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Boston Celtics Draft Profile: Ben Simmons

By Joshua Bateman

Feb 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts late during the second half of a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Alabama defeated LSU 76-69. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts late during the second half of a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Alabama defeated LSU 76-69. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics may wind up being the beneficiaries of Ben Simmons‘ absence in the NCAA tournament because they will certainly need him to fall in the draft in order to be able to take him. Simmons has long been looked at as the top prospect of this draft and if he is available when they are picking the Celtics will not be able to pass on him.

Ben Simmons may be the ideal prospect for Stevens’ system. The versatile and dynamic big could see every aspect of his incredible skill set optimized with Brad Stevens. Of course, Simmons has all the rebounding and scoring numbers that are to be expected from a potential number one overall pick, but his assist numbers may be the most intriguing for the Celtics.

The Celtics play in a system where everyone needs to be a willing passer. Isaiah Thomas had such an improved season, not because he drastically increased his scoring, but because he expanded his game and became more of a play maker and distributor than a pure scorer.

Simmons, despite being the only legitimate option at LSU, had no problem being a willing passer. The Celtics need a dominate scorer in their front court and Simmons may be one of the unique players that can bring that dominant scoring along with a great ability to pass. Finding a balance between he two is the key to running Stevens’ offense and Simmons may already be equipped to do so.

Simmons’ 4.8 assists per game are nothing staggering, but for a power forward that is more than enough to demonstrate his ability to be a distributor. The league was taken by storm when Giannis Antetokounmpo started playing a hybrid point forward position, Simmons has shown similar potential to be a ball handler in the front court.

Simmons will not be able to take over Thomas’ role as the primary ball handler. However, the Celtics have no front court players that have shown any significant ability to play with the ball in their hands, and that versatility that Simmons brings will completely expand what Stevens is able to do with their front court.

The passing is what makes Simmons such a great option to play within Stevens’ system but he can dominate in so many other ways. The Celtics will certainly look to improve Simmons’ jump shot but even without that, his abilities to be a game changer for the Celtics would be unlimited. His position-less versatility is perfect for a coach that is always playing around with lineups.

Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) controls the ball in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) controls the ball in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Simmons can certainly play with the ball in his hands and Stevens will certainly use him any where from the 3 to the 5. Simmons’ ability to defend is how he can have an immediately massive impact on the team. The Celtics have phenomenal versatile on ball defenders in their back court and Simmons will bring a similar ability to stay with the best ball handlers, while standing just under 7 feet tall.

Defense is what would make Simmons truly impossible to pass up if available when the Celtics are picking. They need to improve their interior defense and while Simmons may not be an elite shot blocker, he possesses all the skills that are necessary to be an elite defender in the NBA, and he is only 19 years old.

Simmons will also be a great addition to the Celtics’ play in transition. His ability to handle the ball in the open court and on the fast break will give the Celtics an unstoppable force in transition, and transition will always be a vital area on a team that generates as many steals as the Celtics.

Simmons already appears to be a perfect fit, on both ends of the court, for the Celtics and if he developed a jump shot he could immediately be in contention for the best player on the Celtics. Without the jump shot, Simmons still have an incredible ability to produce in the paint and is already strong enough to fight through NBA level contact.

The Celtics will either need to get incredibly lucky with the lottery odds, or get incredibly lucky with Simmons dropping in the draft in order to get him. Simmons is a unique talent that appears to be tailor made for what Stevens is trying to do with his bigs. The Celtics often look for dynamic bigs that can stretch the floor. Even if Simmons is not yet ready to be a top shooter he will create all kinds of space for the other shooters on the team.

Next: Thomas to Represent the Celtics at Draft Lottery

Simmons will give the Celtics a dominant offensive force in the paint and that will open up much more space to move the ball and get open shots. Simmons would be able to come in as a day one difference maker for the Celtics and the upside is apparently unlimited. Simmons is the kind of prospect that can turn into a once in a generation type talent but the unfortunate reality is that not even the Nets’ pick may be high enough for the Celtics to land him.

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