Why Trading Anfernee Simons Isn’t Simple for the Celtics

When the Boston Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons as part of the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers this summer, it was widely assumed that his time with the franchise would be short-lived. Simons is in the final year of his current contract, earning $27.6 million.

However, Simons has carved out an important role for himself within Joe Mazzulla’s rotation. He has slotted into the sixth-man role that Payton Pritchard vacated upon moving into the starting lineup to begin the season. As such, trading Simons has become a little trickier for Boston’s front office.

The big man position is the Celtics’ most significant area of need. A move involving Simons would likely require another center to join the franchise. Yet, if that were to be the case, Boston would become short-handed at the backup guard position.

Outside of Derrick White and Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman and rookie Max Shulga are the only other guards on the roster. Neither appears ready to anchor Boston’s second-string scoring in the way Simons has this season.

In 29 games, all off the bench, Simons is averaging 13 points, 2.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds, shooting 43.1% from the field and 36.9% from deep. He has had moments, such as Boston’s recent win over the Indiana Pacers, where his scoring has helped create momentum for Mazzulla’s team to build on.

Losing Simons without another guard coming back in return would put the Celtics in a difficult position. Stevens would either need a secondary trade to add some more guard depth, likely at the expense of some of the young talent on the roster and future draft assets. Alternatively, the Celtics would be forced to look for depth in the free-agency market, where players such as Cameron Payne and Alec Burks are the headline names.

Trading Simons could solve multiple issues for the Celtics, including getting them out of the luxury tax. Still, the move wouldn’t be a quick fix. New issues would arise, starting with finding a reliable backup ball-handler to provide a scoring punch off the bench.