The Boston Celtics are actively pursuing Ben Simmons this offseason as they seek to enhance their defense amid recent roster changes. With significant trades involving Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics are managing salary cap challenges while aiming to improve their squad’s defensive identity by adding Simmons’s unique skill set.
Managing Salary Cap Constraints Following Key Trades
After trading several important players, the Celtics now face the challenge of being about $20 million above the luxury tax second apron. To comply with salary restrictions, Boston will likely sign players on lower salaries, making Ben Simmons an attractive candidate due to his availability and potential impact despite recent performance struggles.
Ben Simmons’s Defensive Strengths and Recent Struggles
Once an All-Star guard, Ben Simmons’s career has seen ups and downs, especially after a difficult 2021 Eastern Conference playoff performance. His offensive shooting remains a concern, as opponents often defend him by sagging off. However, Simmons’s ball-handling and court vision remain valuable assets, while his defensive versatility stands out as his strongest attribute. The Celtics, having lost crucial rim protection with Porzingis’s departure, could benefit from Simmons’s ability to guard multiple positions effectively.
Opportunities for Simmons and Boston Amid a Transitional Season
The Celtics face a challenging season without Jayson Tatum, who is sidelined with a torn Achilles. This situation may provide Simmons with a fresh opportunity to demonstrate his All-Star capabilities. After a difficult stint with the Clippers last season—where his averages dropped to 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on 43.4 percent shooting—Simmons is at a career crossroads, confronting both performance issues and mental hurdles.
Joining the competitive environment in Boston could offer Simmons the reset he needs to revive his career while helping the Celtics address their defensive concerns.
Potential Impact of Adding Simmons to the Celtics Roster
The Celtics’ interest in Simmons appears to be a strategic, low-risk move that could deliver high rewards. His defensive skills, versatility, and playmaking could help Boston navigate the difficulties posed by recent roster departures and injuries. While uncertainties remain, the pairing has the potential to benefit both the team’s defensive resilience and Simmons’s effort to regain his All-Star form.