The Cavs will reportedly meet with the former top overall pick as he enters the buyout market.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will reportedly meet with former Brooklyn Nets point-forward Ben Simmons once he hits the buyout market according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Ben Simmons is finalizing a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets to become a free agent, sources tell me and @WindhorstESPN. Simmons will meet with the Cavaliers and Clippers starting Friday as he decides his next home. pic.twitter.com/guz2MhmJ5A
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2025
The 28-year-old Simmons has been with the Nets since 2022, attempting to resurrect a career that appeared so promising when he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016. Instead, Simmons has dealt with numerous back injuries and mysterious ailments that caused his play to gradually decline. A nasty holdout in 2021-22 resulted in him being traded and not playing that entire season.
The three-time All-Star is on pace to play in more games this season than he has since 2020-21 when he was still a Sixer, a testament to how difficult it has been since then. Simmons is finally showing some semblance of health, as the Nets exhibited strong caution with his minutes. In 33 games this season, Simmons is averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per contest while shooting 54.7% from the floor (his lowest percentage since 2016-2017).
The Cavs, who now have an open roster spot after trading for De’Andre Hunter, are one of several teams reportedly interested in Simmons’ services. ESPN reports that the Los Angeles Clippers are another team that is set to meet with Simmons, and Joe Vardon of The Athletic says the Houston Rockets will also get to speak to him.
Simmons would slot in as a multi-tooled bench piece for a Cavs team that is already quite deep, but less so after moving Caris LeVert and Georges Niang at the deadline. Simmons’ size (6’10”, 7-foot wingspan), defensive capability, and playmaking prowess make him an interesting option. The Cavs already got bigger on the wing by acquiring Hunter, but the addition of Simmons would only add to that.