Rumor: Celtics ‘Not In A Hurry’ To Trade Anfernee Simons

The Boston Celtics are “not in a hurry” to trade Anfernee Simons, an NBA general manager told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports. 

The Celtics acquired Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday deal. 

“You never know, but the team they have now is probably the team they’ll start the year with,” the NBA GM said. “They could get themselves involved in some blockbuster. But they’re not in a hurry to make that move (on Simons).

“He is going to a team with a different coaching staff, a different front office, a whole different system of teaching. Sometimes a situation changes and the light bulb goes on for a guy. That could be the case with him (Simons). He is still a young guy, and if he is willing to learn, he could come out a better player. So you wait to trade him to see if that happens.”

Anfernee Simons will make $27.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. The scoring guard averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Trail Blazers last season. He shot 42.6% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 90.2% from the free-throw line. 

The 26-year-old Simons has career averages of 15.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the NBA. He has played in 15 postseason games, averaging just 4.7 points. 

The Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs in six games. Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 and is expected to miss all of next season.