Shams: Celtics Interested In Simmons

[CFAN38]

Sounds like Morey has been talking to Shams. Classic attempt to use the media to boost trade value.

Stevens is not trading Brown. Just like many other teams will not trade high level assets for Simmons.

Edit: said that wrong. Teams aren’t trading young two-way all stars for Simmons, but they will trade good assets for him.

I agree, I cant see the 76ers landing a young player of Brown's caliber for Simmons. Simmons is more likely to net an older allstar caliber player and picks or a package of starting caliber players who fit around Embiid. 

[Kuberski33]

When are people going to realize that the Sixers will need to give up a significant asset to move that contract?
You can't pay max money for a guy who has to come off the court in the last 4 minutes - when the majority of NBA games are decided.

[Moranis]

This is always why a Simmons trade didn't make a lot of sense.  I will say this though, if Boston is something like 20-28 and flailing, I think those type of rumors are going to heat up as it will become more apparent a shakeup is needed.  To be clear, I don't think Boston would do it, just that it would heat up.

If Boston can find a 3rd team, then I do think it would be in the mix for Simmons.

I mean something like this has the potential to be a decent trade for all 3 teams

Boston - Simmons, Niang, Bassey
Philly - Wiggins, R. Williams, Nesmith, GS 22 1st, Bos 22 1st, Bos 24 1st (lotto)
GS - Smart, Richardson, Langford

Trade seems reasonable for all teams, though I'm not really sure any of them would actually do it.

So post-trade Boston would be

Starters: Schroder, Brown, Tatum, Simmons, Horford
Main Rotation: Pritchard, G. Williams, Parker, Kanter
Deep Bench: Fernando, Hernangomez, Niang, Bassey

Rest of this year, Boston would be very thin rotationally unless they could add some players (there are 2 open roster spots), but long term I'd like how that would shake out assuming some solid wing depth was added in the off season and the team could keep Schroder (or replace him with at least a solid player).

[Jvalin]

It ain't exactly news, but Shams is a credible source, hence more people will talk about it now. I'd be interested to know who leaked this to Shams. Is it the Sixers, the Celtics or Simmons' agent? If it's the Sixers or the agent, chances are we are being used for leverage.

I really don't expect us to make Brown available. The Sixers can ask for whatever they want. Doesn't mean they'll actually get it. 

[gift]

There's no way Brown or Tatum goes out in a Simmons package. I'm interested in other deals for Simmons though.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I don't want Simmons on this team, even if the price was only a bag of Doritos. This is a professional basketball player who is scared to shoot the ball. And look at how much trouble he creates if he's unhappy. No thank you.

[Atzar]

If the price was right, I'd take a chance on Simmons despite the red flags.  I love the potential fit with Brown, Tatum, and Simmons.

Brown isn't on the table though.  No way.

[LilRip]

Simmons is one of the ultimate trick-or-treat players: he’s got a ton of talent but a ton of red flags. Kinda reminds me of Ron Artest in that way. A focused Ron was DPOY. An unhinged Ron would submarine a team.

A focused Simmons with the Jays makes this team one of the faves, imo. A lazy Simmons and we might get eliminated in the play-in.

That said, no way do we move Brown for Simmons. The package starts at Smart, and we go from there

[Ed Monix]

Simmons is one of the ultimate trick-or-treat players: he’s got a ton of talent but a ton of red flags. Kinda reminds me of Ron Artest in that way. A focused Ron was DPOY. An unhinged Ron would submarine a team.

A focused Simmons with the Jays makes this team one of the faves, imo. A lazy Simmons and we might get eliminated in the play-in.

That said, no way do we move Brown for Simmons. The package starts at Smart, and we go from there

That was my thinking too, but what's curious about the timing of this discussion, is that Smart cannot be moved until next year.

IMO currently the best trade option for Morey is with the Blazers, Simmons for CJ McCollum and future picks.

I have always thought De'Aaron Fox for Simmons was a reasonable trade, especially considering Simmons wants to live in California, but the Kings don't seem interested.

[Donoghus]

Mark Murphy
@Murf56
·
6m
Per league source: Report of Celtics discussing trade with Philadelphia for Ben Simmons is "untrue."

[Celtics2021]

I can’t see how Simmons would remotely survive Udoka’s press conferences.  Udoka was an assistant with him for a season tho, so maybe there’s something there?

Mostly this seems like Morey just throwing out teams because he’s not getting traction.  If the C’s made a move, it would be near the deadline after their trade restrictions are done, so we’ll see what the asking price is in February.

[bdm860]

It ain't exactly news, but Shams is a credible source, hence more people will talk about it now. I'd be interested to know who leaked this to Shams. Is it the Sixers, the Celtics or Simmons' agent? If it's the Sixers or the agent, chances are we are being used for leverage.

I really don't expect us to make Brown available. The Sixers can ask for whatever they want. Doesn't mean they'll actually get it.

Shams is credible with breaking news, but this is a rumor, not breaking news.

He's also repped by Klutch and breaks most of Klutch's stories.

If anything, this is Klutch using Shams as a mouthpiece, trying to increase trade offers for Simmons.

[gift]

Mark Murphy
@Murf56
·
6m
Per league source: Report of Celtics discussing trade with Philadelphia for Ben Simmons is "untrue."

Per Celtics FO

[PAOBoston]

This is 100% coming from Philly side lol. No chance this is real.

[Vermont Green]

Shams is a reliable source but I don't buy this one.  I believe that Philly would be interested in Brown for Simmons but that would be a horrible trade for the Celtics.

At this point, I am not even sure I like Smart for Simmons but that is far more realistic for the Celtics.  The Sixers still remain delusional so they probably view Smart for Simmons as a total non-starter.  Smart cannot be traded until Jan 25 according to Spotrac, for the record.

The reason that I am not even sure about Smart for Simmons is twofold, first, Smart is $14M and Simmons is $33M so a lot more would need to go out.  Maybe Smart and Horford or Smart and Richardson.  The second is that I don't think Simmons would want to be here.  If you could get some assurance directly from Simmons that yes he is excited to be a Celtic and would be ready to take whatever role the coaching staff has for him, OK, it is something worth exploring, but I don't see that.  I see more head case issues, more diva-pouting.

OK, here is an idea that is probably fair but that Philly still probably would not accept:

To Sac:      Draft Pick from Celtics
To Philly:    Smart and Bagley
To Boston:  Simmons  (Use Fournier TPE on Bagley as a separate deal)

So who wants to give up Smart and a pick for Simmons?  I say probably not because I do not believe Simmons would be happy in Boston but I guess if we can at least get him back on the court, maybe we flip him in the off season?