NBA Buzz: Ben Simmons Draws Interest from Four Teams, Including Recent Champs!

Despite being past his All-Star days, Ben Simmons, a former first overall draft pick, continues to be a valuable asset for any team needing strong defense. Following the conclusion of the 2024–25 NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers, Simmons is entering free agency. Although his scoring struggles are well-documented, he has reportedly garnered interest from at least four teams, as per NBA expert Marc Stein, including several contenders for the championship.

With Tyus Jones moving to the Magic and their target Marcus Smart joining the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns are on the lookout for seasoned playmakers, states Stein. The Suns are contemplating bringing back Chris Paul, who was with the team from 2020 to 2023, but have also been in discussions with Simmons. They are not the only ones interested, however, as Stein also mentions the Knicks, Celtics, and Kings as potential suitors for Simmons.

Last season, Simmons appeared in 50 games across stints with the Clippers and the Nets, marking his most game appearances since the 2020–21 season, his last with the 76ers. He managed to average five points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, displaying brief moments of defensive prowess with the Clippers. Despite being only 29 years old, he is primarily seen as a role player at this stage of his career.

The Knicks are looking to be top contenders in the Eastern Conference next season after making it to the conference finals in 2025. Meanwhile, the Celtics, not long from their last NBA championship, may not be aggressively pursuing a title especially with Jayson Tatum likely missing the entire season due to a torn Achilles, but they aren’t expected to completely give up on the ’25–26 season either.

The Kings are also pushing to secure a spot in the playoffs, led by seasoned players like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis. On the other hand, the Suns, having recently separated from Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, are the only team among them that’s truly rebuilding. If Simmons aims to recapture his form from 2021, the last year he was selected for the All-Star Game, the Suns might offer him the most playing time.

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