The Celtics have taken care of much of the business they were expected to address this summer, including trading Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in cost-saving moves, then re-routing Georges Niang to Utah for similar reasons. The one question mark left is Anfernee Simons, who was acquired in the Holiday trade with the Blazers, but Simons’ situation likely won’t have an imminent resolution, according to Brian Robb of Mass Live.
As Robb writes, in addition to being a talented player capable of picking up some of the scoring load for the Celtics with Jayson Tatum out for the year, Simons also remains their one major trade chip outside of the core players of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard.
Because of that, it’s unlikely the Celtics will rush into a deal involving Simons, in Robb’s view. If the time comes to move him, it will likely be in a trade that helps the team’s long-term plans of returning to title contention once Tatum recovers from his Achilles injury.
We have more from the Celtics:
- Another lingering question for Boston is who will win the battle for the starting center role. The Celtics currently have Neemias Queta, Chris Boucher, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman Sr. on their roster, none of whom have an established track record as a starter. Robb speculates that Queta will have pole position due to his combination of rim protection and rebounding, though he says the window is open for someone like Boucher to beat him out in training camp. Robb also notes that health will likely play a big part in determining Tillman’s role, as the former Spartan big man has dealt with knee problems over the last two years that have limited his contributions.
- With Tatum out, White will be counted on to carry a much larger offensive load than the role he’s become accustomed to in Boston. Chris Forsberg and the NBC Sports Boston Staff discuss what they hope to see from White this season, ranging from increasing the volume of his scoring output and achieving his first 20-point-per-game season to being named to his first All-Star team. Forsberg notes that in games without Tatum last season, White averaged 20.8 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per contest, though he adds that the veteran guard has, at times, been prone to cold shooting streaks, which will be harder for the Celtics to weather now.
- The Celtics’ backcourt rotation appears to be set with Pritchard, White, and Simons, but if any of them were to miss time, Robb thinks an under-the-radar player could pick up the slack: Baylor Scheierman. Scheierman impressed the team toward the end of last season with his ability to function as a play-maker in the pick-and-roll, Robb writes, adding that the Celtics will look for more of that from him this season if he’s able to carve out a role for himself off the bench.
Simons is a rental. He’s in contract year and will try to showcase himself. If he wants to do it by scoring a lot it will be a mistake. He should show improvement in defense if he wants to be considered what he is considered now, a small guard Who can score but not defend. That’s sixth man material
Celtics play defense. Its a no brainier for Simons to want to stay on the Celtics with their offense and their team defense. White and Brown are top defenders and Pritchard and Hauser can hold their own.
I am much more worried about the Bigs after Queta. Garza is slow and Tillman is undersized.
Tillman is a PF but yeah I agree about the Bigs. Queta, Garza and Tillman need to step up. I want them to start Tillman at PF
Tillman was like a 99th percentile defender when healthy
He can fit around the core guys if he can stay healthy
Queta is above average on both ends of the floor.
Those are the guys I wanna see more of.
Plus see minott get real run
As a Portland fan.. Simons is a bust. This writer is trying to spin it, but keeping him this year just to pray he can have any value at the end of the year is not what they were hoping for. It is what it is though, I’m sure that is why they wanted some extra 2nd round picks in the first iteration of this trade.
The blazers bad faith really screwed them over
Trade Simons and Hugo González for a good starting PF (26-28 years old) Hopefully Queta or Garza step up at C.
Next years plan. Adjust players to old positions, Brown to SG, Tatum to SF like they used to be and White as a super sixth man, players switching positions. Fix the C spot if need be
Brown can do it
Why trade a raw athletic youngster, Hugo Gonzalez, before you even give him a chance? What if we traded raw athletic Jaylen Brown before we gave him a chance?
I’m thinking of the current teams championship window. Why get young players when you are trying to win a title. If not then enjoy building soon. I guess getting young talent is more important than winning in your mind. I’d rather have a starting PF to play with Brown, Pritchard and Tatum than have a super young SF.
Plus he is their ONLY young guy
Simons is on an expiring contract. If they didn’t want to pay Holiday. I don’t see them paying Simons. Now If he would sign for less. Imo he is a good fit next to White. He should easily put up 20 on this team. If Simons wants to win. He could sign for three years for 90 mill. With Tatum back they are still a contender. Just add another Big. I think Celtics will play waiting game. See who is available and make a trade at TD. To get ready for Tatum and playoffs. Celtics are playing for next year. Gotta see how season goes. .
Sign and trade….Kuminga for Simons and a first hahahahaha hahahahaha.
Great trade for the Warriors!! Now your thinking. The Warriors get an expiring contract to move at the deadline and a 1st. Celtics get $160 million dollars worth of potential. Have fun watching him hog the ball.
Now he’s a hog too. Start getting ready for that QO trade …….
I was being sarcastic. We don’t want kuminga and it was Boston getting the first.
Wouldn’t you think Stevens’ #1 job under this new ownership is to get them below ALL luxury tax? This is the year to cut payroll and because of Tatum’s injury it’s a freakin’ opportunity to do so without us Celtics fans holding this destruction of the 2024 Championship team against the new hedge fund/private equity ownership. So Stevens will have to do something more. Trust in Stevens.
Do what Sixers do. Fake injuries and shut down players . Then go for a lottery pick next year.