The Boston Celtics are rolling in 2025-26, and nobody saw this coming without Jayson Tatum. Sitting at No. 2 in the Eastern Conference, powered by a monster leap from Jaylen Brown—now a legit superstar sniffing MVP votes—and a rookie class that’s flat-out winning games, this re-tooled roster has the league on notice.
But the front office isn’t resting. According to ESPN’s Evan Sidery, Boston is actively exploring the trade market for veteran guard Anfernee Simons, with the clear goal of landing a high-impact starting center. The current big-man-by-committee approach—Neemias Queta, Luke Garza, and Amari Williams—has kept them afloat, but it’s not championship caliber.
Simons has shown flashes of the explosive scorer who torched defenses in Portland. Just last week he dropped 39 off the bench against Miami in one of the most electric reserve performances of the season. On his good nights, he’s a microwave who can swing a game single-handedly. On the others? The fit hasn’t always clicked on a contender built around defense and ball movement.
With Simons earning $27 million and headed to unrestricted free agency this summer, the math lines up perfectly for a move. He’s the most movable asset Boston has to chase a true upgrade at the five.
So where could Simons land, and who might Boston target in return?
- Ivica Zubac (Clippers) – The rumors are loud, but L.A. is 15-3 in their last 18 and riding Zubac’s rim protection and finishing. Hard to imagine the Clippers breaking up a formula that’s finally working.
- Onyeka Okongwu (Hawks) – A young, athletic big who can anchor a defense, but Atlanta’s depth behind him is fragile. Probably a long shot.
- Daniel Gafford (Mavericks) – Solid rim-runner and shot-blocker, though his injury history would give Boston pause.
- Wendell Carter Jr. + Jonathan Isaac (Magic) – A Simons-to-Orlando package could address the Magic’s need for backcourt scoring while sending Boston two long, switchable defenders who upgrade the frontcourt athleticism.
- Nic Claxton (Nets) – If Brooklyn is ready to lean into the youth movement, pairing Simons with a protected pick could pry loose Claxton, giving the Celtics a mobile, defensive-minded center who’s still in his prime.
Wherever Simons ends up, he’s a proven 20-plus-point threat who can light up the scoreboard for any contender or rebuilding team. But if the Celtics pull off the right deal, they could turn a good thing into a scary one—adding a dominant big alongside Brown and the emerging young core, all while Tatum is still sidelined.
The trade stove is heating up in Boston. Stay tuned—this could get wild.