As the NBA offseason begins to take shape following the 2025-26 campaign, one name is quietly generating buzz around the league: Anfernee Simons. The polarizing former Boston Celtic, who spent the latter part of the season with the Chicago Bulls after being traded, is headed for unrestricted free agency. And while the Bulls’ interest in re-signing him is fair to question, the Celtics would be wise to seriously consider an offseason reunion.
The Boston Celtics took a chance on the former Portland Trail Blazers guard during the 2025-26 season. Though Simons was ultimately traded for center Nikola Vucevic, he provided invaluable minutes as the Celtics sought to overcome widespread personnel losses and injuries. In 49 games for Boston, he averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.7 three-point field goals made in 24.5 minutes per game, shooting an efficient .440/.395/.889.
Those numbers translate to an even more impressive 20.8 points, 3.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.9 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes — top-tier production from a reserve. Beyond the stat sheet, Simons bought into the system. He embraced the need to sacrifice on offense while committing more energy on defense. His isolation defense remained fairly erratic, but his intensity away from the ball ultimately proved valuable to team success.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla often praised Simons during his time in Boston. That endorsement, combined with the Bulls’ apparent decision to hit the reset button under a new front office, makes a reunion more than just wishful thinking. Andrew Hanlon of Pippen Ain’t Easy recently highlighted Simons as one of five Bulls players who need to follow Chicago’s front office out the door. Hanlon’s reasoning was straightforward: Simons is a poor fit for a rotation already stocked with score-first players who don’t necessarily excel on defense. At 26 years old, and with the Bulls seemingly embracing a youth movement, the writing appears to be on the wall for Simons in Chicago.
Other suitors will almost certainly line up for the guard. He is a career 38.1 percent three-point shooter and a proven commodity when it comes to creating for himself and others with the ball in his hands. His skill set is undeniably appealing to teams in need of instant offense.
What works in the Celtics’ favor, however, is something more personal. When asked if he could see a future for himself in Boston, Simons didn’t hesitate:
“For sure, down the line. Like I said, I enjoyed my time here, built great relationships here, so yeah, I see it for sure.”
It stands to reason that Simons will be seeking a larger role than the one he received in Boston. He has the talent to play 30-plus minutes per game and had started each of his previous 178 games before joining the Celtics. Still, as Boston looks for ways to strengthen its second unit and retool on its path toward becoming NBA champions again, a reunion makes compelling sense.
The numbers, the fit, the coach’s praise, and the player’s own expressed interest all point in the same direction. For a Celtics team that knows exactly what Simons can provide — and what he’s willing to sacrifice — bringing the polarizing guard back home could be one of the smartest, and most under-the-radar, moves of the offseason.