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Ben Simmons Update Announced After Clippers Issue Big Demand

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 2:44 PM ET

On Wednesday, reports surfaced that the Los Angeles Clippers have placed significant conditions on the potential return of Ben Simmons, following a season in which the franchise underwhelmed despite high expectations.

League sources told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto that, beyond their plans for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (MLE), Los Angeles is eyeing a backup point guard and rim-protecting center to bolster depth.

Under that scenario, current backup center Drew Eubanks, who carries a $4.75 million non-guaranteed deal for 2024-25, "is not expected to return," as he could be used "as a salary filler in a trade or waived by the Clippers."

Meanwhile, the statuses of Amir Coffey and Simmons remain "not certain," depending on their respective free-agent markets and roster fit.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Simmons immediately made an impact in Philadelphia, winning NBA Rookie of the Year in 2018 after averaging 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds in his first season with the 76ers.

He then earned three consecutive All-Star nods (2019-2021), made the All-NBA Third Team in 2020 and secured two NBA All-Defensive First Team honors (2020, 2021), leading the league in steals per game (2.1) in 2020.

In February, shortly after being bought out by the Brooklyn Nets and clearing waivers, Simmons inked a one-year, $1.08 million deal with the Clippers.

In his debut on February 13, he posted 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block in a 120-116 overtime win over the Utah Jazz.

The 2024-25 season began with optimism for Los Angeles, led by stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, yet the Clippers once again fell well short of expectations, losing to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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