For someone who has played in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and now the LA Clippers, it might come as a surprise to hear him say this. But that’s something the number one pick in the 2016 draft has come to understand over the years.
“You need to enjoy big city life if you really want to settle in New York,” said Simmons, who hails from Melbourne in Australia. “It’s the biggest city in the whole world, and the heart of basketball. I really enjoyed my time there; it was a blessing.
But one thing I’ve come to know about myself is that I prefer calmness. I want to live near water. I like seeing trees and green space. So, it gave me a new kind of experience. I also have relatives in New York, so I will always feel connected to that place.”
He recalled his early visits to New York with excitement. “When I first came here as a younger guy, the energy felt endless,” he said. “It’s a fast-moving place where people are always up and working hard. That’s the kind of city where the grind never stops.”
Back in Familiar Territory with a New Mission
Simmons found himself back in that familiar fast-paced city this week, where he previously spent part of four NBA seasons with the Nets. The Nets had made a trade in 2022, sending James Harden to the Sixers in exchange for Simmons.
At that point, Simmons was earning $40 million a year from the $170 million contract extension he signed with Philadelphia in 2019. As Brooklyn entered a rebuilding phase, they couldn’t move his contract through trade, and both sides settled on a buyout deal, giving him the chance to enter free agency for the very first time.
He made a decision to sign with the Clippers. But more than simply wanting to be in New York again, Simmons now has his eyes set on something bigger. He’s aiming to make it back to the playoffs.
Since 2021, Simmons has not returned to postseason action. That year, the 76ers had the top seed but ended up losing at home to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, a game many still remember vividly.
Simmons never got to play in the playoffs while he was with the Nets. In 2022, he missed the entire postseason while Boston swept Brooklyn and went on to represent the East in the Finals.
In 2023, Brooklyn was eliminated by Philadelphia in a sweep, and Simmons didn’t suit up due to injury. Last season, his campaign ended in February, and the Nets didn’t qualify for the playoffs at all.
Clippers Playoff Push and Simmons’ Focus
When Simmons spoke about what matters most now, his answer was clear: “Staying consistent and staying healthy,” he said, referring to his plan with the Clippers.
“Right now, the focus is on reaching the playoffs. That’s the target. We want to avoid ending up in the Play-In round. So we’re going to take each game seriously, one day at a time.”
Going into Friday’s games, the Clippers had a 41-31 record and were sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference. They have won nine of their last eleven games, putting them in a strong position. They also hold the edge in the tiebreaker over the Golden State Warriors, who have the same win-loss record.
Holding that sixth spot means automatic qualification for the playoffs. Simmons may not have imagined himself in this position five months ago, but now he’s ready to help take the Clippers deep into the postseason.
