Ben Simmons’ time with the Brooklyn Nets appears to be over. The No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft was not with the Nets for their game Friday night against the Miami Heat as the sides work toward a buyout of his contract.

It looked like Ben Simmons’ days as an NBA player were numbered. After missing the entire 2021-2022 season with a back injury following his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons returned to play only 43 games during the 2022-23 season and just 15 games during the 2023-24 campaign last year.

Status: Currently rostered by the Pelicans after he was traded by the Raptors. He is not able to sign with any team currently a team in the luxury tax apron. He is not currently considered a buyout candidate, per Jake Fischer.