NBA: Ben Simmons Rumor Sparks Fan Backlash in Boston — "Leave the Celtics out of this!!”

The name Ben Simmons once carried weight in the NBA—an All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and a towering presence on the court. But in 2024, the mention of his name in the same sentence as the Boston Celtics is enough to ignite a wave of digital outrage.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported that Simmons is expected to make a decision on his next NBA home soon, with the Celtics, Kings, Suns, and Knicks reportedly in the mix. The 6-foot-10 point-forward has not played at an All-Star level since 2021, and his time with the Brooklyn Nets has been marred by injuries, inconsistency, and waning confidence.

"I’m told he’s probably going to make a choice in the next week,” Windhorst said on Threads. “Kings, Suns, Knicks and, yes, Celtics have all been connected to him.”

While Simmons may still have untapped potential, Boston fans aren’t buying in.

🗣️ Fan Reaction: Instant Rejection

The rumor set off a wave of backlash on social media:

• “Please no. Bad vibes. And would just take minutes from the young guys,” one Celtics fan wrote.
• “Leave the Celtics out of this!!” another pleaded.
• “What would he even do in a Mazzulla offense?” questioned a third.

📉 Why Fans Are Concerned

Boston just lost Kristaps Porziņģis and Luke Kornet, with veteran Al Horford’s future uncertain. Simmons, while a versatile defender and ball-handler, hasn’t shown the explosiveness or confidence that once made him elite—and his offensive limitations could clash with Joe Mazzulla’s system, which thrives on spacing and perimeter shooting.

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Celtics fans aren’t just reacting to Simmons’ decline—they’re responding to what he represents: missed potential, locker room distractions, and a shaky fit in a system built around chemistry and movement. He’s not the missing piece, he’s a puzzle from a different box.