Boston Celtics Looking to Trade Two Players

The Boston Celtics are looking to trade two players, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

The two players are Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang.

“I think the Celtics are still very active in taking trade calls, maybe even making trade calls,” Fischer said. “There was some conversation last week between Memphis and Boston about something. We’re still looking to track down more info on that, but rival NBA teams are definitely still under the impression that Boston is looking for deals involving both Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang.”

Boston acquired Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday deal and got Niang from the Atlanta Hawks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. 

Simons will make $27.7 million next season in the final year of his deal, while Niang will make $8.2 million in the final year of his contract. 

The Celtics are looking to decrease their payroll since they won’t be a title contender next season.

Simons averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Trail Blazers last season in 70 games while shooting 42.6% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 90.2% from the free-throw line. He is only 26 years old.

Meanwhile, Niang played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Hawks last season. The forward averaged 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 79 games while shooting 46.1% from the field, 40.6% from beyond the arc and 79.3% from the free-throw line.

Boston star small forward Jayson Tatum is expected to miss all of next season rehabbing his torn right Achilles tendon. President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens traded Holiday and Porzingis this offseason to get the Celtics under the second apron.