Ben Simmons To Sign With Los Angeles Clippers

After reaching a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets, Ben Simmons “intends to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after clearing waivers,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Simmons and the Nets agreed to a buyout Saturday afternoon.

Just In: Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons intends to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers after clearing waivers, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/D37Tzmik46

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2025

In 33 appearances this season, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 6.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds. Brooklyn was 5.2 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor, per Cleaning the Glass.

What Simmons Can Provide The Clippers

At this stage of his career, following a slew of injuries sapping a good deal of his explosive athleticism, Simmons is hardly a scorer and is more of a solid defender than the all-world stopper of his Philadelphia 76ers days. He hasn’t averaged more than 6.9 points per game since 2020-21.

Yet he remains an impactful rebounder, playmaker and transition firestarter, adept at snaring boards and pushing the pace to prime teammates for quality looks. Those traits should aid a struggling Clippers offense, which sits 23rd overall and hasn’t taken a major leap since Kawhi Leonard’s season debut five weeks ago (19th during that span).

Los Angeles isn’t flush with outside shooting, hence the decision to acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic earlier this week. But it may be intriguing to see how Simmons can work in tandem alongside the likes of Bogdanovic, Leonard, Norman Powell and James Harden, all of whom tout significant scoring and shooting gravity. Maybe, they help generate easier looks than his Brooklyn teammates could and erase some of his passivity as a scorer. Although, I wouldn’t bank on it, given his longstanding woes in that department.

Having suited up for 33 games already this year, Simmons is tracking to play 52 contests, which would mark his most since 2020-21. That relative durability is an encouraging sign for a Los Angeles club often beset by injuries to key players. The Clippers traded for Drew Eubanks recently, hoping he can shore up their backup center troubles. It’ll be interesting as to whether Simmons gets a crack at those minutes or if they see him as more of a wing/ball-handler.

Los Angeles plays the Utah Jazz Saturday evening before a three-day hiatus ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. That midweek matchup feels like a prime candidate for Simmons to make his City of Angels debut.