NBA Fans React to Ben Simmons’ First Performance in Clippers-Jazz
The LA Clippers took a chance on 28-year-old point guard Ben Simmons in the buyout market, signing the forgotten three-time All-Star for the remainder of the season. Simmons won NBA Rookie of the Year then followed it up with three consecutive All-Star appearances, but has not been the same since.
Simmons has battled through injuries throughout his career but arrives in LA on a mission to revive his legacy. The 6-foot-10 point guard made his Clippers debut on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, shocking many with an impressive performance.
Through 27 minutes of action, Simmons dropped 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals to help the Clippers avoid a road upset against the Jazz. Many fans took to social media to react to his impressive debut.
Via Justin W.: “Ben Simmons has changed this game. My word.”
Ben Simmons has changed this game. My word.
Via Clip City: “Ben Simmons has exceeded my expectations wow he is playing FANTASTIC”
Ben Simmons has exceeded my expectations wow he is playing FANTASTIC
Via Ralph Lawler: “I really like what I’m seeing of Ben Simmons for the Clippers tonight at Utah.”
I really like what I’m seeing of Ben Simmons for the Clippers tonight at Utah.
The Clippers starting backcourt of Norman Powell and James Harden combined for 73 points, but Simmons came in off the bench to provide a huge impact. Simmons showcased his two-way versatility on Thursday night, truly making a difference on both sides of the ball.
Many questioned what version of Ben Simmons the Clippers signed, but they certainly got a good one.
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Logan Struck is a writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated’s On SI since 2023
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Logan Struck | 21 Hours Ago
Nets buy out Ben Simmons; move to Clippers next, sources say
Ben Simmons has agreed to a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets and intends to sign with the LA Clippers after clearing waivers, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Saturday.
A three-time All-Star, Simmons joins the Clippers as a high-upside addition in the buyout field. The Clippers have had tremendous success on the buyout market in recent years, with productive stints from Russell Westbrook, Nicolas Batum and Reggie Jackson.
Simmons, 28, has spent three seasons in Brooklyn since he was acquired in a deal that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers. He has dealt with a variety of injuries in those years and has played more than 40 games just once with the Nets. In leaving the franchise, he gave back $1.1 million, the prorated minimum contract, in his buyout, sources told Charania.
Simmons now will team up with Harden in Los Angeles for a Clippers team that entered play Saturday seventh in the Western Conference standings after dropping three straight.
This season, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 25 minutes per game. He figures to give the Clippers another much-needed playmaker and ball handler who can help alleviate some of the pressure on Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers also added Bogdan Bogdanovic this week to help create more offense and shotmaking for a team that has exceeded expectations this season because of its stingy defense. The Clippers traded Terance Mann to Atlanta as part of the deal that landed Bogdanovic. At 6-foot-10, Simmons can be the Swiss Army knife-like utility player that Mann was supposed to be for coach Ty Lue this season.
The Clippers will certainly hope that Simmons will be able to create more shots for teammates, be another defender with size and help on the glass as they continue to push for a top-six spot in the playoffs after the All-Star break.
Simmons is in the final year of a five-year, maximum contract he signed with the Sixers. He’s set to hit free agency this summer. In addition to the Clippers, Simmons also met with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk contributed to this report.
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Sources: Simmons nears buyout, eyes Cavs, Clips
6d
Sixers Explored Signing Ben Simmons After Buyout
FEB 14, 2025 1:20 PM
Ben Simmons signed with the Los Angeles Clippers following his buyout agreement with the Brooklyn Nets. Simmons also received interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets.
Jake Fischer reports that the Philadelphia 76ers also had some level of interest in signing Simmons. The Sixers traded Simmons at the 2022 trade deadline for James Harden. Simmons had a prolonged holdout in hopes of a trade from the Sixers that season following a disappointing second round series against the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 playoffs.
In 33 games with the Nets this season, Simmons averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 25.0 minutes. Simmons has appeared in one game with the Clippers, scoring 12 points to go with eight rebounds, six assists and three steals in 27 minutes.
“I think Philadelphia sniffed around on Ben Simmons,” said Fischer on his NBA Insider Notebook. “I really do.”
JAKE FISCHER/BLEACHER REPORT
TAGS: BEN SIMMONS, LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS, PHILADELPHIA SIXERS, BROOKLYN NETS, NBA, NBA SIGNING RUMOR, NBA MISC RUMOR
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