Celtics Trading Mystery: The Just-Successful Anthony Simmons

The trading chessboard in the NBA offseason is on the rise again! According to the latest report by well-known reporter Brian Vinhorst, the Boston Celtics have actively tried within the league after just gaining defender Anfini Simmons through a trade, seeking to trade it again.

Not long ago, the Celtics sent veteran Ju Holiday to exchange for Anthony Simmons from the Portland Trail Blazers. However, the dust has not yet been settled, and the Celtics management seems to have other plans for the new aid.

"I have communicated with some other teams. They (Celtics) have made it clear that they are actively trying to trade Anfini Simmons in the market," Vinhorst revealed in the report. "Of course, whether a deal can be reached in the end is another matter." This "selling as soon as you get" operation strategy undoubtedly casts a strong doubt on Simmons' prospects in Boston, and has also triggered speculation from the outside world about the ideas for the Celtics' subsequent lineup construction.

Anfenny Simmons, 25, has been wearing the Portland jersey for the past seven seasons since he was selected by the Trail Blazers with the 24th pick in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2018. He played in the Trail Blazers in total 389 regular season games, and averaged 15 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his career. His overall shooting percentage was 43.1%, his three-point shooting percentage was 38.1%, and his free throw shooting percentage was as high as 88%, showing excellent shooting efficiency.

Simmons took a step further in the just-concluded 2024-25 season. He played 70 regular season games for the Trail Blazers, averaging 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game during an average of 32.7 minutes of playing time. The three shooting percentages were 42.6% (shooting), 36.3% (three-pointers) and 90.2% (free throws), maintaining the role of an efficient scorer.

The Celtics quickly put new players on the shelves, and their motivations are thought-provoking. Is it that Simmons' style of playing and the Celtics' emphasis on defense and system tactical concepts? Or is the management intending to use its trading value and youthful potential during the rising period as bargaining chips to exchange for a puzzle that is more in line with the team's current needs? Or is it another evaluation of its long-term contract value?