INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Ben Simmons opened a brand new chapter with the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, working towards with the crew for the primary time after being waived by the Brooklyn Nets final weekend.
The No. 1 choose within the 2016 draft is anticipated to make his debut both Wednesday at house in opposition to Memphis or Thursday at Utah. He hasn’t performed since Feb. 1.
“I really feel nice, able to go,” Simmons mentioned. “I simply wish to play basketball at a excessive degree and I really feel like that’s going to occur right here.”
He left the Nets, who personal a 19-34 file and are twelfth within the East, for the Clippers, who’re 29-23 and sixth within the West.
“It’s simpler when groups are clear and perceive who you’re and what you want and the way the crew might help and the way I might help them,” Simmons mentioned. “I really feel comfy. I do know a lot of the guys on the crew.”
The 28-year-old Simmons joins a veteran squad led by Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Norman Powell.
“Defensively, it’s so much totally different once you’re on the court docket with a number of vets. It is going to be distinctive having a number of guys like that on the court docket,” Simmons mentioned. “It’s not going to take too lengthy to get a really feel for one another on the ground.”
One in every of his new teammates is fellow Australian Patty Mills, who not too long ago joined the Clippers.
“I’ve recognized Patty since I used to be younger,” mentioned Simmons, who was born in Melbourne. “Having a well-known face like that round helps however the guys have been nice. Everybody has been very welcoming.”
Simmons went to the Nets from Philadelphia in a deal for Harden on the 2022 commerce deadline. However the three-time All-Star was by no means capable of be a part of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the court docket that season after hurting his again attempting to get into form after sitting out the primary half of that season.
The harm issues, principally on account of decrease again nerve harm, continued to restrict Simmons. He made it by way of simply half of the 2022-23 season, throughout which Durant and Irving had been each traded, and performed solely 15 video games final season.
Simmons performed in 33 of the Nets’ 52 video games this season, beginning 24, and averaged 6.2 factors and 6.9 assists.
He was waived by the Nets final Saturday, with the perimeters agreeing to a buyout of his contract. He’s making $40 million this season and is ready to be a free agent afterward.
Coach Tyronn Lue regards Simmons’ arrival as a contemporary begin for the Clippers.
“It’s going to take some time so far as rotations and the way we play guys collectively however from a basketball standpoint, I am form of enthusiastic about it,” he mentioned.
Defensively, Lue expects Simmons to protect one of the best opposing gamers.
“He is up for the problem,” Lue mentioned.
Simmons likes that the Clippers view him as some extent guard first, though he is additionally performed heart at instances.
“For me, that’s actually my place,” he mentioned. “I see the ground, I wish to get my guys simple buckets and management the tempo. On the defensive finish, I wish to be a canine, I would like to have the ability to get stops and put stress on the ball.”
The Clippers made a number of strikes on the commerce deadline, buying Bogdan Bogdanovic, Mills, Drew Eubanks and MarJon Beauchamp.
“I feel everyone seems to be simply going to push one another and be higher and count on greatness,” Simmons mentioned. “That’s my expectation.”
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