Huge News Regarding Nets' Ben Simmons Reported On Friday
Ben Simmons, who has not played for the Brooklyn Nets since the middle of February due to knee and back injuries, and his representation, Klutch Sports Group, have mutually agreed to part ways, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
Simmons, 26, has been represented by Klutch Sports and Rich Paul ever since he was drafted first overall in 2016 by the Philadelphia 76ers. In 2019, Paul and his agency helped negotiate a five-year, $177 million deal that Simmons is currently in the midst of.
Ever since the 2020-21 season, a year in which Ben Simmons made the All-Star Game for the third consecutive time, things have not been the same for him.
The Brooklyn Nets acquired Simmons from the 76ers in the trade involving James Harden during the 2021-22 season and since coming to Brooklyn, the three-time All-Star has struggled.
Playing in just 42 total games with the Nets, Simmons has averaged 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor.
Continuing to deal with knee and back soreness this season, head coach Jacque Vaughn gave an update on Ben Simmons' status recently, stating that he's back home in Brooklyn and that the team will continue to evaluate him in the coming weeks leading up to the end of the regular season.
Entering the offseason, the Nets will have a big decision to make in regards to Simmons' future, as the remaining two years of his contract are fully-guaranteed for over $77 million. The former top overall pick will carry a cap hit of $37.9 million into next season for Brooklyn.
While the Nets did entertain the idea of moving Simmons after they traded away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at this past trade deadline, sources told Fastbreak on FanNation that there was little to no interest in Ben Simmons leaguewide and that the Nets would have to add incentives, such as draft picks and young players, in a trade to offload Simmons' contract.
With Simmons cutting ties with Klutch Sports, this could be the first indication that he will look to move on from Brooklyn with new representation guiding him.
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