The Boston Celtics find themselves in unfamiliar territory this summer. With Jayson Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury and both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis out the door, Brad Stevens is pivoting toward a soft reset. But while expectations have shifted, the front office still sees value in smart, short-term additions.
Enter Ben Simmons.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Simmons is expected to decide “within the next week” where he’ll be playing next season—and the Celtics are one of four teams in serious contention.
Celtics Eye Simmons as ‘Random Swing’
Simmons, a former No. 1 pick and three-time All-Star, hasn’t come close to his peak in recent years. But Boston isn’t expecting him to be a savior.
With Tatum expected to miss most—if not all—of the season, Simmons would face limited pressure in a reduced role. The focus? Defend, facilitate, and soak up minutes in a system that wouldn’t ask him to score. A one-year “prove-it” deal could give Simmons the runway to rebuild his value without the spotlight.
On the Celtics Talk Podcast, Chris Forsberg described Simmons as the type of “random swing” the Celtics should be taking right now. Fellow guest Brian Robb echoed the sentiment:
“There’s still just a big void for where (Jayson) Tatum’s minutes would have been this year… And Simmons does a lot—obviously doesn’t do anything nearly as well as Tatum does—but he does some of it. He at least has size and can rebound and can pass.”
Plenty of Competition
Last season, Simmons averaged just 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 51 games split between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. Still, interest remains high.
The Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and New York Knicks have all reportedly checked in. Each team offers something different—whether it’s a larger role, warm-weather market, or title contention.
Still, the Celtics appear to be in the driver’s seat. According to CelticsLead, Boston is now the betting favorite to land Simmons.
What Happens Next
With a decision expected soon, the Simmons sweepstakes are nearing the finish line.
For Boston, this is about timing and value. They’re not aiming to win now. But if Simmons can regain even a portion of his Philadelphia 76ers-era form, this could quietly become one of the offseason’s most underrated moves.
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