BOSTON – The Boston Celtics have wasted no time reshaping their roster this offseason. The Celtics’ latest plan involves a potential Anfernee Simons trade to cut salary and preserve flexibility for crucial veterans. League insiders confirm the front office wants to offload Simons’ $27.7 million expiring deal to slip under the luxury tax line.
The Celtics Are Keen To Move 38.1% Flamethrower To Keep Trio
Balancing Winning and Payroll
After trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis this week, Boston still sits about $15 million over the tax threshold. An Anfernee Simons trade by the Celtics could help reset costly repeater penalties that weigh heavily on repeat spenders under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.
Team president Brad Stevens underlined that the front office remains focused on financial flexibility. “There’s a lot of things that go into these moves and a lot of things that are really important,” Stevens said. “It goes back to prioritizing our flexibility.”
By moving Simons, Boston can position itself to keep trusted veterans Luke Kornet and Al Horford. Both big men are pillars of depth and locker room stability—two traits the Celtics cannot afford to lose.
Simons’ Skillset Brings Value
The Celtics trade discussions involving Anfernee Simons are not about his talent. Simons remains an elite shooter with proven scoring punch. He averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season with Portland. He’s drained threes at a 38.1% clip for his career.
Yet his expiring contract now serves more as a chess piece than a core roster asset. He arrived in Boston via the Holiday deal but could depart before playing a single minute in green and white.
Jayson Tatum’s Injury Adds Pressure
Complicating matters is Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, which will sideline him for a lengthy stretch. The Celtics trading Anfernee Simons would trim payroll now, freeing resources to plug gaps while Tatum recovers.
Boston knows the stakes. Shedding salary in the short term could create space for future spending once Tatum returns healthy.
A Tough Market for Guards
One obstacle to finalizing any Simons trade remains the guard market itself. Many teams used draft picks to bolster backcourts last week. Orlando’s trading for Desmond Bane also closed one possible door. With few teams seeking high-priced guards, finding a match may prove tricky.
Still, Stevens has a reputation for making the improbable happen. He just slashed an estimated $180 million in tax payments by parting with Holiday and Porziņģis. Stevens has also shown he can squeeze value from tough situations and unpopular deals.
Keeping the Core Together
Sam Hauser, another trade candidate, seems likely to stay despite his movable four-year, $45 million deal. The Celtics want to keep their strongest shooters intact as they manage injuries and cap constraints. By prioritizing the Anfernee Simons trade over moving Hauser, the Celtics signal where its front-office priorities lie.
A Window Into Boston’s Thinking
The Celtics understand this moment could define the next few seasons. Resetting the tax clock now helps them stay competitive without sacrificing stars down the line. A healthy Tatum, Jaylen Brown and a balanced roster can still contend.
So, expect Stevens to explore every scenario in the coming weeks. As he said himself, “There’s a lot of things that are really important.” Right now, that means finding the right partner to take on Simons’ scoring and salary so Boston’s championship window stays wide open.
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