Ben Simmons’ 3 NBA buyout suitors, ranked by where he can actually make an impact
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images Let’s rank the best destinations for Ben Simmons on the buyout market. It looked like Ben Simmons’ days as an NBA player were numbered. After missing the entire 2021-2022 season with a back injury following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons returned to play only 43 games during the 2022-23 season and just 15 games during the 2023-24 campaign last year. Simmons has gotten his career back on track to some extent this season, starting 24 games for the Nets in his 33 total appearances. Brooklyn waived Simmons one day after the 2025 NBA trade deadline on Friday, and suitors are already lining up for his services. The Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Houston Rockets are reportedly interested in signing Simmons after he was bought out by Brooklyn. Simmons needs a smaller role these days as his body has started to break down after chronic back injuries, but he’s been effective enough in limited minutes that playoff teams want him on board. Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game this season on 56.2 percent true shooting. He’s still terrified to get fouled (he’s attempted 26 total free throws this year) which limits his effectiveness, but he’s capable of channeling his First-Team All-Defense past in short spurts. It’s wild to think Simmons is still only 28 years old. Let’s rank the suitors for Simmons by where he could actually have an impact on winning in the playoffs. 3. Houston Rockets The Rockets might not have a tried-and-true superstar yet (though Amen Thompson might be turning into one), but Houston does have one of the deepest rotations in the Western Conference. At the forward spots alone, the Rockets can throw out Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore, Jae’Sean Tate, or slide Thompson to the three. Simmons’ defensive ability makes him a good fit for an Ime Udoka roster. Houston’s defense is No. 4 in the NBA this year with so many big, physical defenders who can hound the ball. That’s still Simmons’ game at his best, and Udoka is the type of super intense coach who might be able to get the most out of him. I just worry that Simmons won’t actually be able to break into the rotation here. Udoka sets such a high standard of excellence, and already has so many options he can go to at the forward spots. The Rockets are a bad shooting team, ranking No. 28 in both three-point rate and three-point percentage. Simmons is a total non-shooter who will only make their spacing worse. Signing Simmons would be nice injury insurance, and there are certainly playoff matchups where he could come in handy, but I like Houston’s rotation as it is. 2. Los Angeles Clippers The Clippers looked like they were about to be Western Conference doormats when Paul George left in free agency for the Philadelphia 76ers and Kawhi Leonard was ruled out at start the season with more knee injury maintenance. LA was able to remodel its roster with athletic defenders after George left, and when Norm Powell had a career-year as a scorer at age-31, the Clippers were right back in the Western Conference playoff mix. At 28-23 overall after the trade deadline, the Clippers are currently the No. 7 seed in the West. LA’s defense is already elite, ranking No. 3 in the league, and adding Simmons would double-down on their identity. He would be great injury insurance for when Leonard inevitably is ruled out of a play-in or playoff game with an injury. The Clippers have room for another defender after trading Terance Mann to the Hawks for Bogdan Bogdanovic at the deadline. Ty Lue is an elite head coach who could get the best out of Simmons. I’m guessing Simmons wouldn’t mind living in Los Angeles. I’m just a little worried about the Clippers’ spacing with Simmons. They’re only No. 23 in the league in three-point rate, and while adding Bogdanovic and getting Leonard healthy will help, this is still a team that would have a bit of a shooting deficit with Simmons on the floor. The Clippers are a good option for Simmons, but they’re not quite the best. 1. Cleveland Cavaliers The Cavs are the best story in basketball this year. Head coach Kenny Atkinson was hired over the offseason, and immediately worked wonders getting this group out to a 15-0 start. Cleveland is likely to be the No. 1 seed in the East heading into the playoffs barring a second-half collapse or a massive surge from the Celtics. Cleveland made a nice move to bolster its wing depth at the trade deadline by acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Hawks. The trade makes it clear the Cavs think they can win the title this year. Adding Simmons would be beneficial for situational playoff matchups even if he wouldn’t be expected to play a huge role. If we get the Cavs-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals everyone is waiting for, Simmons could come in handy guarding Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Cleveland couldn’t play him with both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley
Let’s rank the best destinations for Ben Simmons on the buyout market.
It looked like Ben Simmons’ days as an NBA player were numbered. After missing the entire 2021-2022 season with a back injury following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons returned to play only 43 games during the 2022-23 season and just 15 games during the 2023-24 campaign last year.
Simmons has gotten his career back on track to some extent this season, starting 24 games for the Nets in his 33 total appearances. Brooklyn waived Simmons one day after the 2025 NBA trade deadline on Friday, and suitors are already lining up for his services.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Houston Rockets are reportedly interested in signing Simmons after he was bought out by Brooklyn. Simmons needs a smaller role these days as his body has started to break down after chronic back injuries, but he’s been effective enough in limited minutes that playoff teams want him on board.
Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game this season on 56.2 percent true shooting. He’s still terrified to get fouled (he’s attempted 26 total free throws this year) which limits his effectiveness, but he’s capable of channeling his First-Team All-Defense past in short spurts. It’s wild to think Simmons is still only 28 years old.
Let’s rank the suitors for Simmons by where he could actually have an impact on winning in the playoffs.
3. Houston Rockets
The Rockets might not have a tried-and-true superstar yet (though Amen Thompson might be turning into one), but Houston does have one of the deepest rotations in the Western Conference. At the forward spots alone, the Rockets can throw out Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore, Jae’Sean Tate, or slide Thompson to the three.
Simmons’ defensive ability makes him a good fit for an Ime Udoka roster. Houston’s defense is No. 4 in the NBA this year with so many big, physical defenders who can hound the ball. That’s still Simmons’ game at his best, and Udoka is the type of super intense coach who might be able to get the most out of him.
I just worry that Simmons won’t actually be able to break into the rotation here. Udoka sets such a high standard of excellence, and already has so many options he can go to at the forward spots. The Rockets are a bad shooting team, ranking No. 28 in both three-point rate and three-point percentage. Simmons is a total non-shooter who will only make their spacing worse.
Signing Simmons would be nice injury insurance, and there are certainly playoff matchups where he could come in handy, but I like Houston’s rotation as it is.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers looked like they were about to be Western Conference doormats when Paul George left in free agency for the Philadelphia 76ers and Kawhi Leonard was ruled out at start the season with more knee injury maintenance. LA was able to remodel its roster with athletic defenders after George left, and when Norm Powell had a career-year as a scorer at age-31, the Clippers were right back in the Western Conference playoff mix.
At 28-23 overall after the trade deadline, the Clippers are currently the No. 7 seed in the West. LA’s defense is already elite, ranking No. 3 in the league, and adding Simmons would double-down on their identity. He would be great injury insurance for when Leonard inevitably is ruled out of a play-in or playoff game with an injury.
The Clippers have room for another defender after trading Terance Mann to the Hawks for Bogdan Bogdanovic at the deadline. Ty Lue is an elite head coach who could get the best out of Simmons. I’m guessing Simmons wouldn’t mind living in Los Angeles.
I’m just a little worried about the Clippers’ spacing with Simmons. They’re only No. 23 in the league in three-point rate, and while adding Bogdanovic and getting Leonard healthy will help, this is still a team that would have a bit of a shooting deficit with Simmons on the floor. The Clippers are a good option for Simmons, but they’re not quite the best.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are the best story in basketball this year. Head coach Kenny Atkinson was hired over the offseason, and immediately worked wonders getting this group out to a 15-0 start. Cleveland is likely to be the No. 1 seed in the East heading into the playoffs barring a second-half collapse or a massive surge from the Celtics.
Cleveland made a nice move to bolster its wing depth at the trade deadline by acquiring De’Andre Hunter from the Hawks. The trade makes it clear the Cavs think they can win the title this year. Adding Simmons would be beneficial for situational playoff matchups even if he wouldn’t be expected to play a huge role.
If we get the Cavs-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals everyone is waiting for, Simmons could come in handy guarding Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Cleveland couldn’t play him with both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley on the floor, but he could fit next to Mobley when the young big slides to center. The Cavs have the spacing to accommodate him: Cleveland is No. 5 in the league in three-point rate, and No. 1 in three-point percentage by making 39.4 percent of their triples.
The Cavs have the No. 1 offense in the league. They are good-not-great on defense with the league’s No. 8 overall unit. Simmons isn’t a game-changer at this stage of his career, but he could help the Cavs in a small role, and that’s worth a buyout signing.
