NBA Writer Floats Trade Idea Sending Anfernee Simons For Veteran Center

The Boston Celtics could be looking to improve their frontcourt before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 5.

Even though the trade deadline is still far away, it’s never too early to float out possible players the Celtics could trade for.

Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley made a trade prediction on Wednesday that sends Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton to Boston for Anfernee Simons, a 2026 second-round pick (via ORL, DET or MIL) and a 2027 first-round pick (top-five protected).

“The Celtics, admittedly, thinned their own frontcourt with the financially-driven subtractions of Kristaps Porziņģis, Luke Kornet and Al Horford, but they’ll want to have their big-man collection in better shape for whenever Jayson Tatum is ready to return from his torn Achilles,” Buckley wrote. “Claxton would immediately be the best interior anchor in Boston, essentially serving as a more skilled version of current starter Neemias Queta.”

Claxton is now in his seventh year with the Nets, and this season he is averaging 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

The Nets currently sit at 3-14 and could be looking to add pieces for the future, which could help down the line. With Claxton only having two years left on his contract after this season, trading him now could make sense.