Celtics guard Anfernee Simons continues to be linked in trade talks

Celtics guard Anfernee Simons has but to formally step foot on the parquet ground in Boston.

However Boston’s offseason addition — acquired as a part of a swap with Portland that included Jrue Vacation — isn’t assured a spot on Boston’s roster, at the least when factoring within the a number of commerce rumors hovering across the poised scorer.

Because the Celtics reportedly proceed to weigh their choices when it comes to moving Simons with the intention to recoup belongings and/or clear his $27.6 million wage off the books, two NBA groups are reportedly preserving tabs on Simons’ availability this offseason. 

“The 76ers and Nuggets are among the many groups which have expressed curiosity in a attainable commerce for Celtics guard Anfernee Simons, NBA sources informed Hoops Wire,” Sam Amico wrote on Sunday.

Whereas a number of groups may use a confirmed scorer like Simons (19.3 factors per recreation in 2024-25) who may sink pictures from past the arc (38.1 profession 3-point capturing share), it stays to be seen what number of groups trying to contend additionally has the fiscal flexibility to take Simons’ contract off of Boston’s palms, particularly given the restrictive nature of the NBA’s CBA construction. 

With Jayson Tatum anticipated to overlook most, if not all, of the 2025 season whereas recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Boston may use Simons’ scoring punch,— be within the beginning lineup or off the bench. 

Talking in July, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens acknowledged that Simons could be a key cog on Boston’s revamped lineup in the course of the 2025-26 season. 

“I believe Anfernee is a man that folks out right here in all probability don’t see as a lot due to the time that they play,” Stevens said of Simons. “However his skill to attain, his skill to shoot the ball and make actually onerous pictures is fairly elite. 

“And also you take a look at a man that’s 26 years outdated, that’s averaged 20 [points] a recreation for 3 straight years, I believe he’s a very good participant. And I believe he can get higher, and that’s a giant a part of it.”

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.