Ben Simmons has agreed to a
contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets, making him an unrestricted
free agent. Following the buyout, Simmons intends to sign with the
Los Angeles Clippers, according to news broken by ESPN’s Shams
Charania.

Simmons would now join and be
teammates with Clippers guard James Harden, the player for whom he
was traded two years ago when he was with the Sixers.

Simmons’ time with the Nets was
marred by injuries, including back issues and surgeries, limiting
his playing time to just 57 of 191 games since his trade to
Brooklyn. This season, he played in 33 of 51 games, averaging 6.2
points, 6.9 assists, and 5.2 rebounds as a backup point
guard. 

The buyout is expected to free
up a roster spot and cap space for the Nets, with the possibility
of converting some of their players’ two-way contracts to 
standard deals.

Simmons signing with LA aims to
bolster the Clippers’ defense and playmaking capabilities as they
pursue a playoff spot.