Overall, it’s pretty safe to say the LA Clippers’ big man rotation is weak compared to other playoff-contending teams. There’s three-point shooting with Brook Lopez and Rui Hachimura, but more importantly, an obvious lack of rebounding, which must be fixed before the regular season kicks off.
As a result, the Clippers should reach out to Ben Simmons, the 2016 first overall pick, to help out. Given that he is currently a free agent and reportedly open to a veteran minimum, what better way is there for Lawrence Frank to add size and someone who can really make an impact in the paint?
Ben Simmons has regained his athleticism and is feeling "the best he has in years," per @MarcJSpears 💪🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 10, 2026
Several NBA teams have expressed interest in Simmons, who is open to signing a vet minimum contract 👀 pic.twitter.com/1vshEJ00ZC
Additionally, Simmons is already familiar with the Clippers. He was a member of the team for 18 games in 2024-25, played relatively well, and helped out where he could in the playoffs, particularly in boxing out and preventing second-chance points for opposing teams.
This is definitely an advantage for head coach Tyronn Lue and his staff.
The Clippers could really use Ben Simmons on the current roster
In the frontcourt, Brook Lopez struggles tremendously with rebounding, and Rui Hachimura, who was recently signed by the LA Clippers, joins him. Neither averaged four rebounds per game last season.
It also doesn’t help that the Clippers lost one of their top glass cleaners, Kawhi Leonard, in a trade with the Toronto Raptors (assuming it goes through).
With Ben Simmons, 30, currently available, pursuing him on the open market is one of the best avenues for the front office at the moment.
From what we saw in Simmons’ brief stint with the Clippers, which was his most recent stop in the NBA, he thrived in many areas, but more particularly in the main category LA desperately needs.
For context, Simmons averaged 4.7 boards with the Brooklyn Nets and the Clippers, in just 22.0 minutes per game. That may not seem like much at first, as he is nearly seven feet tall, but his per-36 was 7.7. This speaks volumes.
The best part? Simmons is reportedly okay with taking a small salary for just a season. He did it once for the Clippers in 2025, and might even do it again.
That said, going after Simmons won’t hurt. He is a winning player, brings valuable experience, is willing to make sacrifices for the betterment of the organization, and offers the Clippers exactly what they need.
What other free agent can do the same? Almost nobody.
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