Ben Simmons to Meet With Three Playoff Contenders As He Nears Release From Nets

Stephen Douglas | Feb 7, 2025

Ben Simmons warms up before a game earlier this season. / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Ben Simmons era in Brooklyn is coming to a close. The Nets are finalizing a contract buyout that will make Simmons a free agent after three years and 90 games in Brooklyn.

The 28-year old was a three-time All-Star with the Philadlephia 76ers, but has missed a lot of games for various reasons over the last few years and never recaptured the form in Brooklyn that made him a perenial Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Philly.

And yet he already has three meetings set up with playoff teams. ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Simmons will meet with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers, while NBA insider Chris Haynes adds the Houston Rockets to the list.

Ben Simmons is finalizing a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets to become a free agent, sources tell me and @WindhorstESPN. Simmons will meet with the Cavaliers and Clippers starting Friday as he decides his next home. pic.twitter.com/guz2MhmJ5A

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2025

Newly bought-out Ben Simmons will meet with the Clippers, Cavaliers and Rockets today, league sources tell me.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 7, 2025

Simmons is averaging six points, six rebounds and five assists a game this season in 33 appearances. Any team that signs him will be getting a player who, in Simmons's own words from September, is "pretty good."

If he is able to sign with a new team by Sunday it will be just in time to celebrate the two year anniversary of the last time he attempted a three-pointer in an NBA game.

More of the Latest Around the NBA

feed