Brooklyn Nets Agree To Buy Out Ben Simmons' Contract, Making Him A Free Agent

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The Brooklyn Nets and Ben Simmons have mutually agreed to part ways, finalising a contract buyout on Saturday. This decision makes Simmons, the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, a free agent. The Nets acquired him from the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2022 as part of the trade involving James Harden. At that time, Simmons had already requested a trade from Philadelphia in August 2021.

Shortly after joining the Nets, Simmons was diagnosed with a herniated disk in his back. This marked the start of his injury troubles in Brooklyn. He missed the entire season following his trade and underwent back surgery in May 2022. Despite returning for the 2022-23 season opener, he played only 90 out of 216 games before his departure.

Simmons' performance with Brooklyn was notably different from his time with Philadelphia. During his stint with the Nets, he averaged 6.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game. In contrast, while playing for the 76ers from 2017 to 2021, he posted averages of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists over 275 games.

The Australian player’s tenure with Brooklyn was marred by injuries and limited court appearances. His initial absence from Philadelphia's lineup stemmed from his trade request and subsequent health issues after joining the Nets. Now at age 28, Simmons is looking for new opportunities as he enters free agency.

This buyout concludes a challenging chapter for both Simmons and the Nets. As he moves forward in his career, teams will likely weigh his past performances against recent injury concerns when considering him for future roles on their rosters.