“That’s Not Happening” - Denver Nuggets Trade Rumors Involving Anfernee Simons Gets Shut Down By NBA Insider 7 Mar 23, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

'That’s Not Happening' – Denver Nuggets Trade Rumors Involving Anfernee Simons Gets Shut Down By NBA Insider

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 7:38 AM ET

The Boston Celtics made significant changes to their roster this summer. One of the players they acquired in a trade was Anfernee Simons. However, the Celtics aren’t planning on keeping the young guard and have been rumored to trade him again. The Denver Nuggets were among the teams identified as a possible landing location, but an NBA insider swiftly put an end to the notion.

According to Michael Scotto, there’s a chance that the Nuggets could acquire Simons from the Celtics. Denver made a few changes to their roster by trading away their starting forward, Michael Porter Jr. The former Missouri star was shipped to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnsoon. The organization also welcomed back Bruce Brown Jr., who was part of the 2023 championship team. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valančiūnas were also added over the summer.

But Scotto predicts the Nuggets aren’t done making moves, but it could be difficult to facilitate another trade. The NBA insider said the team needs more help from the backcourt.

However, that trade rumor was quickly shut down by ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel. To pull off a trade with the Celtics, they’ll have to include either Cam Johnson and Aaron Gordon in the mix. But seeing as how they’re important to the team, it won’t happen.

“The Nuggets just cleared money this offseason for a reason and would need to trade Cam Johnson or Aaron Gordon. That’s not happening,” Siegel wrote on X.

The Denver Nuggets view both forwards as players who will contribute significantly to the team. This is why Siegel believes a trade including either of them would happen.

Former Denver Nuggets forward threw shade at the Lakers

“That’s Not Happening” - Denver Nuggets Trade Rumors Involving Anfernee Simons Gets Shut Down By NBA Insider 8 Mar 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10), guard Gabe Vincent (7), forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) and guard Luka Doncic (77) defend a drive by Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Over the last three seasons, the Denver Nuggets have proven to be a problem for the Los Angeles Lakers. They have eliminated the team in two separate playoff series — in 2023 and 2024.

Porter, who played his first six years with the Nuggets, talked about how he’s been able to outplay the Lakers. The former Denver player threw shade at his former team’s rival, stating that he used to always cook the LA team.

“I used to love those series’ against the Lakers,” Porter Jr. said. “They always thought they could beat us but they never did. I always had good series against the Lakers. I don’t know what it was but I always cooked the Lakers. I just think that they didn’t really have a guy, a matchup for me that was trying to come off of screens.”