Anfernee Simons’ Fit in Boston Is Fading Fast - And the Trade Clock Is Ticking
When the Celtics flipped Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons in the offseason, it was a move that came with calculated optimism. Simons brought youth, a lighter price tag, and a reputation as a high-level shooter - the kind of offensive spark plug who could thrive in Boston’s system.
But two months into the season, that optimism is starting to cool. Not because Simons has been bad - he hasn’t - but because the Celtics simply haven’t needed what he brings.
Let’s start with the numbers. Simons is shooting 38% from deep, and he’s averaging 13 points and 2.5 assists in just under 24 minutes per game.
His True Shooting percentage sits at 56.9%, which is right in line with league average. On paper, that’s solid bench production.
But here’s the rub: solid isn’t worth $27.6 million in the NBA, especially on a team with championship aspirations and a tightly managed cap sheet.
A Good Player in the Wrong Situation
The biggest issue for Simons in Boston isn’t his performance - it’s his role. Or more accurately, the lack of one.
His usage rate is at 22.5%, the lowest it’s been in five years, even though he’s mostly running with the second unit. He’s also playing fewer minutes than he has in any season since he became a rotation player.
And when games are on the line? He’s usually on the bench.
That’s not a knock on Simons’ talent - it’s a reflection of fit. The Celtics have a crowded backcourt, and Payton Pritchard has carved out a consistent role, logging nearly 33 minutes per game and rarely missing time. That doesn’t leave much room for another undersized guard, especially one who isn’t a strong defender and doesn’t offer much positional versatility.
Simons’ biggest strength has always been his off-the-dribble shooting. In Portland, he was one of the league’s most dangerous pull-up threats, taking nearly five pull-up threes per game at his peak.
That kind of shot profile bends defenses and opens up the floor for everyone else. But in Boston, he’s only getting up three pull-up threes per game - a significant drop from his previous usage.
Without that weapon fully integrated into the offense, Simons becomes a much more limited player. He doesn’t get to the rim consistently, doesn’t draw fouls, and his defense is a known liability.
The Financial Reality
All of this makes Simons an expensive luxury for a team that doesn’t need one. His contract expires at the end of the season, and with Boston already committed to a core that includes Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Derrick White, there’s little incentive to bring Simons back unless he becomes a pivotal piece - and that just hasn’t happened.
Which brings us to the trade deadline.
With February 5th looming, the Celtics have a decision to make. Keeping Simons around as an insurance policy doesn’t make much sense given his salary.
The smarter play is to move him - not just to shed salary, but to reallocate that cap space into a player who fits Boston’s long-term plans. There are teams out there that could use a microwave scorer like Simons, especially if they have the minutes and offensive system to let him cook.
For the Celtics, he’s more of a square peg in a round hole.
If Boston wants to get aggressive - and with the Eastern Conference wide open, they should - attaching a pick to Simons’ contract could be the kind of move that nets them a true difference-maker off the bench or a more versatile wing. The Celtics are in win-now mode. That means every roster spot, every dollar, and every minute has to count.
Right now, Simons just isn’t part of that equation. And unless something changes fast, his time in green could be running out.