Boston Celtics Trying to Trade Anfernee Simons After Getting Him From Portland Trail Blazers

The Boston Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers for two-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday.

The Celtics were supposed to get two draft picks from the Trail Blazers in the deal, but after Portland had some concerns about Holiday’s physical, Boston only got Simons.

A talented scorer, Simons will make $27.7 million next season in the final year of his contract, and according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Celtics are trying to trade him.

“I have talked to other teams who have said they are actively trying to trade Anfernee Simons,” Windhorst said on his podcast. “Whether they can or not is another.”

Simons appeared in 70 games for the Trail Blazers last season. He averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks while shooting 42.6% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 90.2% from the free-throw line. 

Simons has career averages of 15.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.1 blocks with the Trail Blazers. He won the 2021 Slam Dunk Contest. 

The Celtics lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 postseason in six games after winning the 2024 championship against the Dallas Mavericks in five games. Boston star swingman Jayson Tatum is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season recovering from his Achilles injury. 

To save money, the Celtics traded Holiday to the Trail Blazers and Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. Teams tried to trade for Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, but Boston’s front office wasn’t interested in making a deal.

It will be interesting to see where Simons is playing next season. The guard is only 26 years old.

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