FILE – Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 4, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images/AFP
The Boston Celtics have expressed interest in trading for Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons, The Athletic reported Monday.
The report described the talks as “fluid with no traction as of yet,” and said any potential deal must include Boston forward Jaylen Brown.
Later Monday, the Boston Herald cited league sources that termed the report “untrue.”
Simmons, a three-time All-Star, has yet to play for the 76ers this season. The team reportedly began fining him his $360,000 game checks last Friday for each contest he misses.
Simmons, 25, has told the organization he is working on his mental health. He had refused to accept any help from team physicians, but ESPN reported Monday that he met with a team-sanctioned medical specialist to discuss his mental health.
Simmons has four years and $147 million left on his five-year contract. He has averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists in 275 games since Philadelphia drafted him No. 1 overall in 2016 — two spots ahead of Brown.
Brown, 25, made his first All-Star team last season and is averaging a career-high 25.6 points through eight games this season. He is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.