Boston Celtics Struggling to Find Trade for Anfernee Simons
The Boston Celtics are struggling to find a trade for Anfernee Simons, according to NBA reporter Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com.
The Celtics acquired Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday trade on July 7. Simons will make $27.7 million next season in the final year of his contract.
“Sources told FastbreakJournal.com that Boston entered the offseason focused on shedding salary and had struggled to find a trade partner for Anfernee Simons’ contract since acquiring him in the Jrue Holiday trade. Simons remains a trade candidate to monitor,” Afseth wrote.
Simons averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks for the Trail Blazers last season in 70 games. He shot 42.6% from the floor, 36.3% from 3 and 90.2% from the free-throw line.
The 26-year-old Simons has career averages of 15.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.1 blocks in the NBA. He didn’t have an introductory press conference with the Celtics.
Boston lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in six games. Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden and is expected to miss all of next season.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has been extremely busy this offseason. He traded Holiday to the Trail Blazers for Simons and Kristaps Porziņģis to the Atlanta Hawks for Georges Niang.
Stevens then traded Niang to the Utah Jazz for RJ Luis Jr. He also signed Chris Boucher, Luka Garza and Josh Minott.
The Celtics, who have the most championships (18) in NBA history, also signed head coach Joe Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension. Mazzulla is 182-64 in the regular season and 33-17 in the playoffs with Boston.
“We are very excited that Joe has agreed to extend with the Celtics,” Stevens said. “He understands the job and has a passion for the Celtics that is only rivaled by our most die-hard fans. He’s worked hard and accomplished amazing things in his first three years as a head coach – including averaging over 60 wins per season and winning the 2024 NBA Championship.
“Joe is a gifted leader who brings a consistent commitment to learning, improving, and maximizing each day we get to compete for the Boston Celtics.”
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