The Boston Celtics opened their 2025–26 season with a heartbreaking 117–116 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, a game they led for most of the night. But even after just one outing, the conversation in Boston has already shifted — not to the loss, but to the future.
At the center of it: Anfernee Simons. The 25-year-old guard made his Celtics debut on Wednesday and is already drawing early trade speculation.
Celtics Predicted To Move On?
In Bleacher Report’s season-opening “1 Overreaction For Each Team” column, Andy Bailey floated the idea that Boston could explore salary-saving moves before the February deadline.
The Celtics are roughly $12 million away from escaping the luxury tax, and Bailey suggested that “players like Anfernee Simons and/or Sam Hauser could be on the move” if the team struggles to find consistency.
Simons is on an expiring $27.6 million deal — a figure that naturally draws interest in a league obsessed with flexibility. For Brad Stevens, any decision involving Simons will come down to timing and trajectory: how Boston looks by midseason, and how the roster fits once everyone’s healthy.
Why the Celtics Might Hold Off
It might be too early to frame Simons as a trade piece. His debut showed encouraging flashes — especially on defense, an area that has long defined his reputation.
Throughout training camp, Joe Mazzulla challenged Simons to elevate that part of his game, reportedly telling him he’s “not as bad as people think.” Simons’ response? “It’s just a matter of whether I want to do it or not.”
Against Philadelphia, he backed it up. He fought through screens, rotated with purpose, and even hustled back to strip Tyrese Maxey in transition — a sequence that caught Mazzulla’s attention.
Once Jayson Tatum returns, Simons’ scoring and shot creation could become even more valuable. The Celtics have often lacked a guard who can heat up instantly, and Simons brings exactly that element.
Boston Should Be Patient
Simons’ contract makes him an obvious candidate in trade rumors, but it’s also what gives Boston leverage. There’s no rush to move him — not when the team is still learning how all its new pieces fit.
If Simons continues to buy in defensively and brings that “microwave” scoring punch, he could end up being worth far more to Boston on the floor than as a financial move on paper.
It’s a long season. The Celtics are one game in, and they know better than to let early speculation dictate their plans. For now, patience might be the smartest play.
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