Anfernee Simons Celtics future just got confirmed if latest rumor is true

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Boston Celtics are actively looking to trade Anfernee Simons. “Well, they’re trying,” Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective. “I have talked to other teams who have said the Celtics are actively trying to trade Anfernee Simons.” Trading Simons would help the Celtics get below the second apron (and potentially out of the luxury tax).

Boston acquired Simons in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, and although there were originally two second-round picks coming back to the Celtics in the deal, they have since been removed. But Simons’ time in Boston may end before it begins.

Trading Simons is still firmly on the table.

Why would Celtics trade Anfernee Simons?

One of Boston’s biggest goals heading into next season was to dip below the second apron. They have been a second-apron team in each of the past two seasons, and staying in that realm for three years of any five-year span triggers severe penalties.

The Celtics dipped below the second apron for a brief moment after the trades were reported, but by signing Luka Garza and Josh Minott, they leaked back over the mark.

At the same time, the Celtics could also benefit from dipping below the luxury tax line this season, as it would reset the repeater tax for them moving forward.

Simons is slated to make roughly $27.7 million next season. Trading that salary could go a long way in helping the Celtics cut down on their spending for next year.

Plus, trading Simons would also re-open up minutes for Payton Pritchard, who could have a chance to be a full-time starter alongside Derrick WHite next season.

Why do Celtics like Anfernee Simons?

That said, if the Celtics do end up keeping Simons around, they are confident in his abilities and room for improvement moving forward.

“I think Anfernee is a guy that people out here probably don't see as much because of the time that they play,” said Brad Stevens. “But his ability to score, his ability to shoot the ball, make really hard shots, is pretty elite. And you look at a guy that's 26 years old, [who’s] averaged 20 a game for three straight years. I think he's a really good player, and I think he can get better. And that's a big part of it.”