Ben Simmons, Clippers Agree To Contract

[RealGM Wiretap]

Ben Simmons will join the LA Clippers after he clears waivers. Simmons worked a buyout agreement with the Brooklyn Nets and will join LA, who has an open roster spot after their trade deadline moves.

Simmons joins a Clippers team that is deep in talent, but could use more size. Expect the versatile guard/forward to play multiple roles for LA, as Ty Lue will work Simmons in at a lot of different spots.

The Clippers added Bogdan Bogdanovic, Drew Eubanks, MarJon Beauchamp and Patty Mills in deadline trades. Mills and Simmons have a close relationship, as both are Australians and previously played together on the Nets.

No team in the league has the required cap space to claim Simmons' contract. That will clear him to join the Clippers on a rest-of-season contract.

Via Shams Charania/ESPN

[Luv those Knicks]

Sometimes when a player asks for a buyout and joins the team of his choice, it feels like they're taking the easy way out, or title hunting. In Ben's case, I wish him the best. I never got the sense that he was asking out of his past teams out of selfishness, but because he was unhappy where he was. Even to the point where he was willing to sacrifice an entire year of salary.

Jimmy Butler "If you won't extend my contract, trade me to someone who will"

Ben Simmons "I don't care if I lose money, I'm not happy in this situation. Trade me or I won't play"

I'm more sympathetic to that and I wish him success in Clipper-land and I may even look for some clipper games as a result of this.

[Darthlukey]

Sometimes when a player asks for a buyout and joins the team of his choice, it feels like they're taking the easy way out, or title hunting. In Ben's case, I wish him the best. I never got the sense that he was asking out of his past teams out of selfishness, but because he was unhappy where he was. Even to the point where he was willing to sacrifice an entire year of salary.

Jimmy Butler "If you won't extend my contract, trade me to someone who will"

Ben Simmons "I don't care if I lose money, I'm not happy in this situation. Trade me or I won't play"

I'm more sympathetic to that and I wish him success in Clipper-land and I may even look for some clipper games as a result of this.

It's a few years back now, but I seem to recall the players union fighting the 6ers through arbitration to get a significant portion of his withheld salary back. Make no mistake, simmons wanted to not play and continue to be paid until he was traded

[Luv those Knicks]

Sometimes when a player asks for a buyout and joins the team of his choice, it feels like they're taking the easy way out, or title hunting. In Ben's case, I wish him the best. I never got the sense that he was asking out of his past teams out of selfishness, but because he was unhappy where he was. Even to the point where he was willing to sacrifice an entire year of salary.

Jimmy Butler "If you won't extend my contract, trade me to someone who will"

Ben Simmons "I don't care if I lose money, I'm not happy in this situation. Trade me or I won't play"

I'm more sympathetic to that and I wish him success in Clipper-land and I may even look for some clipper games as a result of this.

It's a few years back now, but I seem to recall the players union fighting the 6ers through arbitration to get a significant portion of his withheld salary back. Make no mistake, simmons wanted to not play and continue to be paid until he was traded

The players union takes on every fight like that, though. No fight is too small for them. And, I think Ben wanted to play, just not for Philly. Not sure what happened there. If the coach got on his nerves. Some of the players? The fans? He didn't like cheese-steaks? Not sure.

[the_process]

Simmons going to the Clippers is the least surprising thing ever.

He's wanted to be in Cali since 16.

[OogaBooga]

When does this guys FMLA run out?

[Pickled Prunes]

Sometimes when a player asks for a buyout and joins the team of his choice, it feels like they're taking the easy way out, or title hunting. In Ben's case, I wish him the best. I never got the sense that he was asking out of his past teams out of selfishness, but because he was unhappy where he was. Even to the point where he was willing to sacrifice an entire year of salary.

Jimmy Butler "If you won't extend my contract, trade me to someone who will"

Ben Simmons "I don't care if I lose money, I'm not happy in this situation. Trade me or I won't play"

I'm more sympathetic to that and I wish him success in Clipper-land and I may even look for some clipper games as a result of this.

It's a few years back now, but I seem to recall the players union fighting the 6ers through arbitration to get a significant portion of his withheld salary back. Make no mistake, simmons wanted to not play and continue to be paid until he was traded

The players union takes on every fight like that, though. No fight is too small for them. And, I think Ben wanted to play, just not for Philly. Not sure what happened there. If the coach got on his nerves. Some of the players? The fans? He didn't like cheese-steaks? Not sure.

The CBA says that if you are under contract with a team, you play for that team or you don't get paid. We can all thank Riley for at least beginning to draw that line in the sand.

[Luv those Knicks]

It's a few years back now, but I seem to recall the players union fighting the 6ers through arbitration to get a significant portion of his withheld salary back. Make no mistake, simmons wanted to not play and continue to be paid until he was traded

The players union takes on every fight like that, though. No fight is too small for them. And, I think Ben wanted to play, just not for Philly. Not sure what happened there. If the coach got on his nerves. Some of the players? The fans? He didn't like cheese-steaks? Not sure.

The CBA says that if you are under contract with a team, you play for that team or you don't get paid. We can all thank Riley for at least beginning to draw that line in the sand.

You realize that the players union challenged the Jimmy Butler suspensions, right? As they should, because it's not like he didn't show up for those games. He was suspended from the team. He missed half a practice and I think he missed a plane flight. How many games did the Heat suspend him for?

I'm not even saying Riley was wrong to do that. It was his prerogative, but what I am saying, is "Pay me now" Butler feels different than "I don't like it here" Simmons. Different motivation.

Ben recouped some of his money, but the amount wasn't released. Butler's case is on-going, and won't be settled for a year or so. I think that players can recoup some of the fines might make it easier to hold out, but none of that changes my point. When Butler learned that Miami wouldn't extend him, he held out for a team that would. He held out for more money. Simmons didn't do that. Simmons held out for a new situation but not more guaranted money. That feels different to me.

It was released that Simmons may have been cliniquely depressed, which was a factor towards my sympathy for him as well.

[Pickled Prunes]

The players union takes on every fight like that, though. No fight is too small for them. And, I think Ben wanted to play, just not for Philly. Not sure what happened there. If the coach got on his nerves. Some of the players? The fans? He didn't like cheese-steaks? Not sure.

The CBA says that if you are under contract with a team, you play for that team or you don't get paid. We can all thank Riley for at least beginning to draw that line in the sand.

You realize that the players union challenged the Jimmy Butler suspensions, right? As they should, because it's not like he didn't show up for those games. He was suspended from the team. He missed half a practice and I think he missed a plane flight. How many games did the Heat suspend him for?

I'm not even saying Riley was wrong to do that. It was his prerogative, but what I am saying, is "Pay me now" Butler feels different than "I don't like it here" Simmons. Different motivation.

Ben recouped some of his money, but the amount wasn't released. Butler's case is on-going, and won't be settled for a year or so. I think that players can recoup some of the fines might make it easier to hold out, but none of that changes my point. When Butler learned that Miami wouldn't extend him, he held out for a team that would. He held out for more money. Simmons didn't do that. Simmons held out for a new situation but not more guaranted money. That feels different to me.

It was released that Simmons may have been cliniquely depressed, which was a factor towards my sympathy for him as well.

A distinction without a difference. It really doesn't matter why these players were refusing to honor their contracts. I also think you are minimizing what Jimmy did. He publicly said he would be a pain in the butt and then went out and did so. He was intentionally sabotaging a team while under contract for this year and next. The team owed him $100m and you think this was OK behavior because they hadn't given him an extension for the 26/27 season? There are currently 220 players that will be free agents in the summer of 2026... should they all throw a hissy fit, or is it only OK for Jimmy. What's the criteria?

You're right, Jimmy might get some money back. He might get all of it back. But I'm not sure why anyone would think that that would be good for the league. I promise you that his teammates in MIA don't want him to see a dollar of it.

[Luv those Knicks]

A distinction without a difference. It really doesn't matter why these players were refusing to honor their contracts. I also think you are minimizing what Jimmy did. He publicly said he would be a pain in the butt and then went out and did so. He was intentionally sabotaging a team while under contract for this year and next. The team owed him $100m and you think this was OK behavior because they hadn't given him an extension for the 26/27 season? There are currently 220 players that will be free agents in the summer of 2026... should they all throw a hissy fit, or is it only OK for Jimmy. What's the criteria?

You're right, Jimmy might get some money back. He might get all of it back. But I'm not sure why anyone would think that that would be good for the league. I promise you that his teammates in MIA don't want him to see a dollar of it.

I don't understand the need to argue. OFCOURSE there's a difference.

Butler held out for an extra 70 million dollars. He wouldn't have said yes to Golden State without that. Simmons lost 20 million because he wanted a different situation, not more money. Maybe he only lost 15 million after the players union negotiated on his behalf, but one thing Simmons never said was "give me more money if you want me to play for you".

And all I said was, I have a lot more sympathy for Simmons. Maybe it's because I know somebody who deals with clinical depression and it's very debilitating. I never said what you imply, that all 220 players should do this. Though it would be funny if that happened. hehe.

[Pickled Prunes]

A distinction without a difference. It really doesn't matter why these players were refusing to honor their contracts. I also think you are minimizing what Jimmy did. He publicly said he would be a pain in the butt and then went out and did so. He was intentionally sabotaging a team while under contract for this year and next. The team owed him $100m and you think this was OK behavior because they hadn't given him an extension for the 26/27 season? There are currently 220 players that will be free agents in the summer of 2026... should they all throw a hissy fit, or is it only OK for Jimmy. What's the criteria?

You're right, Jimmy might get some money back. He might get all of it back. But I'm not sure why anyone would think that that would be good for the league. I promise you that his teammates in MIA don't want him to see a dollar of it.

I don't understand the need to argue. OFCOURSE there's a difference.

Butler held out for an extra 70 million dollars. He wouldn't have said yes to Golden State without that. Simmons lost 20 million because he wanted a different situation, not more money. Maybe he only lost 15 million after the players union negotiated on his behalf, but one thing Simmons never said was "give me more money if you want me to play for you".

And all I said was, I have a lot more sympathy for Simmons. Maybe it's because I know somebody who deals with clinical depression and it's very debilitating. I never said what you imply, that all 220 players should do this. Though it would be funny if that happened. hehe.

I also have more sympathy for Simmons, he clearly was dealing with something long before he passed up that layup... but breach of contract is breach of contract. Simmons was refusing to get help for a while, and he definitely could have practiced with the team. So while he was clearly going through something personally, he was also refusing to do things for himself or for the team. He was angry above all else.

My neighbor's kid was killed when he was 18. He was walking to work and an old lady ran a red and hit him in a crosswalk. She got nothing more that a traffic ticket because the DA felt bad for her and wouldn't press charges. She kept her license and didn't even get traffic school. I would have gotten involuntary manslaughter. The law is the law and justice should be blind. How it hits us emotionally shouldn't matter.

[Luv those Knicks]

I also have more sympathy for Simmons, he clearly was dealing with something long before he passed up that layup... but breach of contract is breach of contract. Simmons was refusing to get help for a while, and he definitely could have practiced with the team. So while he was clearly going through something personally, he was also refusing to do things for himself or for the team. He was angry above all else.

My neighbor's kid was killed when he was 18. He was walking to work and an old lady ran a red and hit him in a crosswalk. She got nothing more that a traffic ticket because the DA felt bad for her and wouldn't press charges. She kept her license and didn't even get traffic school. I would have gotten involuntary manslaughter. The law is the law and justice should be blind. How it hits us emotionally shouldn't matter.

I'm not sure where I stand on charging an 80 year old driver with manslaughter, but that lady should certainly have lost her license.

. . . it's situations like that that make me glad I'm not a judge. Some judgement calls are difficult.

That said, this is what I wrote in response to this thread

Sometimes when a player asks for a buyout and joins the team of his choice, it feels like they're taking the easy way out, or title hunting. In Ben's case, I wish him the best. I never got the sense that he was asking out of his past teams out of selfishness, but because he was unhappy where he was. Even to the point where he was willing to sacrifice an entire year of salary.

Jimmy Butler "If you won't extend my contract, trade me to someone who will"

Ben Simmons "I don't care if I lose money, I'm not happy in this situation. Trade me or I won't play"

I'm more sympathetic to that and I wish him success in Clipper-land

and this is what you wrote just now on Simmons

I also have more sympathy for Simmons, he clearly was dealing with something long before he passed up that layup... but breach of contract is breach of contract.

I never said it wasn't breach of contract, because of course it was. I still find Ben much easier to root for than most players who force trades or join teams while ring hunting. I don't think we're that far apart on our views on this.

[Pickled Prunes]

I also have more sympathy for Simmons, he clearly was dealing with something long before he passed up that layup... but breach of contract is breach of contract. Simmons was refusing to get help for a while, and he definitely could have practiced with the team. So while he was clearly going through something personally, he was also refusing to do things for himself or for the team. He was angry above all else.

My neighbor's kid was killed when he was 18. He was walking to work and an old lady ran a red and hit him in a crosswalk. She got nothing more that a traffic ticket because the DA felt bad for her and wouldn't press charges. She kept her license and didn't even get traffic school. I would have gotten involuntary manslaughter. The law is the law and justice should be blind. How it hits us emotionally shouldn't matter.

I'm not sure where I stand on charging an 80 year old driver with manslaughter, but that lady should certainly have lost her license.

. . . it's situations like that that make me glad I'm not a judge. Some judgement calls are difficult.

That said, this is what I wrote in response to this thread

Sometimes when a player asks for a buyout and joins the team of his choice, it feels like they're taking the easy way out, or title hunting. In Ben's case, I wish him the best. I never got the sense that he was asking out of his past teams out of selfishness, but because he was unhappy where he was. Even to the point where he was willing to sacrifice an entire year of salary.

Jimmy Butler "If you won't extend my contract, trade me to someone who will"

Ben Simmons "I don't care if I lose money, I'm not happy in this situation. Trade me or I won't play"

I'm more sympathetic to that and I wish him success in Clipper-land

and this is what you wrote just now on Simmons

I also have more sympathy for Simmons, he clearly was dealing with something long before he passed up that layup... but breach of contract is breach of contract.

I never said it wasn't breach of contract, because of course it was. I still find Ben much easier to root for than most players who force trades or join teams while ring hunting. I don't think we're that far apart on our views on this.

What you said is:

...what I am saying, is "Pay me now" Butler feels different than "I don't like it here" Simmons.

What I said is:

A distinction without a difference. It really doesn't matter why these players were refusing to honor their contracts.

At the time I didn't know which one you thought was worse, but I still don't think it matters. If Simmons wanted to get paid he should have been with the team, working through his stuff. Instead he tried to pull a Harden in HOU and failed. (Another guy that should have been suspended, but that was short lived.) If Jimmy wanted to get paid, he should have left it all on the floor and proven why he was worth it. Both had different motivations; both were in breach of contract.

I have no problem with anyone rooting for any of these guys. Have at it.

[Luv those Knicks]

Then lets disagree on the meanings of the terms, distinction and difference.

I thought I was very clear which one I thought was worse.