The Boston Celtics still have a couple of weeks before they have to figure things out, but there’s reason to believe the team could move on from Anfernee Simons.
The only question remaining is what the Celtics would want in return, as they’re likely still looking to cut salary but would like a decent player or pick in return.
MORE: Boston Celtics bolster frontcourt depth in recent mock trade
When recently proposing trade ideas, Matt Moore of FanSided came up with a few ideas, with one sending him to the Detroit Pistons for Tobias Harris and a lottery-protected first-round pick.
Celtics get: Tobias Harris, 2028 Lottery-protected first-round pick
Detroit Pistons get: Anfernee Simons
“Tobias Harris and a lottery-protected first-rounder gets the Pistons a long-term guard addition to use either off the bench or in three-guard lineups with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. The Pistons surrender at worst a back-15 pick and move Harris’ money for a younger, more long-term investment…
“Simons went for Holiday (after second-round compensation was later redacted), so the Pistons are giving up more value here than the Blazers did. But in doing so, they lock in shooting to replace Malik Beasley, and it gives them leverage in Jaden Ivey negotiations. At worst, it’s an expiring contract they can once again flip at the deadline,” he wrote.
Harris isn’t a great player, but he also isn’t as bad as some like to make him seem.
While he might not be perfect for what the Celtics are looking for, he’s also on an expiring deal.
As Moore touched on, it’s possible that Harris could work out in a smaller role and look to take a cheaper deal next offseason.
