Ben Simmons, a three-time All-Star, reportedly is expected to sign with the Clippers after clearing waivers Saturday morning, according to multiple sources.
The 6-foot-10 swingman has spent three injury-plagued seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, never appearing in more than 42 games. A lower-back nerve issue has limited his playing time. Simmons averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 25 minutes over 33 games this season.
The former Rookie of the Year gives the Clippers another big body around the perimeter as well as a playmaker and ball handler behind James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Simmons, 28, brings the type of all-around skills that Terance Mann gave the Clippers. Mann was traded to the Atlanta Hawks this week in a deal that brought Bogdan Bogdanovic, who is expected to add more offense to a team that ranks No. 22 offensively in the league.
The Clippers also will be looking for Simmons to be a solid defender and rebounder on their highly rated defense as they aim for a top six spot in the playoffs. The Clippers slipped to No. 7 after losing three consecutive games, most recently a 119-112 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
Simmons is in the final year of a five-year, maximum contract he signed with the Philadelphia Sixers, who made him the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He’s set to hit free agency this summer.
In addition to the Clippers, Simmons also met with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.