Ben Simmons done with Nets after disastrous tenure, intends to sign with West team

The Nets have confirmed in a press release that they’ve officially requested waivers on Simmons. That means he’ll clear waivers and be free to sign with any NBA team as of Monday at 4 p.m. CT.

That team, according to Charania, is the Los Angeles Clippers.

Simmons, the 2018 Rookie of the Year, made three All-Star teams during his years in Philadelphia and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021, but he had a falling out with the team later that year. A lengthy holdout, a series of back issues and a trade to the Nets changed the trajectory of his career — across the past three years in Brooklyn, he has appeared in just 90 total games, averaging 6.5 points, 6.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds in 25.4 minutes per night.

While Simmons’ extremely limited shooting ability make him a tricky piece to incorporate into certain lineups, he’s still a talented playmaker, defender and rebounder who has more value as a low-cost addition than he did on his previous maximum-salary contract.

Because he was earning far beyond the $12.8M mid-level exception on his contract with the Nets, Simmons was ineligible to sign with any teams operating over either tax apron once he clears waivers. That means the Suns, Timberwolves, Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Bucks and Nuggets weren't options.