The Celtics are eyeing Ben Simmons, and it might be the boldest move of their Tatum-less era. With Jayson Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles and no clear return timeline in sight, Boston is exploring creative ways to stay in the mix. Enter Ben Simmons. Once an All-Star and elite defender, Simmons has drawn interest from the Celtics as a potential plug-and-play wildcard for their suddenly shorthanded roster. The Celtics will need him to defend, facilitate, and take pressure off Jaylen Brown. In a structured role under Joe Mazzulla, he could quietly become a key rotational piece. In a system that doesn’t demand offensive dominance from him, Simmons could thrive. And if Simmons finds even a glimpse of his old form, the league’s top defense might get even scarier.

The Celtics are eyeing Ben Simmons, and it might be the boldest move of their Tatum-less era.
With Jayson Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles and no clear return timeline in sight, Boston is exploring creative ways to stay in the mix. Enter Ben Simmons.
Once an All-Star and elite defender, Simmons has drawn interest from the Celtics as a potential plug-and-play wildcard for their suddenly shorthanded roster.
The Celtics will need him to defend, facilitate, and take pressure off Jaylen Brown. In a structured role under Joe Mazzulla, he could quietly become a key rotational piece.
In a system that doesn’t demand offensive dominance from him, Simmons could thrive. And if Simmons finds even a glimpse of his old form, the league’s top defense might get even scarier.

 

The Celtics Are Eyeing Ben Simmons — and It Might Be the Boldest Move of Their Tatum-less Era

With Jayson Tatum sidelined due to a torn Achilles and no definitive return timeline, the Boston Celtics face a critical juncture. After years of contending atop the Eastern Conference, they now enter uncertain terrain without their franchise cornerstone. Yet, amid the void, the Celtics may be eyeing one of the most unconventional solutions available: Ben Simmons.

Yes, that Ben Simmons — the former No. 1 overall pick, once an All-Star and All-Defensive first team selection, who’s spent the last few seasons battling injuries, confidence issues, and an ever-diminishing role in Brooklyn. For many teams, Simmons is a cautionary tale. For Boston, he might be a low-risk, high-upside bet worth taking.

Why Simmons?

At first glance, Simmons feels like an odd fit for a team whose championship window has long been defined by two-way excellence, efficient offense, and unselfish ball movement. But scratch the surface, and the rationale becomes clearer — especially in a world where Tatum isn’t walking through the door any time soon.

In Simmons, the Celtics could acquire a player who, when healthy and engaged, is still one of the most versatile defenders in the NBA. Standing 6’10” with elite lateral quickness and defensive instincts, Simmons can guard every position on the floor. Boston’s identity under Joe Mazzulla has leaned heavily on defensive versatility, switching, and length — all traits Simmons offers in spades.

More importantly, with Tatum gone, Boston desperately needs another playmaker to take pressure off Jaylen Brown. Simmons, for all his offensive hesitations, remains one of the best passing forwards in the game. He can initiate offense, push in transition, and help orchestrate half-court sets. That secondary facilitation would give Brown more freedom to score without always being the primary creator — a role he’s not always comfortable in, especially under playoff-level defensive scrutiny.

A Structured Role — With Minimal Pressure

What makes Boston different from Simmons’ previous teams is that they wouldn’t need him to be a star. In fact, they wouldn’t even need him to shoot. Unlike his stints in Philadelphia or Brooklyn, where he was expected to be a franchise player or at least a primary option, Boston would simply ask Simmons to do what he’s best at: defend, rebound, and facilitate.

Under Mazzulla, Simmons could slide into a structured system that masks his offensive shortcomings and maximizes his basketball IQ. Think of him as a supercharged Derrick White or a taller version of Draymond Green — someone who reads the floor, covers ground defensively, and elevates the team without taking over.

In this context, Simmons becomes less of a gamble and more of a strategic tool. The Celtics have enough shooting and scoring between Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, and others. What they lack is a connective tissue — someone who sees plays develop before they happen and can keep the offense humming through ball movement and transition play.

Health and the “If” Factor

Of course, all of this hinges on a giant “if”: if Simmons is healthy. Back issues and knee problems have limited him significantly over the past three seasons, and his confidence has visibly eroded in the process. Last season, he appeared in only 15 games, averaging 6.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists before being shut down yet again.

But with Tatum out, Boston doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for the perfect option. They need bodies now — especially ones with defensive versatility and playoff experience. If Simmons can give them 20-25 minutes per night and avoid injury, he immediately becomes more valuable than most bench options currently available.

The Celtics also have the infrastructure to support him. Veteran leaders like Al Horford and Jrue Holiday provide a calm, team-first locker room environment. The presence of headstrong stars like Brown and Porziņģis ensures Simmons won’t be asked to lead, only to contribute. This combination of lowered expectations and strong support could be exactly what he needs to reboot his career.

What a Resurgence Would Mean

If Simmons finds even a glimpse of his old form — the 2019-20 version who could switch onto anyone, drive-and-kick with ease, and make life miserable for opposing stars — then Boston might be unlocking a hidden weapon.

Imagine a defensive lineup with Simmons, Holiday, White, Brown, and Horford. The switchability. The length. The IQ. It’s the kind of lineup that can choke the life out of opponents in the playoffs — exactly what Boston was known for during their recent Finals run.

And while Simmons won’t suddenly become a 20-point scorer, even modest offensive production (say, 8-10 points per game, with 6+ assists and elite defense) could make him one of the best bargain pickups of the season.

The Risk Is Real, But the Upside May Be Worth It

Let’s be clear: this isn’t a move without downside. Simmons hasn’t proven he can stay healthy. His shooting issues remain unresolved. And his confidence — a fragile component of his game — might not withstand the scrutiny of a championship-contending city like Boston.

But the Celtics aren’t trading for the Simmons of old. They’re potentially acquiring a situational contributor who fills a need during a time of uncertainty. With Tatum out, the team is already recalibrating expectations. This could be the ideal time to take a flyer on someone like Simmons.

And if it doesn’t work? The cost will likely be minimal, and Boston can move on.

But if it does work — if Ben Simmons finds clarity in a simplified role and reignites the skills that once made him one of the league’s most promising talents — then the Celtics might just turn a lost season into something special.

In a season defined by unpredictability, Boston’s boldest move might also be its smartest.

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