Ben Simmons Reportedly Interests Celtics, Suns Amid Knicks Rumors in NBA Free Agency

Two more teams have registered interest in three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reported Sunday the Phoenix Suns "had some recent dialogue" with Simmons, while the Boston Celtics are in the mix too. The New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings have also been reported as suitors.

The 29-year-old failed to reverse the general narrative about his career in 2024-25.

In 33 appearances for a rebuilding Brooklyn Nets squad, he averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Signing with the Los Angeles Clippers after the trade deadline did little to boost his performance. He shot 43.4 percent from the field and averaged 2.9 points in 16.4 minutes per contest over 18 games.

Simmons' playing time dwindled even further in the postseason. He logged a total of 42 minutes in Los Angeles' first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Nobody is expecting the 6'10" point forward to roll back the years and become an elite two-way threat again. Based on the last few seasons, it's not clear whether he can even be effective in a more limited role on a contending team.

The Celtics and Suns don't have a lot of options in terms of bolstering their rosters, though, even after they've made some cost-cutting maneuvers.

Boston is still into the second apron of the luxury tax despite trading away guard Jrue Holiday and big man Kristaps Porziņģis. After securing a buyout with star Bradley Beal, Phoenix is $8.9 million away from hitting the first apron.

Having a lot of cash to burn wouldn't help that much anyway because the depth of talent in free agency is pretty thin at this stage. Most of the best players available are restricted free agents as well, so signing them would be difficult when their current team has matching rights.

Signing Simmons is unlikely to generate a lot of excitement because there are reasons to be concerned about his on-court value. Should he accept a one-year deal at or near the veteran's minimum, there at least wouldn't be a lot of downside risk for his next employer.