The Boston Celtics found themselves at the center of one of this summer’s more surprising free agency reports. According to insider Marc Stein, Boston and the New York Knicks were the two teams closest to signing Ben Simmons.
The revelation shows just how seriously the Celtics considered the former No. 1 overall pick before moving in another direction.
“The Knicks, league sources said, indeed offered a one-year contract to Ben Simmons that the former All-Star passed on. New York is limited to minimum contract offers as training camps draw near and
The Celtics Nearly Pulled the Trigger
The interest in Simmons did not come out of nowhere. Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston had previously suggested Simmons represented the type of “random swing” the Celtics needed to take this offseason.
At 6-foot-10, Simmons offered intriguing versatility. He showed in stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers that he could play as a small-ball big, use his athleticism to switch across positions, and provide rebounding and defensive depth.
At the right price, Boston could have viewed him as a viable rotation piece. But things changed quickly when the Celtics signed veteran forward Chris Boucher. The former Toronto Raptors big averaged 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds last season. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, that move effectively shut the door on Simmons.
— 1st in bench points — 1st in bench rebounds — 1st in bench blocks — 1st in bench stocks — 1st in bench threes — 1st in bench free throws — 1st in bench wins — 1st in bench double-doubles
Going to Boston.
Knicks Make an Offer, Simmons Says No
While the Celtics moved on, the Knicks also tested the waters. Stein reported New York offered Simmons a one-year minimum contract, but he turned it down. For the Knicks, Simmons would have been a low-risk depth option behind Jalen Brunson who could provide defense and playmaking at little financial cost.
So why decline?
Simmons reportedly hoped to secure a contract above the minimum. But with limited interest, that goal has become increasingly unlikely. Stefan Bondy has even reported Simmons is considering retirement.
What It Means for the Celtics
For the Celtics, this summer’s flirtation with Simmons shows they were open to creative ideas while reshaping the roster. The interest was serious, but ultimately Boston pivoted to safer bets like Boucher and their developing young bigs.
For Simmons, the picture is less optimistic. At 29, the former All-NBA guard and three-time All-Star faces a shrinking market. His decision now comes down to accepting a minimum deal somewhere or stepping away from the league entirely.
Either way, Boston’s interest reminds fans just how wide the search was to stabilize the roster after a summer of major changes. In the end, the story of who they almost signed can be just as telling as who they actually did.
Celtics’ Quiet Interest in Former No. 1 Pick Revealed