Bill Simmons Has Mixed Emotions Over Celtics’ Anfernee Simons Trade
Bill Simmons is one of the world’s most famous Boston Celtics fans, so it’s not surprising that he had something to say after they traded Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic on Tuesday.
Simmons had mixed emotions on the trade. On the one hand, he praised it as a smart basketball move by the Celtics.
“It saved the Celtics six and a half million dollars, got them under the first apron, saved them a bunch of tax stuff, allows them now to get a buyout guy before the end of the season or to use one of their trade exceptions,” Simmons said in an Instagram video post. “So, this trade could really be Simons for Vucevic plus a second guy.”
Simmons also thinks the trade has the potential to make Boston’s roster better, especially if Jayson Tatum comes back from his Achilles injury soon. Tatum would likely take Simons’ minutes off the bench, while Vucevic gives the Celtics some much-needed size and can be an upgrade over Luka Garza.
That said, Simmons liked watching Simons play and will miss having him on the team.
“Simons, who basically comes in as this trade machine cap figure guy, really won over Celtics fans. I liked him. He was a great heat check guy,” Simmons said. “I’m a huge fan, and I know it made sense for the team, for the organization…I get all that. But I really like Simons. I hope he ends up on a good team.”
Simmons added that he hopes the Bulls trade Simons to a contender or that Simons comes back and signs with Boston this summer.
Time will tell. But in the meantime, the Celtics and their fans will soldier on without him.
“Simons, good luck, man. You won all of us over. Good job,” Simmons concluded.