Nets players react to Ben Simmons buyout after former All-Star signs with Clippers
02/09/2025 02:48 PM
Ben Simmons’ disappointing Brooklyn Nets tenure came to a close this weekend. The three-time All-Star agreed to a contract buyout on Saturday, after which he signed a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“We appreciatehistimeandhisworkwiththegroup. Nowit’stimeforbothsidestomoveonandseewhatwegothere,” said Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez. “Sowe’reexcitedwithagroupofguyswehave. Obviously,wewishhimluckandthebestforhimandhisfamily.Andnow we’re focusingonthisgroup.”
Simmons’ departure comes three years after he joined the Nets in a blockbuster trade that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers. The former No. 1 pick joined a Brooklyn squad with championship aspirations alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, after sitting out the entire 2021-22 season due to a back injury and mental health issues, he never approached his All-Star form with Brooklyn.
Ben Simmons buyout leaves tanking Nets with hole at point guard
Simmons appeared in 90 games over three seasons with the Nets while battling numerous back injuries. He averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists and never appeared in a playoff game. His offensive passivity, which gained nationwide attention during the 76ers’ second-round loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 playoffs, continued to trend in the wrong direction.
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound point guard attempted 5.3 fields and 1.1 free throws per game as a Net. His per 36-minute averages in both categories have declined every season of his NBA career.
The healthiest and most productive basketball of Simmons’ Nets tenure came during this year’s tanking campaign. After two seasons cut short by back injuries, he’s on pace to appear in 53 games, his most since his last season in Philadelphia. The Aussie was productive after replacing Dennis Schroder as Brooklyn’s starting point guard, averaging 7.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists in 27.0 minutes per game over his last 14 appearances.
“We’ll misshaving Ben around,” said Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe. Hebroughtalotofchemistryforus. Settingupstuffoffthecourtforus,gettingtheteam bonding together, playingcardswiththem. I’ll miss him onthecourt. Talkingondefense, passingtheball,runningthecourthard, getting ustoplayhard,justtheenergythathebrought.Sowe’re gonnamissit a lot.”
Simmons joins a Clippers team headlined by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. The change will allow him to play meaningful basketball as he attempts to prove his value to NBA front offices ahead of his impending free agency this summer. Los Angeles currently sits seventh in the Western Conference standings.
For the Nets, Simmons’ departure continues a roster teardown as the team angles for a top draft pick. D’Angelo Russell will continue to see a feature role as Brooklyn’s starting point guard. But with Cam Thomas sidelined by a hamstring injury, Fernandez is left with Keon Johnson, Trendon Watford and Reece Beekman as primary ball-handler options in the second unit.
“Ben is Ben, andnow,whoeverplays [point guard],yougottatrytobeyourself,” the head coach said. “It’sonmetofigureitout,figureoutwhat’sbestforthegroup.Obviously,having somebodythatcangetthisorganizedisimportant. Also, having enoughsizetoreboundanddocertainthings in thisleagueisvery,veryimportantaswell.SoIthinkwe’vedoneitbefore.Wediditlastgame.And,yeah,I’mnotworriedaboutit becausethat’s myjob.”
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