Ben Simmons and Klutch Sports have reached an amicable decision to part ways, according to an amicable decision ESPN report.
The struggling Brooklyn Nets star is still playing under the $177 million, five-year contract that Rich Paul’s agency negotiated with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2019.
Since then, Simmons’ once-promising career has plummeted as he drew criticism for his shooting and his inability to compete with fellow NBA stars like Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and former Nets teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
The Nets are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference and have the best chance of reaching the postseason. However, their chances of progressing to the playoffs have suffered since the close, when Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks and Durant was sent to the Phoenix Suns.
Without the two elite players, there has been some speculation that the Nets could shut down Simmons for the remainder of the season as he struggles to regain the form that made him a three-time All-Star from 2019-2021.
Simmons’ once-promising career faltered when he was criticized for his shooting and his inability to compete with fellow NBA stars like Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and now-former Nets teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
Ben Simmons (right) and his then-agent Rich Paul chat at Madison Square Garden in 2016
However, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn appeared to rule out that possibility when speaking to reporters on Thursday, saying there had been “zero” discussions about Simmons’ departure.
“We expect him to come back,” Vaughn told reporters.
Struggling with back and knee problems, Simmons has not been in the Nets’ lineup since Feb. 15.
Always considered one of the better full-backs in the game, the 6-foot-9 Melbourne native has struggled offensively since the 2020-21 season when he took a large part of the blame for Philadelphia’s playoff loss to the Atlanta Hawks took on.
Despite only making 15 of 45 free throws in the series, Simmons was upset at being finger-pointed, according to multiple reports, and decided to demand a trade from Philadelphia the following season.
While fighting problems, Simmons eventually stayed out of the 76ers’ camp amid a bitter standoff between the agency and the team.
As his absence continued into the season, Paul revealed that Simmons struggled with mental health issues.
“Ben has a mental health issue, let’s support him,” Paul told The Athletic at the time. “I’m glad he came to a place where he recognized and accepted help. I understand it’s a business, but even in business you need humanity.
“This isn’t about a trade anymore,” Paul continued. “This is about finding a place where we can help Ben get back to his mental toughness and get back on his feet. I want him to play the game he loves on the floor. I want Ben to be on the ground, whether it’s in a 76ers uniform or any other uniform, that’s not up to me, but I want him to be in a state where he can play again. We want to cooperate and bring him back to earth.’
Simons sat out the remainder of the 2021-22 season with back problems and has since disappointed, playing sporadically for the Nets in 2022-23. Currently, Simmons is averaging just 6.9 points in 26.3 minutes of action per game
The 76ers eventually traded Simmons, Andre Drummond and Seth Curry and two first-round picks to the Nets for James Harden in February 2022, but things didn’t improve.
Simons sat out the remainder of the 2021-22 season with back problems and has since disappointed, playing sporadically for the Nets in 2022-23.
Currently, Simmons is averaging just 6.9 points in 26.3 minutes of action per game.
In addition, his notoriously poor outside shooting hasn’t improved, allowing the defenders to hang on to Simmons and prevent him from navigating the lane.
Paul, singer Adele’s boyfriend, is a longtime friend of LeBron James, whom he also represents, along with Lakers star Anthony Davis, Warriors forward Draymond Green and Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox.
Klutch Sports founder Rich Paul (C) poses with NBA players Ben Simmons, Tristan Thompson, John Wall and Lebron James and attends Klutch Sports Group’s ‘More Than A Game’ dinner hosted by Remy Martin will be presented on February 17, 2018 at Beauty & Essex Los Angeles