The Boston Celtics have completed their mission this offseason: cutting costs and getting below the second apron by trading Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holliday. Seeing those two shipped out, along with the departures of Al Horford and Luke Kornet, was a tough pill for Celtics fans to swallow just a year after winning the championship.
But, with Jayson Tatum presumably missing all of this upcoming season with a torn Achilles, there was no reason to spend all this money when you wouldn’t win it all. Now, the Celtics are currently over the first apron by just four million.
To put themselves back into championship contention once Tatum returns, the Celtics must make the obvious decision to trade Anfernee Simons to get out of the first apron.
Celtics Must Trade Anfernee Simons
The initial reaction among Celtics fans when they acquired Anfernee Simons was that they got a steal, only having to give up Jrue Holiday. Yes, they acquired the younger and currently better player on a cheaper deal; however, Simons is entering the final year of his four-year, $100 million contract.
Simons, 26, is a great scorer and the perfect Joe Mazzulla player, averaging 19.3 points in 32.7 minutes per game, shooting 36.3% from three. Even though he’s an elite scorer, Simons doesn’t provide anything outside of scoring.
He’s regarded as a horrible defender, posting the 11th-worst defensive rating last season (119), and averaged only 2.7 rebounds last season. Simons will command a big pay-day in the offseason and will want at least $30 million a year.
His skillset isn’t worth investing a huge contract in, considering the Celtics’ numerous needs, and the Celtics were reportedly actively shopping him last month. Also, they never held a press conference welcoming him to the team, which is another indicator they’re trying to flip him.
Even if the return isn’t much, the Celtics must trade Simons before the trade deadline or risk losing him for nothing. Trading Simmons would not only get them below the first apron but also give them no trade or buyout restrictions.