G Ben Simmons is released by the Nets and signed by the Clippers

Two days after the Brooklyn Nets decided to buy out Ben Simmons’ contract and discharge the point guard, the Los Angeles Clippers signed him on Monday.

The Clippers did not disclose the details of his contract. Simmons, 28, was making $40.3 million this season as part of a five-year, $177.2 million contract when he was released by Brooklyn, after a dismal, injury-plagued three-year tenure with the team.

After being acquired in the five-player trade that sent James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers, Simmons, a three-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year, joined the Nets on February 10, 2022.

In addition to providing Los Angeles with length on defense from the backcourt, Simmons, who is 6′ 10″, will now be Harden’s teammate and provide extra assistance at point guard.

Simmons averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in 25.4 minutes per game during his 90 appearances (69 starts) with the Nets. This season, he participated in 33 of those games.

His performance in Brooklyn fell short of what he endured when playing for the 76ers, who selected him with the first overall choice in 2016.

The native Australian averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 275 games with the Sixers.

He missed two whole seasons with the Sixers: 2021–22 due to a back ailment and a holdout, and 2016–17 due to injuries. He has had back problems all of his career.