Celtics' next move is painfully obvious after telegraphing what's to come

This week, the Boston Celtics gave their fan base a chance to get more familiar with offseason acquisitions Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang. Those social media posts and accompanying articles send a clear signal for what's to come.

These don't see the light of day if the Celtics are closing in on trades that would ship out either player. These posts highlight the reality that there is no move involving either individual on the horizon.

Boston must ask itself how motivated it is to reset the repeater tax. The organization can accomplish that by getting under the luxury tax in consecutive campaigns.

The franchise has repeatedly reiterated its north star is the pursuit of championships. Building a title contender when Jayson Tatum returns from his Achilles tear is challenging to accomplish while staying under not just the aprons, but also the luxury tax.

At an offseason press conference in early July, the Celtics president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, stated, "it's been pretty clear, and [new owner] Bill [Chisholm] has been pretty clear from the getgo, that he wants to make sure that we're prioritizing basketball assets and the ability to retool this thing at the highest level that we can."

What the Celtics staying over the luxury tax allows them to do

According to Spotrac, Boston is $18 million over the luxury tax and $9.9 million above the first apron. Perhaps the organization moves Niang at a later date as a step toward dipping below the latter.

If the Celtics decide they're ok with the flexibility that comes from at least ending the upcoming league year under the second apron, it creates a path for Simons to help the team this season and beyond.

The 26-year-old guard is on an expiring $27.7 million contract. He could be a potent sixth man in Boston. Simons' style of play fits with the Celtics' desire to operate at a faster tempo. He would also give them a dynamic scoring threat who is effective at creating and capitalizing on threes off the dribble.

The seven-year veteran ranked 13th among players who averaged at least 3.5 pull-up three-point attempts last season, per NBA.com. He hoisted 4.2 shots that fell into that category and knocked them down at a 34.7 percent clip. Simons also made 37.7 percent of his 4.3 catch-and-shoot tries from beyond the arc.

Retaining him beyond the upcoming campaign would, of course, require re-signing him, but if Boston is willing to stay over the luxury tax, that may be a deal the Celtics are motivated to get done after the season.