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At one point in time, Ben Simmons was one of the most valuable players in the entire NBA when it came to trade value. Simmons was an All-NBA player, one of the league’s elite defenders, and had just made his third All-Star game before his max rookie extension even kicked in.
He then proceeded to miss the entire 2021-22 season with a back issue and some hurt feelings. In the three seasons since, he’s played just 88 combined games while averaging 6.6 points, 6.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game all while shooting an almost unbelievable 0.0 percent from beyond-the-arc. Oh, and did we mention that he’s making $40.3 million this season.
Which is all to say that Simmons just does not have much value around the league these days. However, it appears someone forgot to relay that message to Simmons himself.
Ben Simmons Wants The Nets To Buy Him Out So That He Can Sign With A Contender
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports that Simmons is seeking a buyout from the 15-33 Brooklyn Nets in hopes that he could then sign with a contender for the rest of the season.
“There has been some talk amongst teams that Ben Simmons will approach the Brooklyn Nets for a buyout to join a playoff-contending team,” Siegel reports. “League sources told ClutchPoints around the holiday season that the Nets were not interested in a buyout with Simmons. It seems like this situation will come down to whether Simmons approaches the team about one, something that has yet to be discussed between the two parties.”
Honestly, Brooklyn buying Simmons out wouldn’t be the worst idea. They gain nothing from having him around and are on the hook for his money either way. Maybe a buyout would allow them to save a bit of cash depending on the terms.
But that’s just one side of the equation. Why is the world would any contending team want Ben Simmons? According to Basketball Reference, Simmons has a -1.2 box plus-minus this season. He actively makes his team worse when he’s on the floor. There’s no logical reason for a contending team to add him to their mix.
That’s not even accounting for Simmons’ questionable attitude off the court. Who knows if he gets bought out? But if he doesn’t, you shouldn’t expect a long line of teams just waiting to sign him. And neither should he.