Boston Celtics Make Bold Move to Clear Cap Space and Emerge as Frontrunner to Land Ben Simmons in 2025 Free Agency
The Boston Celtics, a franchise defined by its rich history, championship pedigree, and relentless pursuit of excellence, have once again positioned themselves as major players in the NBA’s offseason chessboard. With the surprising waiver of young guard JD Davison, Boston has opened up additional roster and financial flexibility. This move, subtle on the surface, signals something much larger in the works: a potential run at former All-Star Ben Simmons, whose enigmatic career has been filled with promise, setbacks, and a renewed effort to reclaim relevance. Now, all signs point toward the Celtics being the favorites to win the Ben Simmons sweepstakes—and the basketball world is watching closely.
JD Davison, a 2022 second-round pick out of Alabama, had been a developmental piece for the Celtics. Spending most of his time on two-way contracts and G-League assignments, Davison showed flashes of potential—blinding speed, above-the-rim athleticism, and flashes of court vision. However, with Boston already deep in its backcourt rotation and focused on veterans who can contribute immediately, the decision to waive Davison makes financial and competitive sense. But more importantly, it clears a roster spot and enough flexibility to potentially absorb Simmons via free agency or sign-and-trade. The timing of the move—early in free agency but late enough to hint at an imminent transaction—has fueled speculation that Simmons is on the Celtics’ radar in a serious way.
Ben Simmons’ journey to this point has been anything but linear. Once heralded as a generational talent, the 6-foot-10 Australian point forward was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He won Rookie of the Year, made multiple All-Star teams, and earned All-Defensive First Team honors—all by the age of 24. His unique blend of size, speed, vision, and defensive versatility made him one of the league’s most valuable young assets. However, a combination of mental health challenges, back injuries, and shooting deficiencies led to a dramatic decline in his reputation and production. After a tumultuous exit from Philadelphia and a rocky tenure in Brooklyn, Simmons entered the 2024-25 season with little fanfare and even less expectation.
Yet something changed. Simmons, now 29, returned to the court with a newfound sense of purpose and physical health. Though still limited offensively in terms of scoring range, he began to reestablish himself as one of the game’s elite defenders and transition facilitators. In limited action due to injury management, Simmons averaged a modest 6.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game—but his impact went far beyond the box score. When healthy, he provided elite switchability on defense, orchestrated fast breaks with precision, and elevated his teammates’ effectiveness by generating quality looks without dominating the ball.
For the Celtics, the interest in Simmons is more than just a reclamation project—it’s a calculated bet on upside and fit. Boston has long prided itself on elite perimeter defense, switch-heavy schemes, and positional versatility. Simmons, despite his flaws, fits perfectly into that system. With Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown all capable of defending multiple positions, the addition of Simmons would allow Boston to deploy one of the most fearsome defensive lineups in recent memory. Imagine a scenario where Simmons guards opposing centers, initiates offense in transition, and allows Tatum and Brown to conserve energy for scoring—suddenly, Boston’s rotation becomes even more flexible and unpredictable.
More importantly, Simmons’ arrival wouldn’t come with the pressure of being “the guy.” In Philadelphia and Brooklyn, expectations for Simmons were sky-high—he was expected to be a franchise savior, a transcendent star who could carry a team. In Boston, he would be a complementary piece, a luxury rather than a necessity. That context matters. Without the burden of leading the offense or taking clutch jumpers, Simmons could thrive in a simplified role focused on defense, playmaking, and pushing the pace.
Financially, Boston would need to be creative. Simmons’ contract demands are likely to be modest compared to his previous deals. Given his recent history, he may be willing to accept a short-term, incentive-laden contract to prove his value. A two-year deal with a team option or partial guarantees would give Boston the flexibility it needs while giving Simmons the platform to rebuild his career on a contending team. The waived salary of JD Davison, while not massive, contributes to clearing the necessary room.
The Celtics’ front office, led by Brad Stevens, has been both aggressive and prudent in recent years. Stevens has shown a willingness to gamble on talent (see Kristaps Porziņģis), reward loyalty (see Jaylen Brown’s extension), and preserve long-term flexibility. Pursuing Simmons aligns with that philosophy—buy low on elite upside while protecting the team’s financial future. If Simmons doesn’t pan out, the Celtics move on with little consequence. But if he does? They may have just added a game-changing weapon for the price of a rotation filler.
Public perception of Simmons remains polarized. Detractors point to his unwillingness to shoot, playoff disappearances, and inconsistent health. But believers see a still-young player with elite court vision, defensive prowess, and the rare ability to guard five positions. For Boston fans, the question is whether the risk outweighs the potential reward. Championship windows in the NBA are fragile and fleeting. The Celtics, who already have a Finals-caliber roster, don’t need Simmons to be a star—they just need him to be healthy, engaged, and willing to accept his role.
If Simmons does land in Boston, it will also be a litmus test for head coach Joe Mazzulla’s ability to manage personalities and rotations. Integrating Simmons into a team with high basketball IQ players should be smoother than his previous situations, but it still requires careful minutes distribution and a clearly defined role. The good news is that Boston’s culture, anchored by veterans like Al Horford and Jrue Holiday, is resilient. There’s a strong belief that the Celtics’ locker room could be exactly the environment Simmons needs to rediscover his confidence and competitive edge.
Offensively, Simmons could help unlock new dimensions. His transition passing is elite, and Boston, while efficient, sometimes lacks easy baskets in the open floor. Simmons’ ability to rebound and go coast-to-coast could generate valuable fast-break opportunities. In the half-court, he can operate as a screener, short-roll passer, and occasional initiator when Tatum or Brown are off the floor. His presence might even allow Mazzulla to experiment with five-out lineups, using Porziņģis or Hauser as stretch bigs while Simmons orchestrates from the elbow.
Defensively, the possibilities are tantalizing. With Simmons on the floor, Boston could comfortably switch 1 through 5 against most opponents, blitz pick-and-rolls, or drop back into zone looks without sacrificing length or athleticism. Simmons’ communication and awareness, when locked in, are elite. Pairing him with other high-IQ defenders like White and Holiday could result in a defense that suffocates opponents for long stretches—a valuable tool in playoff basketball where half-court execution becomes king.
From a branding and PR standpoint, the move is also relatively low-risk. If Simmons returns to even 75% of his All-Star form, the narrative shifts from “bust” to “redemption story,” and Boston becomes the franchise that made it happen. If not, the Celtics are no worse off than before and can move forward without disruption. For Simmons, Boston offers structure, opportunity, and the chance to compete for meaningful basketball in front of passionate fans.
As of now, no official deal has been announced, but the tea leaves are clear. Boston’s quiet maneuvering—waiving JD Davison, clearing space, and maintaining cap flexibility—suggests a bigger move is in play. Simmons has remained quiet in the media but is reportedly open to joining a contender and embracing a defined role. The Celtics are a perfect fit.
If the deal comes to fruition, the league will be forced to reckon with a Celtics team that’s even more dangerous than before. Already armed with two All-NBA wings, elite defenders, floor spacers, and one of the deepest rotations in basketball, adding Simmons could push Boston over the top—particularly against bigger lineups in Milwaukee, Miami, or Denver. And for Simmons, it’s a chance to rewrite the script of a career that once seemed destined for greatness but detoured into controversy.
The 2025-26 NBA season is fast approaching. Training camps will open soon. And if Boston gets its way, Ben Simmons might be walking through that door—healthier, humbled, and hungry to prove everyone wrong.
