Anfernee Simons ‘Could Be Gone’ Quickly as Celtics’ Trade Talks Continue: NBA Exec

The NBA personnel executive, like his peers, is always preaching the importance of quickness.

But this time he wasn’t talking about a point guard or a cutting wing or a defender closing out to the 3-point line. He was talking about me.

“If you’re doing a story about (Anfernee) Simons’ fit with the Celtics, you’d better be quick about it to cover yourself,” he said with a laugh. “Boston’s still out there talking trade, and he could be gone if the right move comes along.”

A Veteran Scout Says Anfernee Simons ‘Can Really Shoot,’ but ‘He’s Not Very Good Defensively’

One veteran pro scout offered the goods on the 6-foot-3 guard, acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers with two second round picks for Jrue Holiday. (The trade won’t be finalized for a few days to fit NBA rules.)

“He can really shoot. He can get his own shot,” the evaluator told Heavy Sports. “He’s not very good defensively. He’s a little like Derrick White, kind of a combo guard — but without the defense Derrick gives you. He can make plays, but he’s probably more of a 2 than a 1. His defense is clearly a concern, but he’s young.

“I think, overall, it’s a good deal for Boston. They saved $40 million, they got younger and they got two (second round) picks. I guess it makes you wonder a little bit about why Portland would give up on him, but the guy can play.”

But where? One league source who’s had to deal with Simons often as he’s blossomed in his seven-year career, thinks that could be an issue on today’s Celtic roster. But, again, that game board could be altered dramatically with another move or two by Boston head of basketball operations Brad Stevens.

“He’s ideally your sixth man,” the source said. “He’d be a terrific sixth man on a viable contender.”

When it was mentioned that, as currently constructed, that would seem to make Payton Pritchard a starter, he said, “Well, yeah, so that’s the issue. (Simons) will likely start. He’s been a starter. I’m just saying that ideally you’d like him as sixth man. I think that’s where he fits best for a contender.

“And if you’ve got (Jayson) Tatum and (Jaylen) Brown still, then you’d definitely like Simons more off the bench. He’s not really a spot-up guy. I think he needs the ball, because he can get his own shot. High usage as a sixth man would be his best role. If he’s the third guy with Tatum and Brown on the floor, then I think his effectiveness is reduced.”

Brad Stevens Said the Celtics Would Like to Retain Both Al Horford & Luke Kornet

Though more change is expected in Boston, Stevens said after the first round of the draft Wednesday night that the club would ideally like to retain free agent big men Al Horford and Luke Kornet.

Horford has done extremely well financially in his 18-year career and may be willing to work with the Celts to find a number that is satisfactory for both sides. But Kornet is coming off the most impactful season of his career and has always lingered in the minimum salary range.

“Kornet’s clearly in for a payday,” said one front office source. “Steven Adams got three years at $13 million per, and (Daniel) Gafford got $60 million over three years. The non-taxpayer mid-level exception is around @13 million; I’ll be surprised if Kornet doesn’t come in close to that.

“He scouts well. He’s still definitely a backup, but the question is what he’ll do when he gets more minutes than he did with the Celtics. He was playing for the minimum, and he’s going to do MUCH better than that. I think he’s looking at $10 million per.”

This while the Celtics are looking to dodge the effects of the salary cap aprons.