Who is Bernie Lee? Looking at Ben Simmons' new agent after he cut ties with Klutch Sports Group
The Ben Simmons saga continues to churn. In the latest chapter, Simmons and Klutch Sports agreed to mutually part ways after representing the 26-year-old since he became a professional.
This comes just over a year after Klutch took on the difficult task of navigating Simmons' exit from the Philadelphia 76ers. After being drafted first by the Sixers in the 2016 draft, he spent six years in Philadelphia but only played in four of those.
Following a turbulent playoff exit in 2021, when the Sixers were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Simmons decided this would be his final game representing the Sixers. Despite still being under contract for until 2024-25, Simmons elected to hold out until a new destination was found. He was eventually dealt in the deal that landed James Harden in February 2022.
Now playing for the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons has averaged just 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season, all of which mark career lows. He will now be represented by Bernie Lee, who also had quite an intertwined history with the Sixers.
Ben Simmons is expected to hire Bernie Lee as his new agent, per @JonKrawczynski
Lee also reps Jimmy Butler https://t.co/4VlSZYHetM
Who is Bernie Lee?
Bernie Lee is a well-regarded agent around NBA circles. His client list includes players like Jimmy Butler, Justin Holiday and Kris Dunn. He also played a role as an advisor when Joel Embiid negotiated his supermax contract with the Sixers as Embiid entered these negotiations without an agent.
His ties to Butler are especially interesting as Lee played a role in the current Miami Heat star being traded to the Sixers following his fallout with the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he was equally as involved the following summer when Butler elected to take his talents to South Beach.
The decision was driven by a fracture within the organization between Butler and Simmons. The two each had a ball-dominant style on the court and polar opposite personalities off of it. The Sixers felt as if they had to make a choice between the two budding stars, and with Simmons just 22 years old and coming off his first All-Star season, they did not hesitate to make him the priority.
Lee will now shift to Simmons' corner in negotiations and hopes to get his career back on track. With rumors beginning to swirl of unhappiness with Simmons coming from inside the organization and the LSU product not having suited up since Feb. 15, the new agent could be active in finding a new location.
Regardless, there will need to be some changes within Simmons if he is to have any future success at the NBA level. The once-budding star has flamed out rapidly and perhaps a chance in agency can help turn him in the right direction.