Anfernee Simons Joins Jaylen Brown on Boston Celtics’ Trade Block: Reports

Anfernee Simons was traded by the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Jrue Holiday and draft compensation.

Anfernee Simons Joins Jaylen Brown on Boston Celtics’ Trade Block: Reports

Anfernee Simons Celtics (FS Image)

The Boston Celtics were stuck between a rock and a hard place when Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles in May. The team found it would be out of its depth in a bid for the 2025-26 NBA title without its star man. With a total wage bill amounting to $540 million including luxury taxes due to the second apron, a split was inevitable. The team has traded Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis for Anfernee Simons and picks.

Georges Niang was another element of this trade, but he will not be considered a rotation member of any Boston team trying to compete for a championship. This team will now try to bide its time while the franchise player sits a season out to recover. Much like the Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers, Celtics fans have no option but through suffer through the agony of losing their young stars to career altering injuries.

But the choice to do a rebuild is a tough, yet fair decision. By trading these two former All-Stars away, the team has reduced its wage bill to a mere $280 million – a whopping 46.3% reduction from $540 million. It allows them to punt the upcoming season. However, it is not yet clear whether Anfernee Simons is a part of their long-term plans. According to the latest rumors, Boston has placed him on the trade block as well:

However, the veracity of these reports remains yet to be determined. After all, the team has always wanted cost-controlled young talent. Paying Anfernee Simons in his mid- and late-20s is a better decision than paying Jrue Holiday $37 million at the age of 37. Simons currently earns $25,000,000 per year, which is in the same ballpark as a playoff starter.

Although he will be looking for a big extension, the Celtics will base their decision on how he plays. If Simons is able to be the team’s offensive fulcrum with Tatum out, they could take a flier. But to do so, they would need to maneuver the Jaylen Brown contract or trade him away.

Both Anfernee Simons and Jaylen Brown could be traded

Jaylen Brown was one of the biggest playoff dippers for the Celtics against the Knicks. The combo guard/forward was unable to get his shooting going in the team’s losses. Despite being injured for the series, his decision and shot making was a far cry from his 2024 campaign. The team is obligated to pay him $286 million over the next 5 years. But at the age of 27, it is unclear if Brown can improve his play.

Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown (Credits: MARCA)

Even when he was fit during the regular season, Brown shot subpar numbers while surrounded by the best spacing in the league. The expectation from Simons, if he stays, will be that he can be the primary offensive weapon alongside Derrick White. Brown, meanwhile, would work on his playmaking and improve on and off the ball, just like Jayson Tatum did in 2021-22. But his name is being dangled in trade talks too.

If indeed Brown is traded to the Utah Jazz for the No. 3 pick or Lauri Markkanen, this would signal the start of a new era under Bill Chisholm.