Celtics Eye Ben Simmons: Does His All-Star Pedigree Outweigh Injury and Free-Throw Risk?

How serious is Boston's interest in Ben Simmons?

Right now, the Boston Celtics are in the exploratory phase, not the signing phase. Reports indicate Boston has shown genuine interest in Ben Simmons as a potential depth addition, but there is no confirmed agreement in place. The Celtics are reportedly among several teams circling the veteran guard, alongside the Knicks and Kings.

The Knicks reportedly already put a one-year minimum deal on the table, which Simmons turned down — a sign that even at this stage of his career, he's hoping to land more than a bare-minimum contract. That context matters for Boston: any Celtics offer would almost certainly land in the same minimum-to-near-minimum range, since Simmons' market has been limited by his injury history and inconsistent recent production.

For Boston, the motivation is straightforward — adding size, playmaking, and defensive versatility off the bench without committing real cap space. This is a depth move under consideration, not a centerpiece transaction, and it's important to treat it that way until something is signed.

What would Simmons actually bring to the Celtics if healthy?

The case for Simmons starts with what he's shown he can still do in limited action. In his most recent season on the floor, he averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game — modest scoring numbers, but a clear signal that his playmaking and rebounding instincts remain intact even in a reduced role.

That's a meaningfully different player than the one who once averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.2 assists across his career, but the gap between those two lines is exactly the point. Boston isn't betting on a return to All-Star form — it's betting on a version of Simmons who can still initiate offense, defend multiple positions, and grab boards in short bursts off the bench.

For a Celtics roster built around shooting and spacing, a secondary ball-handler who can push tempo and find cutters without needing plays run for him is a real luxury, especially in a reserve role where his scoring limitations matter less.

Why should Boston tread carefully before committing?

The caution here isn't speculative — it's backed by two hard numbers. First, Simmons missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering from back surgeries, with his last NBA action coming back in March-April 2025. That's more than a year removed from competitive basketball, and back injuries in particular have a track record of recurring, especially for a player with Simmons' size and physical playing style.

Second, his career free-throw percentage sits at just 59.2% — a number that has followed him for years and remains one of the most tangible limitations on his game. In close games, that stat becomes a liability the moment opponents start intentionally fouling him, which restricts how much late-game trust a coaching staff can realistically extend.

None of this rules Simmons out. But it does mean any signing has to come with eyes open — Boston would be adding a player whose ceiling is capped by health and shooting concerns that haven't gone away, not a plug-and-play rotation piece.

What has to happen before this becomes official?

A few concrete checkpoints will determine whether this moves from rumor to reality. The first is medical: Boston will need its own evaluation of Simmons' back and overall conditioning before committing to a roster spot, given he hasn't played in over a year. The second is role definition — Simmons would need to accept a clearly limited, bench-oriented function rather than expecting significant minutes or offensive touches.

Beyond that, competition from the Knicks and Kings means Simmons' decision may come down to which situation offers him the best path back to relevance, not just the biggest paycheck. Fans should watch for an official announcement from either the Celtics organization or Simmons' camp, along with any reporting on contract terms, before treating this as done.

• Independent medical evaluation of Simmons' back and conditioning
• Confirmed bench-only role with defined minutes expectations
• Official contract terms (likely minimum or near-minimum)
• Competing offers from the Knicks or Kings resolved