With training camp on the horizon, Anfernee Simons remains on the Boston Celtics' roster. If that remains true when the upcoming campaign tips off, he could persuade the franchise to keep him with his play on the court.
That could lead to the 26-year-old guard projecting as too expensive to re-sign next summer. In that case, his trade value may also be too high for Boston to retain through February's deadline to deal him.
However, either of those scenarios bodes well for Simons' next contract. Perhaps that pact is with the Celtics if they decide he's worth keeping in the fold when Jayson Tatum returns from his Achilles tear.
The best way for him to maximize his time with his current team, however long it lasts, is to become more servicable on defense. The seven-year veteran doesn't need to evolve into a well-balanced two-way player. However, he needs to be better to maximize his earnings.
How the Celtics can help Anfernee Simons on defense
Boston's defensive infrastructure, coupled with the fact that this is a contract year for Simons, could spur improvement from him at that end of the floor.
Still, it's fair to question the impact of that first factor, in particular. With the Portland Trail Blazers, the six-foot-three guard was sharing the floor with several defensive pitbulls.
Individuals like Toumani Camara, Matisse Thybulle, and Scoot Henderson helped Portland hold teams to 111.6 points per game. That was the ninth-lowest output in the league last season.
The Celtics yielded only 106 points per contest. However, Jrue Holiday is now with the Trail Blazers, and the former's top three centers from a year ago are no longer on the team.
Simons' supporting cast wasn't the issue. What's encouraging is that he utilizes his six-foot-seven wingspan better than some might realize. He averaged 1.2 deflections per tilt last season, per NBA.com. He also swiped nearly a steal per game.
The most reasonable ask is for him to contest more than an average of 1.6 threes per matchup. If he can make ball handlers uncomfortable and play passing lanes effectively, that should prove satisfactory.
The Florida native is a seamless fit in Joe Mazzulla's offense. He's a dynamic three-point threat, effective off the catch and off the dribble. He will also push the pace and help Boston run a more up-tempo offensive attack.
If he can make reasonable improvements on defense, he'll reap the rewards next offseason. Not only would it earn Simons a nice payday, but if he gets moved around the trade deadline, he could net the Celtics a return that holds value. Maybe he even plays well enough to convince the organization to extend his time in Boston.