Since the summer, reports have circulated that the Boston Celtics could be looking to trade Anfernee Simons. However, a trade never ended up happening this summer, and Simons has been with Boston all year after being traded by the Portland Trail Blazers in a one-for-one deal that landed them Jrue Holiday.
However, with the recent report from HoopsHype's Michael Scotto that the Milwaukee Bucks showed an interest in Simons this summer, they could be the most obvious answer to solving Boston’s potential Simons trade dilemma. That said, a deal could be tricky to get done, as the Celtics would either have to take on some bad money or find a third team to take it instead.
Still, Simons could make sense in Milwaukee next to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Bucks could be answer to Celtics’ Anfernee Simons trade problem
Through the early portion of the season, Simons has been okay for the Celtics, though his defensive struggles have shone through at times, and his offense has been a bit streaky.
Still, he’s managed to put together a pretty efficient season, which could be an attractive selling point for teams that could use some extra shooting on the perimeter.
So far this season, Simons has averaged 13.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 43.9% from the field and 41.4% from deep range on 6.1 three-point attempts per contest.
Simons transitioned to a bench role in Boston this year, and his consistency has taken a hit, but on the Bucks, perhaps he could find comfort in a new home due to the change of scenery.
Adding him to the lineup next to Ryan Rollins would give the Bucks a ton of three-point shooting to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with, as well as a guy who could help carry the load when Antetokounmpo is out.
With how much the Bucks have struggled without Antetokounmpo this year, adding another offensive creator could be very useful.
That said, the problem for Boston would be that they would almost certainly have to take back Kyle Kuzma’s contract in a deal, unless they manage to find a third team that wants him.
Taking on an extra year of salary may not be worth it, since Simons’ deal is expiring and Kuzma’s isn’t. However, perhaps the Celtics would prefer to cut the extra salary before this year’s deadline and worry about shipping out Kuzma at a later date.
Still, if the two sides can find a deal that suits both of them, the Bucks could be the answer to Boston’s long-running Simons trade problem.