The Boston Celtics evidently were no casual pursuer of former Los Angeles Clippers big man Ben Simmons, according to recent reporting from the Stein Line’s Ben Stein. At the start of the 2025 NBA offseason, the Celtics were among a number of ball clubs tied to the contentious point forward, with Boston eventually deciding to go in other directions when it comes to filling out their frontcourt rotations via former Toronto Raptors big man Chris Boucher.
But that rumored interest in Simmons was among the most intense in the league according to Stein, who were evidently also not alone in that pursuit, per the Stein Line reporter. The New York Knicks were also mulling whether to offer a deal to the former Philadelphia 76ers lottery pick before also going in another direction to fill out their own big men for the season ahead.
New York reportedly offered a contract to Simmons that the Australian swingman passed on, and Simmons remains unsigned at the time of writing.
“Boston and New York, I’m told, expressed the most serious interest in Simmons this summer,” writes Stein.
Per the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy, Simmons has been asking if “he even wants to continue playing in the NBA next season.”
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