The Boston Celtics have spent plenty of time circling the idea of an Anfernee Simons replacement, even if they never treated it like a true priority. This summer, the only real hint of that kind of move came when reports tied them to a possible reunion with Simons himself.
That makes a swing at D'Angelo Russell feel like a long shot, but his name is suddenly in the mix. He may be available soon if Memphis decides its roster squeeze is easiest solved by waiving him before the season starts. Russell’s last meaningful run came with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that drafted him No. 2 11 years ago.
Since then, his path has wound through Dallas, Washington and Memphis, where his role has been limited. The story of his career is familiar by now: enough talent to hint at stardom, never enough consistency to reach it. There’s also the what-if attached to Brooklyn, where things might have looked different had the Nets kept him instead of bringing in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
That history matters because the appeal here would be obvious. Simons gave Boston a scorer who could drag an offense out of the mud when the shots stopped falling. The Celtics valued cap flexibility over keeping him - they moved him at the deadline for Nikola Vucevic - but he still showed why he mattered, especially when Boston needed someone to jump-start a dead stretch.
Russell fits that same emergency-scoring lane, even if he doesn’t do it as efficiently as Simons. He has the kind of shot-making that can flip a quarter or even a game, but not with the same regularity. At this point, that makes him more of a break-glass option than a nightly answer.
There’s also the baggage. Russell has a reputation as a locker room nuisance, and that alone could keep Boston away. If the Celtics do have interest, it would be because they believe he can provide some version of what Simons offered - just less often.
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Jayson Tatums New Jordan Release Says Everything About His Celtics Status
Jayson Tatums latest signature shoe is being introduced with a clear basketball-first message, built around control and responsiveness rather than flash for flashs sake. The Jordan Tatum 5 includes a dynamic utility strap, a 10mm forefoot Air Zoom unit and a herringbone traction pattern, while its design nods to Bostons skyline and Tatums No. 0, tying the release directly to the Celtics stars place in the city.
The rollout begins in China on Sept. 24 before a global launch, with several colorways and pricing tiers already set. For Boston fans, the shoe is another reminder of how firmly Tatum sits at the center of the franchise's present and future, with even his signature line reflecting the identity he has built in green. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Suddenly Have A Cheap Flier Worth Watching Closely
The Celtics are always watching the margins of the roster, and Walter Clayton Jr. has become one of the more interesting names to surface as Memphis works to get down to the NBA limit. The Grizzlies have to waive four players, and that kind of squeeze can turn a lesser-known prospect into a possible bargain for a team looking to add a cheap flier with some upside. Claytons path and past production have made him a player worth monitoring, especially for a Boston front office that is never shy about looking for value where other teams are forced to make cuts.
Still, the fit is not automatic, and there are reasons to be cautious before penciling in any move. Claytons career trajectory suggests there is something to work with, but the Celtics would need to weigh whether he is simply a speculative add or someone who can actually carve out a role in their environment. For now, the intrigue comes from the situation in Memphis as much as from Clayton himself, with Boston positioned to see whether roster pressure elsewhere creates an opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Are Closing In On A Crucial Payton Pritchard Decision
Payton Pritchard is heading toward another key financial checkpoint with the Celtics, and it comes at a time when his role and value have only grown more important to Bostons long-term plans. He has two years left on his current deal, and before long the team will be able to put a three-year extension on the table that would lock him in through the 2028-29 season.
For now, though, Pritchard is keeping the focus where he wants it, on the floor and on sharpening his game rather than on contract talk. He has not tipped his hand on how he might handle the coming extension window, which leaves Boston with a meaningful decision to make soon on one of its most watched rotation pieces. [Read more 🡒]