The Warriors are already regretting letting a perfect buyout target join a direct rival. The former top overall pick had a remarkable debut with his new team

The Golden State Warriors enter the All-Star break with important roster decisions still pending, having won three of their four games since the major acquisition of 6-time All-Star Jimmy Butler last week.

This move has left the Warriors with two open roster spots to fill, after already deciding to sign rookie center Quinten Post to a standard contract. As the franchise waits for the buyout market to develop, one of their top options has already had a strong start with his new team.

Ben Simmons impressed in his Clippers debut Following his buyout with the Brooklyn Nets right after the trade deadline, Ben Simmons quickly signed with the L.A. Clippers to join Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and the rest of the squad.

Although Simmons may not be the All-Star player he once was, he still provided value to the Clippers in his debut against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on Thursday night. The Australian was active on both ends of the court, helping his new team rally from a 20-point deficit to secure a 120-116 overtime victory heading into the All-Star break.

Simmons finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block, without committing a turnover in 27 minutes. The former number one pick added six points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the fourth quarter alone, sparking social media with a surprising, game-changing performance.

In overtime, Simmons essentially played center for the Clippers — a position he could have potentially filled for the Warriors if they had been interested before he joined their direct Pacific rival.

Golden State has continued to play small recently, with Draymond Green starting at center in two of the last three games. Simmons could have provided Green with some bench support, allowing Steve Kerr to maintain a similar playing style with a ball-handling, playmaking, and defensive big even when the 34-year-old veteran rested.

Perhaps the Warriors felt they couldn’t offer Simmons the same playing time they could have elsewhere, though they might have been able to use him in short stretches alongside Green, despite their similar skill sets.

The Warriors remain 3.5 games behind the Clippers in the Western Conference standings, with their attention now turning to other potential roster moves after missing out on Simmons.