Saving the Celtics, one fake Anfernee Simons trade at a time

The fireworks weren’t enjoyable this 12 months. The Celtics traded away Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis as a result of wage cap limitations, misplaced Luke Kornet to the San Antonio Spurs for a similar purpose, and Al Horford is all however formally gone as he makes an attempt to hitch a extra aggressive group. These NBA champions have been changed by Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang, Josh Minott, and Luka Garza — some intriguing gamers with a variety of success and expertise within the NBA. Nonetheless, none of them will likely be mistaken for Jrue Vacation, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford or Luke Kornet.

For now, it seems the free company fireworks are over for the Boston Celtics. It appears the final huge piece of unfinished enterprise for Brad Stevens and the entrance workplace is whether or not Anfernee Simons is a part of the plan for the 2025-2026 season.

Final week, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on The Hoop Collective podcast that “the Celtics are actively making an attempt to commerce Anfernee Simons.”

It is sensible for the Celtics to maneuver Anfernee Simons for a few causes. The apparent one being the evident lack of expertise on the huge man spot. The opposite: the Celtics are at present $20.26 million over the posh tax. Whereas Brad Stevens has pressured that getting out of the posh tax and resetting the repeater penalties is “not the precedence. The precedence is continuous to verify now we have our future firsts and all these items which can be in play for us in order that we are able to use these to construct”.

What these feedback imply to me is that the Celtics need to get beneath the posh tax, however gained’t deplete their property to do it. I’ve to imagine Brad doesn’t need to commerce Sam Hauser purely for tax causes. The popular path is to commerce Simons for much less cash, then commerce Georges Niang right into a Traded Participant Exception.

Let’s have a look at Anfernee Simons and his potential worth across the league. On this present wage cap atmosphere, many groups are navigating a difficult panorama, both rigorously managing their luxurious tax, beginning their repeater tax clock, avoiding the primary or second aprons, or being constrained by these aprons. Small guards, who’re wonderful offensive gamers however play no protection that receives a commission $27 million will not be in excessive demand. D’Angelo Russell signed a contract this offseason that may pay him $6 million this upcoming season. Simons is the higher participant, however not $20 million higher.

However sufficient blabbering. It’s pretend commerce time.

Pretend Commerce #1: The Celtics usher in a Montenegrin huge man

Boston Celtics obtain Nikola Vucevic.

Chicago Bulls obtain Anfernee Simons.

The Celtics get their huge man and save $6.2 million within the course of.

Who says no?

If the Celtics are attempting to save cash, they are saying sure. If the Celtics are attempting to win video games subsequent season, they are saying sure. Nonetheless, Vucevic is just not a giant man of the longer term. You possibly can doubtlessly re-sign Vuc to an inexpensive deal the next season and have him as a pleasant rotational piece, however that feels short-sighted. Whereas there are apparent deficiencies on the huge man spot, it makes extra sense in a retooling season to attempt to develop some youthful items. Additionally, Vuc may assist the Celtics win a number of too many video games.

The Bulls simply drafted Noa Essengue as their huge man of the longer term, so they’d be clearing the way in which for him to play extra minutes. In addition they have Zach Collins and Jalen Smith as rotational bigs to fill the Vucevic departure. However, the Bulls have Coby White, who’s a less expensive model of Anfernee Simons, in addition to a myriad of perimeter gamers in Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, and Isaac Okoro. I believe the Bulls say no, however it’s the Bulls, so that you by no means know.

Pretend Commerce #2: The Celtics purchase a tank commander

Boston Celtics obtain Kyle Kuzma + 2026 second-round decide (through Utah).

Milwaukee Bucks obtain Anfernee Simons.

The Celtics add wanted front-court depth, save $5.3 million, add a decide, and purchase a participant that may assist them land a top-10 decide within the 2026 draft.

Who says no?

On the floor, including a 6-foot-10 ahead with ball expertise is sensible for a Celtics group that tasks to battle on the glass this upcoming season. Taking up a further 12 months of massive cash for a participant of Kuzma’s (low) caliber is probably going a non-starter for Brad Stevens, even when the 2026 second-round decide from Utah tasks to be within the low 30s.

The Bucks at present have one perimeter participant on their roster who’s a plus ball handler: Kevin Porter Jr. The Bucks desperately want the companies of Anfernee Simons. In the event that they throw within the the rest of their already depleted draft property, possibly the Celtics would settle for this deal.

Pretend Commerce #3 – The Celtics purchase a platter of Grizzlies

Boston Celtics obtain Brandon Clarke, Vincent Williams Jr., and John Konchar.

Memphis Grizzlies obtain Anfernee Simons.

The Celtics purchase smaller, movable salaries, an fascinating prospect, and save $6.7 million.

Who says no?

This might be a house run commerce for the Boston Celtics. They’d purchase smaller salaries that they may then spin off to save lots of extra money, and they might usher in younger participant in Vince Williams.

Ja Morant and Ty Jerome are the lone dependable perimeter creators on the Grizzlies. Would the Grizzlies be fascinated with some Ja Morant insurance coverage? Perhaps they use this Simons commerce because the catalyst to drag the plug on the Ja Morant period. Sadly, that is all wish-casting on the facet of the Celtics. If Brad Stevens had been prepared to incorporate a first-round draft decide to incentivize the Grizzlies to just accept this deal, we’d have one thing right here.

Pretend Commerce #5 – The Massive Kahuna

Boston Celtics obtain Rui Hachimura and John Konchar.

LA Lakers obtain Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Georges Niang.

Memphis Grizzlies obtain Anfernee Simons.

Utah Jazz obtain Jared Vanderbilt + two second-round picks (swap rights with the LA Clippers and the worst of the Timberwolves, Knicks, Pelicans, Blazers).

The Celtics save $11.4 million and bolster their frontcourt. We is likely to be onto one thing right here.

Who says no?

One other potential house run for the Celtics entrance workplace. Saving $11.4 million whereas breaking Simons’ wage into two smaller contracts, one in every of which is Rui Hachimura, who fills a place of want, and the opposite, John Konchar, who’s a stable function participant you might both preserve or flip to save lots of extra money.

The Lakers purchase extra perimeter protection to attempt to plug the opening that’s Luka Doncic’s protection. And extra importantly, the Lakers clear long-term cash for his or her pursuit of the subsequent star that desires to land of their lap for no obvious purpose.

The Grizzlies deliver in additional firepower and ball dealing with whereas shedding long-term cash.

The Jazz are handled to 2 second-round picks for taking up Jared Vanderbilt’s contract.

That is the commerce. Everyone wins.

4-team trades are arduous to drag off. Trades between two historic rivals are arduous to drag off. However we did simply see the primary seven-team commerce in historical past. Why not dream slightly?

Name it in, Brad.