NBA star Ben Simmons joins Patty Mills at LA Clippers after Brooklyn Nets exit

Ben Simmons has reunited with Patty Mills at the Los Angeles Clippers as he seeks to reignite his NBA career at a new franchise.

Simmons officially joined the Clippers on Monday (local time), two days after the Brooklyn Nets agreed to buy out his contract and waived the point guard.

The Clippers did not reveals terms of the Australian’s agreement.

Simmons was cut by Brooklyn, ending a disappointing stint with the club that started when he sat out the 2021-22 season after being traded in for James Harden.

The Nets hoped Simmons would complement Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, proving the final piece in an NBA championship puzzle.

But Simmons, in the final season of a five-year deal worth $US177.2 million, struggled with recurring back injuries and is yet to live up to the potential reflected by his selection with the first overall pick in the 2016 draft.

Simmons is notably linking up with compatriot Mills, who he shared a locker room with at the Nets during 2021-22 and 2022-23.

He will also play alongside superstars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

With the Nets, Simmons appeared in 90 games (69 starts) and averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists over 25.4 minutes per game.

The three-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year will give Los Angeles additional help at point guard.

However, Simmons’ numbers in Brooklyn lagged behind those he put up with the Philadelphia 76ers.

In 275 games with the Sixers, he averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists.

He missed two full seasons with the Sixers - 2016-17 due to injury, and 2021-22 because of a holdout and a back injury.

Last week, Boomers captain Mills was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Clippers.

Mills, widely considered Australia’s most successful basketballer, is aged 36 and in his 16th NBA season.