Ben Simmons buyout rumors are gaining steam in Brooklyn.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently offered interesting speculation as to who the Cleveland Cavaliers might want on a hypothetical buyout market, which the prospect of Simmons' availability was quickly mentioned. Following this comment, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported Friday afternoon that rumors Simmons could potentially approach the Brooklyn Nets for a buyout soon, in order to join a playoff contender, have picked up across league circles.
Siegel also claims this has yet to be discussed between the two sides, and ClutchPoints previously cited sources saying the Nets and Simmons hold “zero interest” in a buyout agreement. If Simmons approaches the organization, though, that could change quickly.
Today is the final Friday before the NBA trade deadline, and we have a lot to unpack in today's Siegel's Scoop on @ClutchPoints.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) January 31, 2025
The latest intel on Jimmy Butler, De'Aaron Fox, and what will happen with the Warriors regarding Butler and Zach LaVine. https://t.co/381YzIlomk
Should general manager Sean Marks even wait on a request? What do the Nets have to lose that they haven’t already lost (or aren’t willing to give up for a few more ping-pong balls)?
Sure, there’s not a ton of incentive for Brooklyn outside of freeing up a roster spot, but even that would be more beneficial to the future than letting Simmons play out his contract. The Nets don’t gain much from giving him an out, and they also don’t gain much from having him around. Unforgivable amounts of money owed to Simmons become distant memories either way.
Earlier this month, when Marks went all-in the Nets tank by saying the team isn’t making decisions to win the next game, Simmons was sure to respond with public displeasure.
“We’ve got to go in there like we want to win regardless of what the front office is expecting,” Simmons said following Marks’ admission of his intent to lose.
The former No. 1 overall pick has hardly played in three seasons with the Nets, so seeing him take on playoff pressure he actually wanted to finish out this deal would be an interesting spectacle to say the least. If nothing else, a Nets buyout makes it Simmons versus Simmons, instead of Simmons versus a Nets tank.
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound guard has averaged 6.6 points, 6.4 assist and 5.2 rebounds in merely 87 appearances with Brooklyn, compared to career marks of 13.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
We are very carefully sharing this clip from @WindhorstESPN where he talks about the types of players the Cavs COULD be looking for in the buyout market....
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) January 28, 2025
"Two guys who could be bought out that fit that bill are Lonzo Ball and Ben Simmons," - Windy. pic.twitter.com/2efZUgS0mp
Why a serious contender would willingly add Simmons to the fold is a different discussion, but insiders across the league seem to think there’s enough interest for Simmons to get picked up and enter a postseason rotation.
If the Nets continue their pattern of eliminating all threats to their 2025 draft position, Simmons will be one of the next players on a one-way flight out of Brooklyn.