Just weeks after acquiring Anfernee Simons in a salary-dumping move that sent star guard Jrue Holiday and valuable future assets to Portland, the Celtics have found themselves trying to move the former Trail Blazer this offseason. In the latest update, it seems they may need to add some draft picks to finalize a trade involving Simons.
According to Jay King of The Athletic, there are not many suitors to take on Simons. This means the Celtics will have to add necessary draft capital if they intend to move the guard.
“At this point, I don’t think it’s a matter of how much draft capital the Celtics would get for trading Simons,” King wrote. “It’s a matter of how much draft capital they would have to give up. He doesn’t seem to have a strong market.”
The problem with retaining Simons is his $27.6 million salary for the 2025-26 season and no team control beyond the next season. The Celtics, who have made several moves this offseason to shed salary, may have to make one more move despite their resistance to losing draft capital for it.
“While Stevens has made it clear he does not want to part ways with significant draft assets to cut salary, it would be helpful to get out of the luxury tax and begin the process of resetting the repeater tax if a feasible path to do so exists,” King added.
The Celtics are reportedly not rushing with respect to moving Simons. He may very well start the season in Boston, while in the meantime, the front office will try to make a favorable deal happen.
