Three years in the past, Ben Simmons was traded to the Nets in trade for James Harden within the blockbuster deal of the 2022 NBA commerce deadline.
Now, the 2 are teammates in Hollywood after Simmons signed with the Clippers after he was purchased out by the Nets final weekend.
However the latest member of the Clippers had little interest in discussing the full-circle nature of the entire saga.
“I’m a competitor. I just want to compete,” Simmons mentioned Tuesday. “I don’t know all the bulls–t that is said online. That doesn’t come from me. I want to compete and I’m here to do that. To play alongside some of these great players is gonna be great. I think everyone is just going to push each other to be better. They expect greatness, so that’s my expectation coming to the Clippers.”
Simmons, 28, has been hampered by accidents through the course of his profession, and varied well being points plagued his tenure with the Nets following the commerce with the Sixers in 2022.
Accidents have been such a problem that Simmons hasn’t performed greater than 60 video games in a season since his second yr within the NBA.
Final season, he appeared in simply 15 contests for the Nets.
Simmons performed in 33 video games this yr and averaged 6.2 factors, 6.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 25 minutes per sport.
The guard advised reporters Tuesday the Clippers made him really feel “wanted.”
“I think just speaking to Ty Lue, everyone was just very transparent,” Simmons mentioned. “They know what I’m capable of and what they expect from me… I think it’s easier when teams are transparent and understand what you are, what you need, how they can help, and how I can help them. So for me, I feel comfortable.”
The Clippers shall be again in motion Wednesday after they host the Grizzlies.
