Ben Simmons sets sights on NBA title as $280m Nets nightmare all but over

Aussie basketball star Ben Simmons is on the lookout for a new team and it could result in him winning an unlikely NBA title.

Ben Simmons is about to be on the move again as he is reportedly set to reach a buyout agreement with the Brooklyn Nets.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst, Simmons and the Nets – where he has played the last three years – are “finalising a contract buyout.”

A buyout would see Simmons and the Nets mutually agree to a release, in which the Australian forgoes a portion of his salary.

At the start of the season, a buyout appeared highly unlikely, with Simmons expected not to be willing to give up any portion of his whopping $40.3 million salary.

Simmons was playing the last of his five-year, $177.2 million ($A280m) deal that he originally signed with the 76ers in July 2019.

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He moved to Brooklyn in 2022 after the Nets aquired the deal and in return sent

James Harden to Philadelphia in a move that rocked the NBA world.

But three years on with the Nets struggling and Simmons largely playing off the bench, it is expected the three-time All-Star will opt to join a contender where he could contribute immediately and potentially earn a new contract in doing so.

And because Simmons is no longer trade-eligible before the expiry of his contract, the Nets have reportedly decided to reach an agreement with the basketballer so they could continue their rebuild without his bumper salary on the books.

Brooklyn (17-34) can also give more minutes to younger players while even potentially reaping the rewards of better draft lottery positioning.

Ben Simmons is reportedly set to reach a buyout agreement with the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

As for Simmons, it allows him to explore opportunities with NBA title contenders, who are after a player with big upside.

The 28-year-old is reportedly set to meet with the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday (AEDT) as he seeks to lock down a new home.

The three-time All-Star’s output has fallen off in recent years after struggling with back injuries and several injury setbacks.

He played just 15 games for Brooklyn last season and 42 games in 2022-23 after he didn’t play a single game during the 2021-22 campaign.

The Aussie hasn’t reached the 60-game mark for a season – a mark hit by most NBA starters – since 2018-19.

Simmons is also only averaging 6.2 points (54.7% FG), 6.9 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game this season.

But despite those concerns, he will be a headline name on the buyout market and is expected to join a team with serious title credentials.

Ben Simmons has struggled with injuries throughout his NBA career. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

So where does Ben Simmons land?

The Clippers, Rockets and Cavaliers are the three teams who have been linked with Simmons since the news broke of his impending Nets exit, all of which make sense for various reasons.

The Clippers moving for Simmons makes a lot of sense given Los Angeles just traded the primary playmaker from its second unit, Kevin Porter Jr.

If Simmons were to land at the Clippers, he would also link up with fellow Australian Patty Mills, who was traded to Los Angeles before the deadline.

While the Cavs are genuine title contenders and on the lookout for more firepower. The Eastern Conference leaders are looking at bringing in reinforcements and Simmons has reportedly caught their eye.

Ben Simmons is in search of a new club. (Photo by Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Cleveland’s focus is understood to be on adding a more traditional big, but the like of Simmons is sure to be tempting given he is a low-risk and high-upside player and has the potential to help take them to the title.

Simmons could seamlessly slot in as the backup point centre and would like a glove into Cleveland’s offence, which plays with high pace, an area Simmons excels in.

The other serious contender who could make a play for Simmons is the Rockets.

After losing chief ball handler Fred VanVleet to an ankle injury, Houston need someone to take the ball up, a role Simmons could fill if he joined the Rockets.

However, Houston’s main problem has been putting up enough points, especially from the 3-point range.

And if that is an area of improvement they are seeking to make, Simmons isn’t the right fit.

- with Fox Sports Australia

Originally published as Ben Simmons sets sights on NBA title as $280m Nets nightmare all but over