The 2021 NBA Finals haven't concluded yet, but that hasn't stopped the offseason rumor mill from picking up steam over the last couple days.
Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons is one of the most notable names to watch this summer, and the latest update on his future in Philly came Tuesday morning from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
"The 76ers have opened up trade conversations surrounding Simmons and have engaged with teams, sources told The Athletic," Charania wrote.Ā "Those sources also say that teams that have engaged with the 76ers about Simmons have been met with a high price threshold for the three-time All-Star.
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ā(The 76ers) want an All-Star-caliber player in return,ā one source with knowledge of the ongoing talks said."
Charania also noted that interest in Simmons is "robust."
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This isn't surprising at all. Even though Simmons has some concerning limitations on offense -- he can't/won't shoot 3-pointers and is a poor free throw shooter -- he still is a triple-double threat most games and consistently plays elite perimeter defense.
Simmons averaged 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game this season. He also was selected to the NBA All-Star Game for the third consecutive year.
How does Simmons' situation impact the Celtics?
Despite needing a point guard, the Celtics aren't a logical fit for Simmons, especially if it would cost an All-Star such as Jaylen Brown to make a deal work. The Celtics need more shooting, and Simmons isn't a threat from the outside.
Simmons also has a max contract with four years and around $140 million remaining. That's not the type of contract the Celtics should acquire unless it's for a top-five player. A scoring guard such as Bradley Beal would be a much better trade target for the C's.
The Sixers are one of the Celtics' top competitors in the Eastern Conference, so any type of Simmons trade -- whether it's a good or bad deal for Philly -- will impact Boston to some degree.Ā
It's a very important decision for the Sixers that likely will significantly alter the path of the franchise.