While most NBA teams have finished making moves in free agency, some names are still generating interest on the open market. Former number one overall pick Ben Simmons is one of the players still unsigned with a team, but that should change by the end of the week, and the Boston Celtics could be involved.
According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, Simmons is set to make his decision this week, with four teams being known to be interested, including the Boston Celtics. Whether or not the Celtics are successful remains to be seen, but it's clear they're still looking to add more help this summer.
Celtics Reportedly Targeting Free Agent Ben Simmons
If the Celtics were to sign Simmons, he'd fill two holes on the roster.
Simmons could come in and be another big man for the team and provide some facilitation, as Jayson Tatum will most likely miss the whole season. While Simmons has his flaws, including his lack of shooting and durability concerns, the Celtics could use this season to see how the versatile veteran fits in with the direction of the team, which is in flux.
Assuming Simmons does sign with the Celtics, they would need to move a player, as they have 15 players currently under contract. While Boston has many questions to answer this season, Simmons could be an interesting reclamation project for them next season.
Simmons was drafted with the first pick in the 2016 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers after playing one year in college at LSU. While he would miss his first season in the NBA, he was eventually named the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year.
While Simmons was viewed as one of the next superstar players in the NBA due to his size, playmaking, and defensive capabilities, his lack of shooting was questioned. The defining moment of Simmons' career came in the 2021 NBA playoffs. In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, Simmons passed out of an open layup due to fear of being sent to the free-throw line, with Philly losing the game.
Following the 2021 playoffs, Simmons requested a trade from Philly and didn't report during training camp. Simmons would be traded to the Brooklyn Nets at the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for James Harden. Simmons would miss the remainder of the season due to a back issue, which has occasionally plagued him since then.
Simmons has since spent parts of three seasons with the Nets before being bought in February, which allowed him to sign with the L.A. Clippers for the rest of the year.
Despite his recent struggles, Celtics fans will want to monitor Simmons' situation to see if he puts pen to paper in Boston.