Boston Celtics Starting Lineup Still Looks Elite After Anfernee Simons Trade

The Boston Celtics have shaken up their roster in the early days of the offseason, trading away Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. 

It’s a move that raised eyebrows, especially after reports suggested the Celtics might be willing to blow it all up, including listening to offers for Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. However, if they hold onto their core and Jayson Tatum returns at any point next season, Boston could still field one of the most potent lineups in the NBA.

Let’s take a look at what the projected starting five would be if the Celtics decide to remain competitive:

PG: Derrick White

SG: Anfernee Simons

SF: Jaylen Brown

PF: Jayson Tatum

C: Kristaps Porzingis

Even with the loss of Holiday, this is still an elite two-way starting unit with offensive firepower and defensive versatility.

Derrick White continues to establish himself as one of the league’s premier 3-and-D guards. He averaged 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season while shooting 44.2% from the field and 38.4% from three. 

White’s ability to guard opposing point guards, rotate seamlessly, and play off the ball makes him a natural fit with high-usage scorers like Brown, Tatum, and now Simons.

The arrival of Anfernee Simons adds a dynamic offensive weapon. Simons averaged 19.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds last season, shooting 42.6% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc. He’s an explosive scorer who can create off the dribble, shoot off screens, and play in pick-and-roll actions. 

The challenge? His high usage rate in Portland won’t translate directly to Boston, where he’ll need to sacrifice touches and buy into a defensive scheme that demands accountability. If he adapts, he could be a lethal scoring punch as the team’s third or fourth option.

Jaylen Brown, fresh off his All-NBA campaign last year and another productive season, remains the swing factor. He posted 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 46.3% shooting. 

With Tatum recovering from an Achilles tear, Brown will need to assume the role of go-to scorer and leader early next season. Whether the Celtics keep him long-term remains unclear, but if he’s on the roster, the offense will run through him.

Of course, Jayson Tatum is the centerpiece. Though his Achilles injury was a devastating blow during the playoffs, reports indicate the Celtics acted quickly, getting surgery done just 12 hours after the tear. That opens the door for a possible return later in the season. 

If Tatum makes it back in time for the playoffs, the Celtics will be dangerous. Tatum remains one of the best all-around forwards in the NBA, capable of scoring at all three levels, defending multiple positions, and leading the offense.

At center, Kristaps Porzingis offers size, floor spacing, and rim protection. He averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 48.3% shooting from the field and a remarkable 41.2% from three. If the Celtics resist trade calls for Porzingis and run it back, he’ll remain a key figure on both ends of the floor, especially given how well he fits alongside Tatum and Brown when healthy.

Beyond the starting five, Boston still has decent depth. Payton Pritchard can run the second unit and hit timely threes. Sam Hauser brings shooting and floor spacing. Xavier Tillman Sr. adds grit and size off the bench. 

They’ll need to be active in free agency to fill out the roster, especially after losing Al Horford, but the skeleton of a contender still exists.

The salary cap concerns are real. The Celtics are staring at a massive tax bill, and ownership might not be willing to go all-in unless there’s confidence that Tatum returns and the team can win now. But if they stand pat, keeping Porzingis, Simons, Brown, and White, they will be one of the deepest and most talented starting lineups in the league.

This version of the Celtics isn’t the exact title-winning core from 2024, but they aren’t far off. With a little injury luck and internal growth, Boston may still be in the hunt.