In a recent column on HoopsHype, player agent Bernie Lee shared an intriguing story about a meeting with the Celtics and one of his free-agent clients. While fans have been speculating about the identity of this mystery player, the clues point strongly in one direction.
Lee recounted attending a free agency meeting last summer with a client who had struggled for years and was looking at a significantly reduced contract. The goal was to prove his health and restore his value.
All signs point to Ben Simmons
Let's break down the clues. Lee had three active clients last summer: Jimmy Butler, Precious Achiuwa, and Ben Simmons.
Butler had already signed an extension with the Warriors, ruling him out. That leaves Achiuwa and Simmons.
Consider the phrase "underperformed for years." Achiuwa, with career averages of 7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds, hasn't exactly underperformed over his career.
Simmons, however, was a former number one overall pick who had reached All-Star status and was on the verge of superstardom before his performance declined sharply. He hasn't been a consistent part of any team's rotation since 2021, making him a prime candidate for this description.
The mention of a "vastly reduced contract" adds more weight. Achiuwa's career earnings don't align with this, while Simmons, having earned over $200 million and ending a lucrative contract in 2024, fits the bill perfectly. It's clear that Simmons was the client meeting with the Celtics last summer.
Celtics' championship aspirations clash with Simmons' plans
Here's where the story takes an amusing turn. Lee was impressed by Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and quickly realized that the Celtics were focused on contending, not tanking. This realization derailed the meeting.
Lee had hoped the Celtics would be open to a rebuilding phase, allowing Simmons to play significant minutes on a team not focused on winning, thereby rebuilding his reputation. However, Mazzulla and the Celtics were determined to compete for a championship, leading to a mismatch in goals and ultimately, no deal.
To sum it up, the Celtics were interested in Simmons to bolster their title chances, while Simmons and his agent were looking for a team in a rebuilding phase. This misalignment of objectives was the main reason a deal didn't materialize. It's a situation that has left some Celtics fans, who had long hoped for Simmons in Boston, with dashed hopes.