Looking to continue shedding salary, the Celtics have explored the idea of flipping Anfernee Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract, according to league sources. In such a move, they would be aiming to accomplish two organizational directives Brad Stevens emphasized after the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday: regaining more roster flexibility and setting up a path to retain free agents Luke Kornet and Al Horford.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
StatMuse @statmuse
Most BLK off the bench in the playoffs last season:
14 — Naz Reid
13 — Alex Caruso
12 — Luke Kornet
12 — Nicolas Batum
Only ones in double figures. pic.x.com/arxlaUgGAa – 11:29 AM
Most BLK off the bench in the playoffs last season:
14 — Naz Reid
13 — Alex Caruso
12 — Luke Kornet
12 — Nicolas Batum
Only ones in double figures. pic.x.com/arxlaUgGAa – 11:29 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Amari Williams to Boston with Porzingis traded, Horford/Kornet free agents – 9:36 PM
Amari Williams to Boston with Porzingis traded, Horford/Kornet free agents – 9:36 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
So just how does Anfernee Simons fit with the Celtics’ rotation? … And with the C’s still open to trades, could that be a moot question?
Also: what’s Luke Kornet looking at in the free agent market?
We talk to NBA people for the answers.
bit.ly/3TIInGd – 6:23 PM
So just how does Anfernee Simons fit with the Celtics’ rotation? … And with the C’s still open to trades, could that be a moot question?
Also: what’s Luke Kornet looking at in the free agent market?
We talk to NBA people for the answers.
bit.ly/3TIInGd – 6:23 PM
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlan
Just wrapped up an hour catching up on the offseason moves of the last 24 hours with @SamQuinnCBS.
Reaction and salary cap analysis on:
-Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons
-Kristaps Porzingis trade
-Jordan Poole for CJ McCollum
-Mavericks extending Kyrie Irving & Daniel Gafford pic.x.com/L41RSPrKpT – 12:55 AM
Just wrapped up an hour catching up on the offseason moves of the last 24 hours with @SamQuinnCBS.
Reaction and salary cap analysis on:
-Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons
-Kristaps Porzingis trade
-Jordan Poole for CJ McCollum
-Mavericks extending Kyrie Irving & Daniel Gafford pic.x.com/L41RSPrKpT – 12:55 AM
More on this storyline
The Celtics have already had an active offseason, but Stevens set the stage for more activity after the draft when he said he wants to retain Kornet and Horford. The team currently has minimal flexibility under the second apron and would need to cut even more salary to keep both big men while avoiding the tax. -via New York Times / June 27, 2025
“I’ll repeat it over and over and over, we need to regain our flexibility,” Stevens said. “We need to maximize assets in return, and we need to regain some flexibility here. And whatever that means from a final cost standpoint is what it means. But I think the biggest thing is, as you look at the rest of the team and what we’re trying to do, there is no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back. Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They’re going to have, I’m sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that’s well-deserved, but I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don’t want to put pressure on them. It’s their call ultimately. But, yeah, we would love to have those guys back.” -via New York Times / June 26, 2025
Jay King: Brad Stevens stressed he would like to bring back Al Horford and Luke Kornet. He called that a Celtics priority. Also said they will prioritize flexibility. Could that mean the Celtics keep making salary cuts to get under the luxury tax? I would guess they try to do that, if they can do it in a smart way. -via x.com / June 26, 2025
While doing so, he criticized the pending trade announced Monday, sending guard Anfernee Simons, 26, to the Boston Celtics for guard Jrue Holiday, 35. The trade can’t be finalized until early July. “Interestingly, last night I was watching the news and I saw that we traded Anfernee Simons,” Bonham said while stroking the side of his head. “And I thought, darn it, anyway, I’m gonna carry this bill tomorrow talking about my hometown team, wanting to stay in Oregon, and I think they just did something crazy.” -via Oregonian / June 26, 2025
Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-District 26) clearly loves the Portland Trail Blazers, but he wasn’t too thrilled with the team’s recent trade ahead of Wednesday night’s NBA draft. The Oregon Senate unanimously approved HCR 40, a resolution recognizing the importance of the Portland Trail Blazers to the state, on Tuesday. -via Oregonian / June 26, 2025