Follow live: Cavs return home, seek to end Warriors streak

Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets have agreed to a contract buyout, reports ESPN. Simmons will meet with the Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers as he decides on which team to sign with post-buyout. Chris Haynes adds that Simmons will also meet with the Houston Rockets.

As Simmons was on an expiring $40.3 million contract, this has no impact on the Nets cap space plans for the summer of 2025. Brooklyn projects to have a league-high $50 million-plus in space this offseason.

Because Simmons made more than the equivalent of the Non-Taxpayer MLE on his current contract, he’s prohibited from signing with any team over the tax apron. Those teams are the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets.

In addition, the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors are so tight to their first apron hard caps that they can’t fit in a veteran minimum signing.

James Harden remains in Houston while skipping media day with the Philadelphia 76ers and their subsequent flight to Fort Collins, Colorado. Harden had interest in returning to the Houston Rockets this offseason, but their interest is believed to have diminished after hiring Ime Udoka as head coach.

Harden is seeking a trade from the Sixers with the Los Angeles Clippers his preferred destination. Harden opted into his $35.6 million contract with the Sixers in June with the expectation he would be traded. The Sixers have continued to hold out for more draft capital than the Clippers have so far been willing to offer.

Harden will be ineligible for free agency in 2024 if he withholds his services for 30 or more days, which has led many to hold the expectation that he will eventually report to the Sixers.