Could a Ben Simmons-Celtics experiment work?
Boston has engaged in “fluid” talks with Philadelphia about interest in the 6-foot-11 All-Star guard, The Athletic reported on Monday.
Any potential deal involving Simmons would have to reportedly include All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who’s leading the Celtics in scoring with a career-high 25.6 points per game.
Brown will miss the next 1-2 weeks with a right hamstring strain, coach Ime Udoka announced Monday.
The Sixers’ president of basketball operations Daryl Morey hasn’t budged from his high asking price for Simmons, since the 25-year-old requested a trade over the summer. Philadelphia is 8-2 and currently No. 1 in the East without Simmons.
The Celtics, meanwhile, are off to a rocky 4-6 start to the season after trading away point guard Kemba Walker to the Thunder in the offseason.
Boston’s isolation-heavy offense has been retooled around Brown and star forward Jayson Tatum — something guard Marcus Smart complained about last week.
As the offense continues to develop, Simmons could add a strong defensive identity to Boston’s young core.
Last month, Simmons told the Sixers that he is not “prepared mentally” to play. The message came after he skipped training camp and preseason, following a holdout against the team that officially started when NBA training camps opened.
Simmons, though, has reportedly refused Philadelphia’s efforts to help with his mental readiness, which has frustrated the organization. Instead, he has been working with mental health professionals provided by the NBA.
The Sixers have started fining Simmons again after they stopped when the mental health concerns first came to the forefront.
Simmons’ playing status for this season is still up in the air. He has four years and $147 million left on the max contract he signed in 2019.
The Sixers will be without franchise face Joel Embiid for Monday’s home game against the Knicks after he entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol earlier in the day.