Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
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Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
Anfernee Simons’ future is a buzzword among Boston Celtics fans right now. The score-first guard is in the final few months of his four-year, $100 million contract. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
That scoring ability, coupled with an expiring deal, has led many Celtics fans to believe Simons could be dangled as a trade asset ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline. However, his growing production off the bench has started to muddy those waters, especially as the Celtics continue to cement themselves in the Eastern Conference.
According to ClutchPoint’s Tom Azerly, Simons’ performances have caught the eye of the Los Angeles Clippers. He is one of three guards, all of whom are on expiring contracts, that the Western Conference franchise is reportedly interested in.
“Other players that have been linked to the Clippers over the last several days are Collin Sexton, Anfernee Simons, and Coby White,” Azarly reported. “All three players are on expiring contracts and are currently on teams that likely prefer to move them for the right price. The Clippers are in need for another ball-handler and playmaker who could spell James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, so any of those three players could be an upgrade at the guard position for LA.”
Celtics Could Be Interested In Clippers’ Big Man
A deal with the Clippers could make sense for the Celtics. Veteran center Ivica Zubac has been a point of focus for a section of the fanbase this season. According to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, speaking via the “Celtics Talk Podcast,” the 7-foot big man would be the ideal addition to Joe Mazzulla’s roster.
“I think he’s the one guy I would be willing to splurge on a little bit,” Forsberg said. “His contract is so desirable. He checks a lot of boxes. (He’s) always in the top 20 in defensive rebounds. I think he led the NBA in defensive rebounds last year. He shores up your biggest need immediately. The defensive potential is obvious…For me, it comes down to plug-and-play. He fits this team. He’s kind of the perfect guy for this team.”
Whether the Clippers front office would sanction a Zubac-for-Simons type deal is another question entirely. Zubac is in the first season of a three-year, $58 million contract. He’s one of the best non-star bigs in the NBA.
The Celtics Should Be Wary Of Trading Simons
The problem with trading Simons is that it would leave the Celtics short on second-unit firepower. With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Payton Pritchard has moved into the starting lineup.
Unless Boston makes an additional move to add another guard (perhaps Ayo Dosunmu from the Chicago Bulls), then they would be fixing their center depth at the cost of their backcourt.
Nevertheless, Zubac projects as a long-term piece to Boston’s retooling puzzle. If he’s available, and a swap involving Simons is on the table, Brad Stevens should at least explore the possibilities.
With two weeks left until the trade deadline, the rumor mill is going to heat up. Fortunately, the fanbase won’t have to wait too long before learning what direction Stevens is going to take and how it will impact the team for the second half of the season.