Unexpected Contender Emerges as Front-Runner to Land Ben Simmons This Offseason—What It Means for the NBA Power Balance

Ben Simmons — once the golden boy, the No. 1 pick with sky-high expectations — now stands at a curious crossroads. As the Los Angeles Clippers’ season fades into the rearview, he’ll officially hit free agency, a phrase loaded with promise and uncertainty alike. Can a player who’s been tantalizing and frustrating in equal measure find a fresh start? Or is this just another chapter in a career haunted by missed shots, injury setbacks, and elusive consistency? The Celtics are early favorites to snatch him up, but the question lingers: what exactly is the real value of a talent that dazzles with defense and playmaking, yet falls short of the star power his draft pedigree once promised? Grab a seat, because Ben’s next move might not just redefine his legacy—it could shake up the NBA dance floor in ways we didn’t see coming.

With the Los Angeles Clippers‘ season coming to an end, Ben Simmons will officially be a free agent.

The former No. 1 pick has had a disappointing career since his public fall-out with the Philadelphia 76ers.

He never recovered from that loss to the Atlanta Hawks, and he continues to struggle to stay on the court.

Nevertheless, given his age and talent, someone will certainly make a run at him in the offseason.

With that in mind, NBA Central revealed that the Boston Celtics are currently the odds-on favorites to land him, boasting +400 odds at Bovada.

The Boston Celtics are the favorites to land Ben Simmons if he doesn’t re-sign with the Clippers, per @BovadaOfficial

Boston Celtics +400
New York Knicks +750
Cleveland Cavaliers +800
Miami Heat +800
Guangdong Tigers +900
Philadelphia 76ers +900
Melbourne United +1600
SE… pic.twitter.com/0Er2voeSU7

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 6, 2025

Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game on 52% from the floor in 51 appearances this season.

At this point, it’s hard to believe he’ll ever be a factor as a scorer, but his playmaking skills are more than well-documented.

He also has the potential to guard one through five and be an elite defender.

Simmons should still have a place in the league, as long as the price is right and the expectations are low.

He’s never going to live up to the hype, and his days of being an All-Star or Defensive Player of the Year candidate are far behind him.

Even so, teams needing another stopper who can play him at the three or the four and hide him on offense could certainly benefit from his services.

That, of course, provided he manages to stay healthy, which has also been another major issue with him since he entered the league as the No. 1 pick.

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