Bobby Simmons has not played since Jan. 5 and there is a good chance he won't be with the Nets too much longer. He will be either traded by Feb. 18 or bought out of his contract by March 1, so he can sign with a playoff team.
"Rod Thorn (Nets president) is compassionate to Bobby's situation," Simmons' agent Mark Bartelstein told The Record. "He feels bad. He feels very strongly that he can help a lot of teams and we're trying to work together to get something done."
The newspaper notes that Tony Battie is another player who could reach a buyout if he's not traded.
Tony Battie is in the same situation as Bobby Simmons -- they both will seek a buyout if they are not traded. Battie feels he can still contribute and fill a role similar to P.J. Brown, who helped the Celtics when they won the championship.
"I think I still have some game left in me," Battie told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. "My body feels good. I think on the right team I could be a P.J. Brown-sort of a plug for a contender. Hopefully, I get that opportunity."
