Ben Simmons Is Finally Free From The Nets And The Race To Sign Him Is Officially Underway

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Now that the NBA Trade Deadline is over, we can collectively turn our attention to the Ben Simmons Buyout Sweepstakes. As crazy as that sounds in 2025, I think most expected this to be the first order of business after the deadline because the Nets reaching a buyout with Simmons was the most predictable thing of all time. He's in the final year of his deal ($40M), the Nets have no need for him right now so you may as well cut bait and officially end the Ben Simmons Experience in Brooklyn. To say it was a bit of a disappointment doesn't really do it justice, but it's now time to turn the page and wait to see where he now ends up.

To me, a lot of the issues around Simmons were mostly due to his price. There's still a player who has value somewhere in there whether it's as a playmaker or a defender, but at $40M a year, it's arguably the worst value contract in the NBA. But for the minimum or low MLE money? I think that changes the equation a little bit simply in terms of his value. If you're bringing in Simmons to defend and pass and it costs you virtually nothing for the rest of this season and there's no long term commitment after this year, it's no surprise that teams are interested.

As a reminder, because Simmons made more than $12.8M, that means any 1st or 2nd apron team cannot sign him after this buyout. That eliminates BOS, NYK, MIL, DEN, LAL, MIN, and PHX from the market, even if they may have had a positional need.

So to see teams like LAC, CLE, HOU makes a ton of sense, especially a team like CLE. Their deadline plan is pretty obvious, they are doing their best to load up on big defensive wings given that's probably their #1 weakness and biggest obstacle when it comes to getting over the hump against their matchup nightmare in Boston. It's why we saw them flip LeVert/Niang for De'Andre Hunter and it's why you hear they are in on Simmons. Given how they pass the ball and move without the ball, you don't even really need Simmons scoring to provide value. Just defend wings and pass to open shooters/cutters. 

With a team like HOU, remember Ime was on the Sixers staff in 2019-20, which was a season Simmons was an All Star and made 3rd Team All NBA. A defensive minded team, you can understand why they'd be interested in Simmons as well. It gives them an additional ball handler/creator in addition to FVV, and if they want to get crazy and play Simmons as a small ball 5, you can. Ime probably thinks he can get the most out of Simmons given their past success together. 

The Clippers are a little more confusing, and unless Simmons just wants to live in LA or they give him some sort of indication they'd be interested in keeping him beyond this season, I'm not sure I see where this makes sense for Simmons. Not that his skillset can't help, the Clippers are another defensive minded team, but in terms of the opportunity to play. Kawhi is back, the Clippers traded for Bogdan Bogdanovic, they still have Amir Coffey, Batum, and Derrick Jones Jr. If Simmons wants a situation where he could maybe build his value back up by playing well with a contender in a playoff run, I'm not so sure the Clippers are that team. Barring injury, his path to the court seems more crowded to me with this option.

So while it seems crazy to think a player that has essentially been a non-factor for years now who is still very limited offensively would have a market of contenders knocking down his door to bring him in, you have to always go back to the price and context around the signing. There's zero risk. If he helps you, it's all gravy. If he still shows to be a non-factor, so what? It took low money and little risk to take a chance on the player.

My money is on the Cavs walking away as the winner of this Sweepstakes, mostly because of their style of play, positional need, and pathway to actual playing time. Surely they'll convince themselves things will be different because Simmons is joining THEIR team, and that's the beauty of all of this. 

Eventually, time will tell.