The Boston Celtics have made every move necessary to stay under the second luxury tax apron. So far this offseason, they’ve had to make the necessary financial moves to do so.
In convincing efforts to do this, general manager Brad Stevens has parted ways with multiple players from the Celtics’ 2024 championship run. This includes players like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.
Boston has already moved Georges Niang, the player who was included in the deal that sent Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. Reports indicate that the Celtics are also looking to trade guard Anfernee Simons, whom they acquired in the Jrue Holiday deal.
NBA insider Jake Fischer spoke on the Celtics’ current situation with Simons, saying that Boston will continue their motive to trade him into next season. If a trade happens, it would have to be before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“The expectation persists, furthermore, that Boston will continue to invite trade discussion involving Anfernee Simons from now through next season’s trade deadline on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET,” Fischer wrote.
Simons, a first-round pick in 2018, was one of the Portland Trail Blazers’ most consistent scorers as his role increased throughout the years. Boston’s reason behind trading for him was to save money, and they did so, moving Holiday (set to make $32.4 million next season) for Simons (set to make $27.67 million next season.
Simons will play for a team, whether it’s the Boston Celtics or a team that trades for him, on an expiring contract. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
