The proposed trade would send Anfernee Simons to the Miami Heat
Getty
The proposed trade would send Anfernee Simons to the Miami Heat
The Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons has heard the speculation. With the February 5 trade deadline approaching, his name continues surfacing in trade rumors as Boston searches for frontcourt help.
Simons addressed those rumors Thursday during a charity event at the Auerbach Center, where he hosted the 2025-26 ‘Fit For a Cause’ program alongside fifty Boston Scientific employees and thirty youth from local Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA.
When asked about the trade talk swirling around him, Simons offered a veteran’s perspective. He’s been in the league eight years now. Trade rumors have become constant at this point in his career.
“Once you’ve been in the league for eight years, the trade rumors become constant…control what you can control,” Simons said.
It was a measured response from a player who understands the business side of basketball but can’t afford to let speculation affect his performance.
Noa Dalzell 🏀
Anfernee Simons is here at a fitness event at the Auerbach Center with 30 youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest, and YMCA of Greater Boston.
Why Simons’ Name Keeps Coming Up in Celtics Trade Talk
Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
GettyAnfernee Simons, Boston Celtics.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on SiriusXM NBA Radio that Simons is someone on the trade market. Boston is looking for frontcourt help and big man reinforcement, Haynes said. He thinks the Celtics will make a trade even if it’s small, but mentioning Simons suggests any deal would involve a legitimate contributor.
Simons has been linked to multiple trade scenarios throughout the season. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that when the Los Angeles Clippers were struggling with a 6-21 record to begin the season, the Celtics inquired about an exploratory framework involving Simons, a first-round pick, and a future first-round pick swap for Ivica Zubac and salary filler. That proposal didn’t gain any traction.
The Chicago Bulls also inquired about trading center Nikola Vucevic for Simons and a Celtics first-round pick, which would have lowered Boston’s tax bill. The Celtics weren’t interested in that deal either, according to Scotto.
Those conversations reveal Boston’s priorities. General manager Brad Stevens is exploring upgrades at center, but he’s not willing to move Simons for just any available big man. The return would need to be significant enough to justify losing a guard who’s averaging 14.2 points per game off the bench.
Ian Inangelo
Anfernee Simons on dealing with trade rumors this time of year
Simons’ Defensive Improvements Make Him Valuable
When the Celtics traded All-Defensive Team guard Jrue Holiday for Simons last offseason, concerns about defense immediately surfaced. Simons had a reputation as a negative defender for most of his career. This season has changed that perception.
He’s averaging 0.6 steals per game with a defensive rating of 119.0, both tied for the third-best marks of his career. His plus-162 rating is the highest of his career and currently fifth on the Celtics. Those improvements make him more valuable in trade discussions or as a keeper.
Simons credited the work he’s done with Celtics player development coach Ross McMains. The focus on defense started from day one.
“Just overall, having that mindset, finding ways to play make in that area,” Simons said. “I think from the first day I got here, we drilled that every single day. That was the first thing we did, before we even touched the basketball, dribble the basketball, we dedicated the first 30 minutes of the workout to play making on defense and positioning on the defense.”
That commitment to defensive improvement has made Simons a more complete player. Boston can deploy him in more situations without worrying about him becoming a liability on that end. His offensive production was never in question—it’s the defensive strides that have elevated his value.
Asked Anfernee Simons about Ross McMains’ role in his growth on defense.
“That was the first thing we did before we even touched a basketball, dribbled a basketball, we dedicated the first 30 minutes of the workout to playmaking on defense and positioning on defense.” https://t.co/fW4ZbXWXR1 pic.twitter.com/oSmHCOXe7C
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) January 29, 2026
The Celtics’ Trade Deadline Calculus
Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
GettyBrad Stevens, Boston Celtics.
Boston sits at 26-16 and second in the Eastern Conference despite playing the entire season without Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown has carried the offensive load, averaging 29.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game.
The Celtics are 15-6 since December 1, the best record in the NBA during that stretch. They have the second-best net rating in the league at plus-7.3. Those numbers suggest Boston doesn’t need dramatic changes, but adding frontcourt depth could help in playoff matchups against bigger teams.
Stevens will likely make a move before February 5, but it might not involve Simons. The guard has proven valuable both as a scoring punch off the bench and as someone who’s bought into the defensive system. Trading him for a marginal upgrade at center doesn’t make sense unless the Celtics identify a clear difference-maker.
If Boston does move Simons, it will be for a player who meaningfully improves their championship odds. Mid-level centers don’t fit that description. The Celtics are playing well enough that they don’t need to force a trade just to say they made one.
Final Word
Simons’ ability to control what he can control will serve him well over the next week. He can’t prevent his name from appearing in trade rumors, but he can continue performing at a high level and contributing to a Celtics team that’s exceeding expectations.
The charity event Thursday showed another side of Simons—someone committed to giving back to the Boston community. He talked about feeling welcomed by the city and embraced by the organization. It feels like he’s been here longer than he actually has, Simons said. The family-type atmosphere has made the transition comfortable.
Whether that family includes him beyond February 5 depends on what offers Stevens receives. The Celtics have one week to determine if an upgrade exists that justifies moving a guard who’s improved defensively and provides consistent offensive production off the bench.
Simons will keep focusing on what he can control—his performance, his defensive effort, and his connection to the community. The rest is out of his hands. Eight years in the league has taught him that much.