The Boston Celtics could pull off the perfect Anfernee Simons trade with the Brooklyn Nets that gets them an above-average starting center and allows the Cs to dip below the luxury tax line. The Nets are the only team in the NBA that can take on significant salary, and the rebuilding franchise has a prime Nic Claxton waiting to be plucked by a contender. This trade could be absolutely perfect for Boston.
Simons is in the final year of his contract and is not a long-term solution for the Celtics. Boston was already shopping him in the offseason and figures to do so again before the deadline. The 6’3 guard was a starter in Portland and likely wants to play more wherever he ends up. Joe Mazzulla and company do not want Simons costing them when the games matter most.
Brooklyn will be eager to trade Claxton and take on Simons' expiring contract before the deadline if it comes with a first-round draft pick attached, but the Celtics shouldn’t stop there. They must save more money to get under the luxury tax line and reset the repeater penalties. The Nets can offer them that opportunity if Boston is willing to lose Sam Hauser in the process.
Nets are the perfect Anfernee Simons trade partner for the Celtics
Trading Simons, Hauser, and a first-round draft pick for Claxton saves Boston $12.4 million, but it is actually millions more. Instead of paying the luxury tax, the Celtics would get a check with the other non-tax teams. They would be out of the repeater and have more roster flexibility moving forward. This is a massive move that Brad Stevens must convince Sean Marks to make before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Claxton is averaging 15.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.1 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game for the Nets this season. He has missed all four of his 3-point attempts, but his inside presence and playmaking chops should allow him to play a key role in Boston. Joe Mazzulla may not always be able to go five-out, but Claxton could offer a change of pace the Celtics desperately need.
The big man is on a descending contract. He makes $23.1 million next season before going down to $20.9 million for the 2027-28 season.
Those small decreases in salary would allow Boston a bit of room to upgrade their roster. Expect the Celtics to be back in title contention when Jayson Tatum returns next season. That won’t happen without a center like Claxton anchoring the defense and defending the elite big men across the league.
The Boston Celtics will be active and aggressive before the trade deadline. They want to get under the luxury tax line to reset their books in this gap year. Yes, the Celtics are still competitive, but they have a serious shot to win a championship when Tatum returns. It should all be about building for that, and the Nets are the perfect trade partner to take Anfernee Simons and solve the Cs center woes. Brad Stevens should already be making the call.