It looks like the Boston Celtics had their eyes on Ben Simmons last summer, as hinted by Bernie Lee, his former agent. Although Lee didn't name Simmons directly, the clues are all there. With Simmons being a top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and now out of action, the dots connect pretty clearly.
Lee mentioned that the Celtics wanted to meet with a client of his who had struggled for years and was looking at a reduced contract. The idea was that if this player could prove his health, his value might bounce back.
As of late February, Lee only represents Jimmy Butler and Precious Achiuwa, leaving Simmons as the likely subject of this story. Lee reportedly dropped Simmons from his client roster back in September, suggesting a shift in Simmons' career focus.
Stefan Bondy from The New York Post noted that Lee's decision to part ways with Simmons came after the player showed little interest in pursuing NBA opportunities, particularly with the Knicks. It seemed Simmons wasn't committed to continuing his NBA journey, prompting Lee to move on.
Imagining Simmons under the guidance of Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla sparks curiosity. Mazzulla, known for his intense drive to win, might have been a fascinating match for Simmons, who was perceived as lacking motivation. This pairing could have either ignited a transformation in Simmons or fizzled out without much impact.
Simmons' career has seen a decline since his early All-Star days. After playing 275 games in his first four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, he's only appeared in 108 games since his trade demand in the 2021-22 season. The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers tried utilizing Simmons as a big man to leverage his size and rebounding, but he never quite returned to his former glory.
Lee's hope was for Simmons to join the Celtics, rediscover his form, and regain his standing in the league. While that didn't materialize, it's an intriguing "what if" scenario for Celtics fans and NBA followers alike.