Clippers Sign Ben Simmons, Work Contract Buyout with Nets

The NBA trade deadline may have passed, but it seems the Clippers aren’t done making moves. While they didn’t bring in any big names or exciting players during the last few days like some of the other teams in the West, they still made a strong deal on Saturday.

The franchise agreed to a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets that will bring ex three-time all star Ben Simmons to Los Angeles. All reports state he will join up with the team once he clears waivers.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The deal is nowhere close to some of the other massive moves that went on before the NBA trade deadline, but it still could go a long way for the Clippers. They’ve had a lot of success going the buyout route over the past few seasons, as it brought them players like Nicolas Batum, Reggie Jackson, and Russell Westbrook.

Getting Simmons is another play that could pay big dividends for little cost. While he’s not the superstar he once was, the 28 year old still has plenty of hustle left in the tank. That’s all the Clippers need at this point in time.

From Coast to Coast

Simmons has played his last three seasons in Brooklyn after being traded by Philadelphia for James Harden. While his athleticism and defense are still strong, he’s largely been hurt since joining the team. In fact, he’s only played more than 40 games in a single season once since going to New York.

The new buyout allows him to give back $1.1 million to Brooklyn, and provides him with the ability to look to the future. He was due to be paid $40 million in the last year of his contract, and also garnered interest from both the Cavaliers and Rockets.

He ultimately decided on Los Angeles, who are currently in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Even if Simmons isn’t going to save the team on his own, the Clippers, who have lost three straight, will surely be happy to add his talents to their roster.

Filling a Key Role

Currently, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in 25 minutes per game. Those numbers are not particularly exciting, but they show that the tall guard can do a little bit of everything. On top of that, he’s still an incredibly strong defensive player.

At 6’9, he’s one of the biggest point guards in the league. That extra size on the wing or the outside of the key will pair incredibly well with Kawhi Leonard’s own incredible defensive ability and greatly hamper opposing guards.

Simmons can score in his own right too. His ability to dive, finish, and kick is valuable for any team, but it should become even more useful when he’s tossing the ball to the likes of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. His smart rebounding will also lead to second chance points.

A Strong Stopper

Though it’s easy to assume the Clippers nabbed Simmons to get another star, they don’t need him to take over. Rather, Los Angeles just needs someone who can fit into the current roster and bring a little more flexibility to their lineup.

Harden and Leonard already have Norman Powell as a solid third, but getting someone else who’s able to provide breaks is a big deal. He’s also a great hustle player, meaning he can keep the energy up when one of the starters goes out.

That’s why so many teams were eager to sign him despite his recent string of injuries. Simmons is a great player on both sides of the ball. The Clippers are great on offense, but getting another big body to bolster their second-ranked defense could go a long way.

Health is the Key

On paper, Simmons is a great fit for the Clippers. He’s sturdy, adds size, and provides depth to a team that needs it. The only concern is his health. He’s still in his prime, but has not been able to stay on the court in past years.

That’s mainly due to a back injury that required surgery, but he suffered a herniated disc and various nerve issues as well.. He underwent a microscopic partial discectomy last March for his pain and now seems to be healthier. Even so, he still has to be careful.

Despite those concerns, his ability to relieve the starters is incredibly important. Harden and Leonard are holding up Los Angeles, and they are both injury prone in their own way. Simmons being able to keep the Clippers in games while giving the two stars a break might be just what they need as they move into the later parts of the season.

Los Angeles knows Simmons could go down at any time. They are only taking on the last year of his contract, so if things go south they aren’t on the hook. If they work out, however, it’s more than likely they will keep him around next season.