Ben Simmons sits in basketball limbo. Once the No. 1 pick who looked destined for greatness, he’s now a free agent coming off a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
His stock has dropped from his early career highs, but his combination of size, defense, and rebounding still catches attention around the league. Several teams are willing to take a chance on the former All-Star as they build their rosters for the 2025-26 season.
Boston Celtics One of Four Teams Keeping Tabs on Simmons Situation As Free Agency Heats Up
Free agency opened on June 30, with signings allowed starting July 6. While many big names have already found new homes, Simmons remains available. The 6-foot-10 Australian guard has drawn interest from multiple franchises looking to add veteran talent.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, four teams are actively pursuing Simmons. The list includes two Eastern Conference teams and two Western Conference clubs.
“League sources say that the Suns have also had some recent dialogue with former All-Star Ben Simmons, who I’m told has drawn interest since free agency began from Boston, New York and Sacramento,” Stein reported.
Boston, Phoenix, New York, and Sacramento have shown interest in Ben Simmons, per @TheSteinLine
“League sources say that the Suns have also had some recent dialogue with former All-Star Ben Simmons, who I’m told has drawn interest since free agency began from Boston, New York… pic.twitter.com/UgNz0LYyKJ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 21, 2025
Phoenix represents an interesting option as they rebuild after trading Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. However, the most compelling situation might be in Boston. The defending 2024 champions have made significant roster changes this offseason.
Boston traded both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis, reshaping their lineup around their core stars.
With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on massive long-term contracts and Derrick White set to earn just over $28 million next season, the Celtics needed to create cap flexibility.
This salary cap situation makes Simmons an intriguing target. Boston managed to keep their “big three” together while maintaining roster depth. The team doesn’t need another primary scorer with Tatum and Brown leading the offense.
Instead, they need someone who can contribute on the boards and anchor their defense, two areas where Simmons has consistently excelled throughout his career.
Despite the roster changes, Boston remains among the Eastern Conference favorites. The front office successfully retained their core while positioning themselves to add complementary pieces like Simmons.
Simmons’ early career trajectory looked unstoppable. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and made three consecutive All-Star teams from 2019-2021. His defensive impact was particularly notable, earning him multiple All-Defensive first team selections. But that promising start gave way to struggles that have defined his recent seasons.
The biggest concern surrounding Simmons involves his injury history, particularly his ongoing back problems. Over the past three seasons, he’s averaged just 36 games per year.
Those numbers don’t even include the 2021-22 campaign, which he missed entirely. Health questions will follow Simmons into the 2025-26 season, with no guarantees about his availability or effectiveness.
However, for a Celtics team that sits just a few pieces away from another championship run, the potential reward might justify the risk of signing the talented but injury-prone forward.
