Rumor: Ben Simmons Expected To Sign With Celtics Or Knicks

Ben Simmons is expected to sign with the Boston Celtics or New York Knicks, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. 

Siegel thinks Simmons will join the Knicks. 

“Ben Simmons has drawn the most interest from the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks and is expected to choose where he will play during the 2025-26 season soon, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “Maybe another team could swoop in and convince Simmons to sign with them, but these are the two most discussed avenues among league circles for the former first overall pick. My guess: Simmons ends up in New York.”

Simmons played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers last season. He averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks in 51 games while shooting 52.0% from the field and 72.7% from the free-throw line. 

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Simmons with the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft out of LSU. Simmons missed his entire rookie season due to a foot injury, but he established himself as one of the top two-way players in the league from 2017-18 to 2020-21, making three All-Star teams, one All-NBA team and two All-Defensive teams. 

However, everything changed for Simmons in the 2021 playoffs. He lost total confidence in his shot, including layups. The lefty missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a holdout and back injury. He requested a trade from the Sixers and was traded to the Nets for James Harden. 

Simmons has career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks. He’s 29 years old. 

The Celtics lost to the Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in six games. Jayson Tatum is expected to miss all of next season recovering from his torn right Achilles tendon. 

Meanwhile, New York made the conference finals last season for the first time since 2000. The Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. 

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