Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Getty
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics took care of business in Dallas on Tuesday night.
Boston beat the Mavericks 110-100, pushing their winning streak to three games and improving to 32-18 on the season. Jaylen Brown carried the offense with 33 points. Payton Pritchard chipped in 26 coming off the bench. Luka Garza stayed perfect from deep, hitting all four of his three-point attempts.
The win came hours after the roster changed.
That afternoon, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Boston had dealt Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick. The move addressed Boston’s frontcourt need but ended Simons’ brief run with the team.
After the game, Brown had plenty to say about his former teammate.
Shams Charania
BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading center Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick to the Boston Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
Jaylen Brown Did Not Hold Back
Jaylen Brown spoke openly about Anfernee Simons following the game, and he did not mince words.
“Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me — it’s a business, but there’s a human aspect to it,” Brown said. “And since he’s been here, he’s contributed to winning. He’s won us some games. He’s just a great, great person, great kid on and off the floor, just humble.”
Brown kept going. He emphasized how Simons handled a complicated situation from the moment he arrived at the Celtics.
“I hope he gets everything that he’s looking for just because he just fit right in with his group of guys in our locker room,” Brown said. “He could have had different thoughts and thought differently, and his energy could have been different.”
The respect ran deep. Brown acknowledged the business reality of the trade but made it clear Simons did everything right during his time at the Celtics.
“Man, he was a great teammate and did everything he needed to do that we asked him and more and contributed to winning,” Brown said. “So Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me, and I hope he gets everything he deserves.”
It was one of the more candid responses Brown has offered about a traded teammate. The tone said everything about how much Simons meant to the locker room.
Noa Dalzell 🏀
Jaylen Brown really gushed when asked by @ByJayKing about Anfernee Simons being traded:
“Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me — it’s a business, but there’s a human aspect to it. And since he’s been here, he’s contributed to winning. He’s won us some games. He’s
Payton Pritchard on Losing Another Celtics Teammate
Payton Pritchard echoed a similar sentiment.
“Love Ant,” Pritchard said. “When you build a bond with your teammates, it’s tough to see them leave — the Al Horfords, the Jrue Holiday, Luke, KP, now Anfernee, you definitely miss them, but it’s part of the business.”
Pritchard rattled off names like he was reading a list of departures that defined recent Celtics history. Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis all moved on in various deals. Simons now joins that group.
The bonds formed over a season matter, even when everyone understands how the league works. Pritchard has watched teammates leave before. His response reflected that experience.
“So, you wish him well,” Pritchard said. “And then when you see him, you gotta go at him.”
It was a lighter way to finish, but the message stayed consistent. Simons earned respect during his time here, and that does not change now that he is gone.
Noa Dalzell 🏀
Payton Pritchard on the Celtics losing Anfernee Simons:
“Love Ant. When you build a bond with your teammates, it’s tough to see them leave — the Al Horfords, the Jrue Holiday, Luke, KP, now Anfernee, you definitely miss them, but it’s part of the part of the business.”
“So,
What Simons Brought to the Celtics
Anfernee Simons came to the Celtics last summer in the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The move raised immediate questions. Simons carried a reputation as an offense-first guard who struggled on the other end. The concerns were legitimate.
Simons proved them wrong.
He put up over 14 points per game this season while knocking down nearly 40 percent of his threes. He cracked 20 points on multiple occasions and delivered his signature performance in January, going off for 39 against the Miami Heat in a comeback win that reminded everyone what he could do when he got rolling.
Simons accepted coming off the bench despite years as a starter out West. He ignited runs when Boston needed energy. He provided instant scoring when the offense stalled. He became a reliable weapon during a season where depth mattered more than usual.
The trade brings Vucevic to town, addressing Boston’s need for size up front. The veteran big man gives the Celtics nearly 17 points and 9 boards per game while shooting over 50 percent from the floor and close to 38 percent from deep.
The deal also helps Boston financially. The move shaves close to $5 million off the salary sheet and drops the Celtics below the first apron for the first time under Mazzulla. The tax penalty gets cut nearly in half, from close to $40 million down to under $18 million.
But the cost was a player who fit in seamlessly and contributed to winning basketball when it mattered most.
Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
GettyJaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
Final Word for the Celtics
Anfernee Simons is headed to Chicago.
The trade makes sense on paper. Boston needed size up front, and Vucevic delivers that immediately. The financial relief gives the Celtics more flexibility down the line.
But losing Simons stings in ways that go beyond roster construction. Brown’s comments made that clear. So did Pritchard’s reflection on watching another teammate leave.
Simons arrived under uncertain circumstances and left with the respect of everyone in the building. He improved on defense, embraced a reduced role, and showed up when Boston needed him.
The Celtics sit at 32-18 with three straight wins. They head to Houston on Wednesday night for their last game before the deadline officially closes. Vucevic will join the rotation soon, and Boston will keep adjusting like it has all season.
Simons left his mark. Based on how his teammates talked about him Tuesday night, that mark is not going anywhere.