New York (AFP) – Three-time NBA All-Star forward Ben Simmons of Australia was released by the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, freeing him to reportedly join the Los Angeles Clippers. The 28-year-old Aussie, who has started only 69 games over the past four seasons, has struggled with back injuries since joining the Nets in a deal with Philadelphia after he missed the entire 2021-22 campaign.
Simmons has averaged 6.2 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.2 rebounds a game over 33 appearances with Brooklyn this season and connected on 54.7% of his shots from the floor. He has career averages of 13.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals in 365 career NBA games, his best numbers coming during his first four seasons while in Philadelphia.
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According to multiple reports, Simmons arranged a contract buyout deal that will leave him a free agent once he clears waivers, and he is expected to sign with the Clippers. Simmons, who was traded to Brooklyn in a deal that sent James Harden to Philadelphia, would play alongside Harden with the Clippers.
At 28-23, the Clippers rank seventh in the Western Conference. Simmons would help bolster the Clippers after swingman Terance Mann was traded to Atlanta in a deal that sent Serbian swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic to Los Angeles.
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