The Boston Celtics are interested in Ben Simmons.
Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported the Simmons-Celtics link, noting that the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and Sacramento Kings are also interested.
Last season, Simmons played 51 games split between the Brooklyn Nets and LA Clippers, posting averages of 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, with a 52 percent field goal percentage and nearly 73 percent from the free-throw line.
At 29, Simmons needs a career revival. The former No. 1 overall pick of the Philadelphia 76ers once earned All-NBA honors and three All-Star nods, but that seems like a distant memory. The narrative around Simmons began to shift after a tough 2021 postseason marked by offensive struggles and public criticism. Ultimately, the most concerning issue with Simmons is durability. Traded to Brooklyn in 2022, Simmons missed the entire 2021-22 season due to mental health and back issues. Simmons then appeared in just 57 total games across the following two seasons (2022-2024).
Does Simmons lack the desire to compete, or is he merely the victim of poor injury fortune? Either way, Celtics president Brad Stevens appears ready to take on the risk. Entering a gap year with diminished expectations, it’s a convenient time for Boston to take a chance on Simmons.
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But where would Simmons, a point forward of sorts, fit within the Celtics’ expected rotation? Surprisingly, Simmons would have a chance to start for the Celtics. Derrick White and Jaylen Brown are the only surefire starters right now, at the point guard and wing positions, respectively. Payton Pritchard is a starter from a talent standpoint, but it remains to be seen if head coach Joe Mazzulla will continue rolling with Pritchard off the bench for roster balance reasons, and due to the fact that Pritchard is a proven weapon there, coming off a Sixth Man of the Year season.
Anfernee Simons would be in the mix to start at guard alongside White and Brown, but it’s still unclear whether Simons will still be on the team in October. With the power forward and center spots expected to be filled by committee, the opportunity for Simmons would be wide open if the Celtics acquired him. Simmons can guard up to five positions defensively, which must be what attracts Stevens (and other suitors) to him.
The complete lack of a three-point shot would make Simmons an outlier in “Mazzulla Ball”, but these Celtics are going to look a lot different than recent iterations, anyway.
