During what amounted to a fling with the Boston Celtics, Anfernee Simons did everything asked of him. How well he adapted to the role of sixth man and his commitment on defense deservedly earned him praise from all corners of the organization.
"He has made a conscious effort to play winning basketball," said Jaylen Brown about Simons after Boston's 132-106 win over the Atlanta Hawks. "I give him all the respect in the world. He's adjusted well, and he seems like he's finding his footing. He looks good. You know, he's probably better than the role that he's in -- he's more talented. And he's taking the next steps and the next stages. So it has been good. I've been enjoying watching him."
Now, he'll have to watch Simons take those steps from afar.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Celtics are trading the eighth-year guard to the Chicago Bulls. In return, they will receive Nikola Vucevic. Both teams are sending the other second-round draft capital.
What to make of the Celtics trading Anfernee Simons
For Boston, the deal is financially motivated. They shipped out an expiring $27.7 million contract for Vucevic, who is making $21.4 million in the final year of his deal. That brings the organization below the first apron by $2.1 million. It also gets them within $5.8 million of dodging the luxury tax.
Some fans will understandably roll their eyes at that. However, utilizing this season to prioritize having more flexibility in future years built around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is a practical approach.
The Celtics also appeared interested in utilizing Simons's contract to make a significant move in the frontcourt. Given that the former Portland Trail Blazers guard projects to sign over the summer for significantly less than he's currently making, the time to do so was now.
Unfortunately for Boston, whether it was a pursuit of Ivica Zubac or Jaren Jackson Jr., or anyone else who fit that description, such a deal never materialized. Thus, prompting the franchise to reach an agreement of this nature with the Bulls.
Vucevic will help stabilize the Celtics' depth chart at center. They were previously poorly equipped to withstand losing Neemias Queta or Luka Garza to injury. However, that wasn't the impetus for this trade.
Making a financially-driven move also sparks questions about Jayson Tatum's return. Is this a signal that won't happen this season? And if it does, will Payton Pritchard, who has more than earned his starting spot, revert to the role of sixth man?
Time will tell. What's clear is that the Celtics felt it was in their best interest to prioritize their future. Frankly, they're right. But after seeing how well Simons acclimated to Boston, that doesn't mean it wasn't painful.