According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Brooklyn Nets have bought out Ben Simmons’ contract. Simmons was on an expiring contract, being owed $40.3 million.

Despite buying out his contract, the Nets will not be impacted for their salary cap purposes for the summer of 2025. In addition to this news, Brooklyn is projected to have a league-high $50 million-plus cap space this offseason.

For Simmons, because he has made more than the equivalent of the Non-Taxpayer MLE on his current contract, the 28-year-old cannot sign with any team over the tax apron.

The Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets are all teams that can’t sign Simmons.

While the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors aren’t included on that list, they can’t sign a veteran on the minimum due to being so tight to the first apron.

The good news for Simmons is that there are only nine teams he can’t sign with; there are still 21 teams that could look into acquiring his services.

Three teams to watch out for are the Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers. Per Chris Haynes’ report, the former Rookie of the Year has meetings with all three organizations to determine if both sides would be a compatible match and potentially sign a deal.

In 33 games this season, Simmons averages 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists.

Ben Simmons Out For Remainder Of Season

The Brooklyn Nets have announced they are shutting down Ben Simmons for the remainder of the season due to a lower back impingement. This injury forced Simmons into only playing 15 games.

Between this season and last, he’s played a combined 57 games. The last time the 27-year-old point forward played was on February 26th; this is when he put up four points, six rebounds, and three assists in 14 minutes.

Per the organization, this move was made for his long-term health and hopes working with their medical team will help Simmons greatly.

While fans are already disappointed in his tenure with Brooklyn, it gets slightly worse. Joe Tsai has spent roughly $73.3 million on Simmons, only to have him appear in 57 games in two seasons.

Ben Simmons (Back) Out At Least Another Week

The Brookyln Nets will continue to be without their 27-year-old small forward for another week due to his pinched nerve in the back.

Per the team, Ben Simmons’s reevaluation period had good news and bad news. The good news? He has started light individual on-court work, but the back issue will force him into another week of recovery.

Brooklyn will announce another update in 7-10 days.