Pretty much since the Boston Celtics traded Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic in February, fans have been pondering whether or not Simons could reunite with Boston as a free agent this summer.
The Celtics have the full mid-level exception, worth roughly $15 million at their disposal. Simons, who wouldn’t rule out a return to the Cs, could almost certainly be had for that number or less.
“For sure, obviously, we gotta finish our season [in Chicago] first and then see what happens there,” Simons explained when asked if he’d consider coming back to Boston, via CLNS Media. “For sure, down the line. I said it, I enjoyed my time here. I built great relationships here. So, I see it for sure.”
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Simons wouldn’t cost much more than the minimum. Unfortunately, Marks also pinned the scoring guard as a great fit for the Miami Heat.
"I think keep an eye on one name, Anfernee Simons. He's a free agent out there. If he's basically willing to go for the vet min and play out the year to restore his value, he'd fit in perfectly with this team"
Miami makes sense, right?
Celtics fans will remember how effective Simons was as a catch-and-shoot option during his brief stint in Boston this season. He’d likely thrive alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo with all of the open looks the two-time MVP will be able to create for him.
Simons' services could still be used in Boston, too
Of course, the same argument can be made for the Celtics as a landing spot. Simons was excellent for them in his 44 appearances. The Orlando native averaged 14.4 points per game while shooting 44% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc on 6.7 attempts per outing.
Oh, and those numbers came while Jayson Tatum watched from the bench in street clothes. There’s real reason to believe Simons could be supercharged in a return to Boston with the opportunity to play alongside Tatum.
JT’s gravity often forces opposing defenses into compromising positions where they’re forced to leave shooters open (see Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser).
Simons spoke highly of his time with the team and the winning culture that runs throughout the organization.
“They have a lot of aspirations to win a championship, and you can see that each and every day — by their habits, the way they practice, the way they speak to each other, it’s one common goal,” Simons told reporters ahead of his return to TD Garden with the Bulls. “I learned a lot from just being around and being able to experience it here.”
In recent months, there hasn’t been much legitimate buzz about a reunion though. It would be tough to see a player who quickly won over fans in Boston join the rival Heat, especially after Miami just beat the Cs out for Giannis.
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