Anfernee Simons Is Giving the Celtics Options-And December Is the Time to Explore Them
The Boston Celtics didn’t exactly ease into this season. They came in shorthanded, missing key veterans like Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday, while Jayson Tatum’s absence due to injury only added to the early uncertainty. But amid the roster shakeups and injury setbacks, one player has quietly started to carve out a compelling case for more minutes-and possibly more than that.
Anfernee Simons arrived in Boston with the expectation that he might be more of a trade asset than a long-term piece. But so far, he’s flipped that narrative on its head.
Not only has he looked comfortable in Joe Mazzulla’s system, he’s been productive-efficient, even-despite coming off the bench in all 21 games. And now, with the NBA’s trade window set to unofficially open on December 15, the Celtics are entering a critical stretch where Simons could become one of their most important players-on the floor or on the trade market.
Simons Is Producing-Quietly, But Effectively
Let’s start with the numbers. Simons is averaging 13.6 points per game in just 24 minutes, shooting a clean .452 from the field, .402 from deep, and .848 from the line.
Those are strong splits for a guard, especially one who hasn’t cracked the starting five yet. When you scale that production up to per-100 possessions, he’s at 28.4 points and 5.4 assists-a reminder that he can fill it up in a hurry when given the runway.
He’s shown he can score from all three levels. Off the dribble, off the catch, in transition-Simons has the kind of offensive versatility that makes him a natural fit in today’s league. And while he’s not a pure point guard, he’s been more than capable as a secondary playmaker, giving the Celtics another ball-handler who can create when the offense stalls.
December Is the Window to Showcase-and Decide
Here’s where things get interesting. Simons is on an expiring deal worth $27.6 million, per Spotrac.
That number is significant-not just because it gives Boston financial flexibility, but because it’s right in the sweet spot for matching salaries in a trade. For a contending team looking to add scoring punch without locking into a long-term commitment, Simons is a plug-and-play option with upside.
That makes this next stretch-starting in December-critical for Brad Stevens and the Celtics front office. If they want to explore moving Simons ahead of February’s trade deadline, now’s the time to showcase him.
And that means more minutes. He’s currently fourth on the team in playing time, but pushing that closer to 30 minutes a night over the next few weeks could pay dividends-on the court and in trade talks.
Whether it’s a team looking for a scoring guard to round out a playoff rotation or a rebuilding squad willing to take a flyer with the hopes of re-signing him, Simons has value. The more he plays, the more that value becomes tangible.
A Win-Win Situation for Boston
Here’s the beauty of the situation for the Celtics: there’s no real downside to giving Simons a bigger role. Even if a trade doesn’t materialize, Boston still benefits from having another proven scorer in the rotation-especially while dealing with injuries and managing minutes for veterans.
Simons has been a starter-level player in the past, and he’s shown he can handle that workload. He’s also a candidate to be part of the closing five in certain matchups, especially when Boston needs a scoring jolt or another perimeter threat to space the floor.
And if he does end up being moved? The Celtics could address other needs-most notably at center or on the wing. Using Simons’ contract as a vehicle to land a 3-and-D wing or a more traditional rim-protecting big makes sense, especially if the team is thinking about how it matches up against the East’s elite come playoff time.
Bottom Line
Anfernee Simons has played his way into the Celtics’ plans-whether that means more minutes in green or as a key piece in a trade that upgrades the roster. Either way, Boston has every reason to put him in the spotlight this month. December is when trade season heats up, and Simons is the kind of player who can raise eyebrows around the league if given the stage.
For now, the Celtics have a scoring weapon coming off the bench who’s thriving in his role. But don’t be surprised if that role expands-and fast. Whether it’s to boost his trade value or to help a shorthanded team win games, Simons is ready for more.