NBA fans thrash $177 million ‘flop’ Ben Simmons’ contract buyout: “Needs to learn Chinese”

Ben Simmons is finalizing a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets causing many fans to question his future in the NBA.

NBA fans thrash $177 million ‘flop’ Ben Simmons’ contract buyout: “Needs to learn Chinese”

Ben Simmons is finalizing a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets

Another team, another failure for Ben Simmons. That is the common sentiment around the league as the Brooklyn Nets and Simmons are finalizing a buyout to become a free agent. In his last four seasons, of which he missed the 2021-22 season due to injury, Simmons has played in just 90 games for the Nets. As he looks ahead to sign with another team, questions remain about his future.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Ben Simmons’ tumultuous tenure with the Brooklyn Nets is coming to an end. After weeks of speculation, Simmons and the Nets are finalizing a buyout, officially severing ties with the former No. 1 overall pick. Once he clears waivers, the 3x All-Star will be free to sign with any team not restricted by the league’s salary apron rules.

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Simmons, who is in the final year of his five-year, $177 million contract, is set to forgo a portion of his remaining $40.3 million salary as part of the buyout agreement. This marks a disappointing end to his Brooklyn stint, where injuries and inconsistency plagued his time on the court. Brooklyn had acquired Simmons in the hopes of pairing him with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but that vision never materialized.

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Over two and a half seasons, In the 90 games that Simmons played, he averaged just 6.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds. These numbers are far from the expected production of a player who was once heralded as the league’s future by scouts and analysts.

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Fans lash out at Ben Simmons after disappointing tenure with Nets

Ben Simmons’ fall from grace has been one of the most dramatic in recent NBA history. After winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2017 and having multiple All-Star selections since then, the former star will once again test free agency waters to determine his future. This has led to many fans calling for Simmons to finally call it a day on a career that once held promises of greatness.

Despite the backlash, Simmons remains a sought-after asset in the buyout market. According to Charania, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers have already scheduled meetings with him, signaling that at least a few teams still believe he can contribute. His defensive versatility and passing ability are still valuable, particularly for teams looking to bolster their bench ahead of a playoff push.

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However, the skepticism remains warranted. Ben Simmons has not played more than 42 games in a season since 2020-21, and his offensive limitations make him a liability in certain lineups. Any team looking to sign the former star will have to weigh in the risk-to-reward ratio of a star that may be unavailable more often than not.