Entering the 2025 offseason, the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics were in vastly different situations. Boston, after losing Jayson Tatum to an Achilles tear, let some of its key players walk in free agency or traded them. Houston, on the other hand, made it clear that they planned to gear up for a title run, eventually trading for Kevin Durant.
However, with the news of Fred VanVleet’s torn ACL, both Boston and Houston are without key players. The Celtics expected themselves to be in this situation, although the Rockets have a very clear window that they need to maximize.
With Boston seemingly content on taking a back seat, at least until Tatum recovers, the two teams could conduct a trade to maximize Houston’s present while setting the Celtics up for success once their star returns.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 03: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics works against Jeff Green #32 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on January 03, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Mock Trade Sees Rockets and Celtics Swap Guards
VanVleet will be out for several months, and unless Reed Sheppard is ready to assume the mantle as the starting point guard in Houston, the Rockets desperately need some backcourt help.
The Celtics have been openly shopping Anfernee Simons ever since they acquired him from the Portland Trail Blazers in the deal for Jrue Holiday. Simons is not a true point guard, although the Rockets can’t really be picky at this point.
Simons is coming off a season in Portland where he averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists, with his career-high being 5.5 per game. He is a career 38.1% shooter from deep, and can space the floor for Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, while setting Durant up for success.
In exchange for Simons and the one year left on his contract, the Celtics could take back VanVleet (two seasons left) and Jae’Sean Tate (one season left). No draft capital has to be moved to make this deal work. Thanks to both Tate and VanVleet signing extensions this summer, the trade couldn’t be completed until October 6, although that is still three weeks before the season starts.
Why This Trade Works for Both Teams
Houston can’t rely on Sheppard, at least not yet. He averaged 4.4 points per game in his rookie outing and is yet to gain the trust of Ime Udoka. In an ideal world, he would rise to the occasion, although that is far from a guarantee.
While Simons is not an elite player, he is more than serviceable on both ends of the floor and fills an immediate need for the Rockets. Boston, on the other hand, could re-sign Tate next summer as a backup wing, but even if they don’t, they would start next season with VanVleet, Tatum, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown all in the lineup.
VanVleet is not as strong a defender as Holiday, although he can run the offense and provide some shooting, taking pressure off Boston’s two All-Stars.
It has long been expected that Boston would retool around Tatum next summer when he’s fully healthy, and they could get a jumpstart on that this offseason. While VanVleet is in no shape to impact winning next season, Boston never had delusions of competing for a title in 2026, anyway.
This trade re-cements Houston as a threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder while getting the Celtics a step ahead.
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