The Boston Celtics might have a busy offseason ahead of them (potential Jaylen Brown trade, searching for an upgrade at center, filling out the rest of the roster), and it's important that they right one of their past wrongs and bring Anfernee Simons back in free agency.
Boston traded Simons to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic ahead of last season's deadline, which was a controversial decision even at the time. It made sense in theory because of Jayson Tatum's impending return (Boston didn't need another iso scorer, especially if Payton Pritchard was going to revert to his role as a sixth man), but Simons was also playing some of his best basketball of the season. And there were real concerns about Vucevic's horrific defense.
In his final 20 games with the Celtics, the Florida native averaged 15.9 points on 45.1/42.5/88% shooting splits, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. He also turned into a capable defender and looked like a legitimate asset (he scored 27 points on 10-for-18 shooting in a victory against the Milwaukee Bucks in his final game with the team).
With Vucevic most likely gone and the Celtics still in need of another scorer, especially if Brown is on his way out, it would make sense for the team to reunite with Simons and pick up where they left off last season.
Anfernee Simons gives the Celtics a little variety
One of the main reasons a lot of people were skeptical of Simons' fit in Boston is also the same reason he needs to return: he's different from the guards the team typically builds around.
Derrick White. Jrue Holiday. Marcus Smart. And if we want to go even further back, Avery Bradley. Rajon Rondo. Tony Allen. These are all defensive aces who either can score, playmake/pass, rebound, or just impact the game in other ways.
Simons is the opposite. He's a shooter first, and everything else second. And in Joe Mazzulla's system, a player with this style could be incredibly valuable. Having him on the court would give the Celtics a microwave scorer (especially if Payton Pritchard finds himself in the starting lineup next season) and someone who can change the pace a little bit.
(Plus, the Miami Heat have been linked to the 27-year-old, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. This could be a nice get-back for Boston after the whole Giannis Antetokounmpo trade saga.)
All of this will depend on how much Simons is looking for in free agency. But if the money is right, the Celtics should absolutely bring him back into the mix.
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