The Boston Celtics seem to be one of the teams interested in a trade for Ben Simmons.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Sixers and Celtics have discussed a possible trade, but there is “no traction” at this time. The Sixers are expected to require Jaylen Brown as part of any deal package for Simmons. Any negotiations, according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald, were “untrue.”
To stay under the salary cap, Boston would have to add about $1.8 million in salaries along with Brown for a Simmons deal to work. Bruno Fernando’s inclusion in the trade would effectively make it a one-for-one swap of young stars.
Brown and Jayson Tatum are talented young wing duo, but they have a level of similarity that leads to stagnation.
Simmons is an all-around defender who can defend five positions and is a highly open-court attacker who can provide some two-way versatility.
Meanwhile, given how tense the Simmons issue has become, the Sixers would be pleased to get a player of Brown’s caliber.
Last week, the team continued fining Simmons for his refusal to disclose the mental health issues that have kept him off the court.
