Fansided · Dec 11, 2025
Clippers vindicated for leaving controversial first-overall pick behind
Ben Simmons, LA Clippers | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesIn the offseason, Chris Paul, the LA Clippers' backup point guard before a national headline-making dismissal, was signed in mid-July. But, before Paul, Ben Simmons was the facilitator of the second unit. Despite supplying playmaking and defense, the Clippers walked away from him with their own free will, and months later, he is still a free agent, vindicating LA for taking a firm stand.
Paul has more experience, but Simmons was a first-overall pick at the start of his career and offers much more as a contributor to the Clippers. He was a point-forward last season, adapted into Tyronn Lue’s system, and handled playoff adversity well.