The Brooklyn Nets are working on a buyout of Ben Simmons’ contract, ESPN reported Thursday.
Simmons is in the final season of a five-year, $177.2 million deal. He is being paid $40.3 million this season.
According to the network, the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in adding Simmons.
Simmons is having a lukewarm season in which he is averaging 6.2 points, 6.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 33 games (24 starts).
Simmons, 28, has dealt with numerous injuries during his career with longstanding back woes being the most troublesome.
The three-time All-Star has career averages of 13.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 365 games (344 starts). The former Rookie of the Year has made just five 3-pointers in 36 attempts during his tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers (2017-21) and Nets (2022-25).
Philadelphia selected Simmons with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
