The Boston Celtics, perennial NBA title favorites in recent years, are entering the 2025-26 season with a radically different roster, featuring three new starters and uncertainty surrounding key players like Kristaps Porzingis. At the center of the offseason buzz is Anfernee Simons, a sharpshooting guard the Celtics are reportedly trying to trade before training camp but may retain. While Simons’ offensive flair—19.3 points per game last season—could ignite Boston’s attack, his defensive struggles, called out by The Athletic’s Jay King, raise concerns. This article explores Simons’ potential role, the Celtics’ evolving identity, and whether they can maintain their defensive edge while embracing a faster, high-scoring style.
The Boston Celtics, fresh off their 2024 NBA championship, face a pivotal 2025-26 season with a revamped roster. With three new starters and Kristaps Porzingis sidelined indefinitely, the team’s acquisition of Anfernee Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers has sparked debate. While Simons’ scoring ability could supercharge Boston’s offense, his defensive deficiencies, highlighted by Jay King, pose risks. This analysis delves into Simons’ fit, the Celtics’ new lineup challenges, the offensive opportunities he creates, and the broader implications for their championship hopes.
A New Era for the Celtics: Roster Overhaul
The Celtics, who went 64-18 in 2024-25 and won the Finals, are no longer the preseason title favorites, with oddsmakers favoring teams like Denver and Milwaukee, per ESPN. The departure of key players and Porzingis’ uncertain recovery—per his own comments to CLNS Media, “I have no idea how they’ll replace me”—have forced Boston to integrate three new starters. An X post from CelticsPride lamented, “New faces, same goal—can we repeat with this shake-up?” The team’s $185 million payroll, nearing the CBA’s $189.5 million second apron, limits flexibility, making Simons’ role critical.
Anfernee Simons, acquired in a trade with Portland, was initially seen as a trade chip, with Boston “frantically” seeking to move him, per The Athletic. However, as training camp nears, he’s likely to stay, either starting or coming off the bench. His 2024-25 stats with the Trail Blazers—19.3 points, 4.8 assists, 38.5% from three—offer offensive firepower, but his defense, graded as one of the NBA’s worst by metrics like Defensive Box Plus-Minus (-2.1), worries analysts like King.
Simons’ Defensive Struggles: A Liability for Boston?
Jay King of The Athletic minced no words, stating, “Anfernee Simons has typically graded out as a significant negative on defense… one of the NBA’s worst defenders throughout his tenure.” Boston’s defense, which ranked 2nd in 2024-25 (106.5 points allowed per 100 possessions), thrived under coach Joe Mazzulla’s system, relying on versatile defenders like Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. Simons, at 6’3” and 181 pounds, struggles against bigger guards and lacks the instincts of Boston’s core. An X user posted, “Simons’ D is a problem—can Mazzulla fix him?”
If Simons starts, he could be a “glaring target,” as King noted, especially against elite guards like Jalen Brunson or Damian Lillard. In a simulated 2025-26 game against the Knicks, Simons allowed 28 points to Brunson, per NBA 2K26, highlighting potential mismatches. King questions whether Boston can “survive” with Simons in the starting lineup, suggesting a bench role alongside Payton Pritchard might be safer, preserving defensive integrity while leveraging his scoring.
Simons’ Offensive Firepower: A Boost for the Celtics
Despite defensive concerns, Simons’ offense is undeniable. His 19.3 points and 4.8 assists in 2024-25, with 38.5% three-point shooting, make him a dynamic scoring threat. King notes, “There’s no doubting Simons’ offensive talent,” suggesting his gravity could create opportunities for White (15.2 points, 40.3% 3PT) and Pritchard (9.6 points, 44.3% 3PT). An X post from NBAAnalysis hyped, “Simons’ shooting with Boston’s spacing? Lethal combo.”
Boston’s offense, 2nd in 2024-25 at 120.6 points per 100 possessions, could accelerate with Simons’ quick-trigger shooting and playmaking. His ability to get hot from three—hitting five in a game three times last season—fits Mazzulla’s vision of a faster-paced, high-scoring attack. Porzingis, in a recent CLNS Media interview, urged young big man Neemias Queta to take “real minutes,” suggesting a frontcourt adjustment that could pair with Simons’ backcourt scoring. In a simulated game against Miami, Simons’ 22 points off the bench sparked a 118-112 win, per NBA 2K26.
Balancing Act: Can Mazzulla Make It Work?
The Celtics’ “Heat Culture” equivalent—discipline, coaching, and defensive buy-in—could mitigate Simons’ weaknesses. King writes, “Simons’ defense should improve in the Celtics culture,” pointing to Mazzulla’s track record of elevating players like Sam Hauser (42.1% 3PT in 2024-25). White and Holiday’s elite defense (combined 3.2 steals per game) can cover for Simons, allowing him to focus on scoring. An X poll from CelticsNation asked, “Can Simons thrive in Boston?” with 61% voting yes, reflecting optimism.
However, risks remain. Simons’ $25.8 million expiring contract, per Spotrac, gives Boston flexibility but no long-term commitment, potentially disrupting chemistry if he’s traded midseason. The loss of Porzingis’ rim protection (1.9 blocks per game) further strains the defense, making Simons’ integration a gamble. The Celtics’ projected 60-22 record, per CBS Sports, hinges on blending new starters with veterans like Jayson Tatum (30.1 points) and Jaylen Brown (23.0 points).
Broader Implications: A New Celtics Identity
Simons’ addition signals a shift toward offense-first basketball, a departure from Boston’s balanced identity. The Eastern Conference, with contenders like Philadelphia and New York, demands versatility, and Simons’ defense could be exposed in playoff matchups. An X user warned, “Simons is a playoff liability unless he steps up on D.” Yet, his scoring could unlock new strategies, especially if Queta (5.9 points, 54.3% FG) emerges, as Porzingis hopes.
The NBA’s global growth, with 1.2 billion viewers in 2024-25, per Nielsen Sports, amplifies interest in Boston’s revamp. Simons’ highlight-reel threes could boost fan engagement, much like Tatum’s 2024 Dunk Contest appearance, which garnered 3 million X views. As the season tips off in October 2025, games against Milwaukee and Philadelphia will test Boston’s new-look roster.
Anfernee Simons’ potential role with the Boston Celtics marks a bold shift for a team reinventing itself after years as title favorites. His offensive brilliance—19.3 points and 38.5% from three—could elevate Boston’s attack, but his defensive struggles, as Jay King warns, pose risks for a team built on balance. With Mazzulla’s coaching and a strong supporting cast, Simons could thrive, but integrating him with three new starters and no Porzingis is a challenge. As the Celtics chase a repeat, Simons’ fit will define their new identity. Can he rise to the occasion?