Commerce rumors aren’t something new for Boston Celtics capturing guard Anfernee Simons.
The 2018 first-round choose was solely acquired from the Portland Path Blazers lower than two months in the past, when Boston despatched two-time All-Star Jrue Vacation out west.
With the Celtics nonetheless going through monetary uncertainty and a potential one-year break from competition whereas Jayson Tatum recovers, Simons’ spot on the roster appears uneven.
NBC Sports activities Boston media editor Josh Canu floated a brand new commerce proposal involving Simons on Wednesday, an thought that might ship the 26-year-old to the Chicago Bulls in trade for heart Nikola Vucevic.
“Each gamers are on expiring contracts, the Bulls get a youthful participant, and the Celtics get a beginning heart and a few cap aid as properly. Not the sexiest transfer, however a transfer that works and is attainable,” Canu wrote.
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Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has already proven that he’s not afraid to commerce away lately acquired gamers.
Energy ahead Georges Niang was despatched to Boston in early July as a part of a three-team deal that despatched Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. Niang was then shipped together with a pair of future draft picks to the Utah Jazz in early August for undrafted rookie RJ Luis Jr.
With the Celtics nonetheless roughly $12 million from clearing the posh tax, a Simons-for-Vucevic transaction would avoid wasting cash and provides the staff a much-needed huge man.
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Boston stated goodbye to all of its huge minutes facilities from final season this summer season, together with Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and nearly actually, Al Horford.
Vucevic will flip 35 in October, however nonetheless averaged a double-double for the seventh straight season in 2024-25.
The 2-time All-Star completed his fourth full marketing campaign with the Bulls posting 18.5 factors per recreation (his highest mark in 4 years), in addition to 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 31.2 minutes per contest. Vucevic additionally shot a career-best 53.0% from the sphere final season and career-high 40.2% from past the arc.
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