Ben Simmons, Celtics Report Surfaces After Damian Lillard’s Decision

Jul 21, 2025 12:30 AM EDT

The Boston Celtics were in the mix for Damian Lillard, but the nine-time All-Star decided to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday’s edition of ESPN’s NBA Today that the Celtics were among Lillard’s top preferences.

“Over a dozen teams made minimum and mid-level exception offers to Damian Lillard,” Charania said. “Two teams in particular, I’m told, that Damian Lillard really considered – that’s the Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves. He held calls with both teams at different points.”

Lillard instead returned to Portland to be closer to his family, which forces the Celtics to turn to some of the other unrestricted free agents left on the market. There are still some left over a few weeks into free agency.

Former Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) — Source: © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Boston already has their sights set on one in particular. Marc Stein reported that the Celtics are among the four teams interested in former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons.

“League sources say that the Suns have also had some recent dialogue with former All-Star Ben Simmons, who I’m told has drawn interest since free agency began from Boston, New York and Sacramento,” Stein wrote.

Simmons is not the player who made multiple All-Star teams, multiple All-Defense teams, and an All-NBA team back when he played for the Philadelphia 76ers from 2016 to 2021. Last season, he averaged five points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field in his time with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.