Celtics actively trying to trade Anfernee Simons
The Boston Celtics are continuing to be active in trade talks as they are evaluating their options on moving Anfernee Simons to another team after acquiring him from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the Jrue Holiday deal. Simons, who is represented by Bill Duffy, is on an expiring contract worth $27.7 million. ?I have talked to other teams who have said they are actively trying to trade Anfernee Simons,? said Brian Windhorst on Wednesday?s Hoop Collective Podcast. ?Whether they can or not is another [thing].? 7 mins ago ? via RealGM
It's interesting that Brad said repeatedly at the press conference that he will not attach a first rounder to get below the luxury tax. To me, that's a clear indication that teams are trying to extort a 1st to dump Simons.
Simons shouldn't have negative trade value, but teams know the Celts want to shed salary, so they're not going to do any favors.
Not just 1sts. He said he didn't want to trade 2nds either to shed salary. He wants to maintain the assets they have.
Stevens clearly said they are comfortable with where their salary is in the press conference. That could be posturing, but I don't think Stevens works like that. Getting under the 1st apron gives them some additional benefits, but those benefits didn't seem like a major priority for Stevens at this time.
Again, the biggest priority from ownership and Stevens has been to focus on their team assets so they can retool around the Jays, not to shed salary. Getting under the 1st apron may improve their flexibility, but they won't do that at the expense of other assets.
It's also worth noting that this is coming Windhorst, who has historically been a mouthpiece for any team but the Celtics, and has "reported" many times in ways that seem to try to disadvantage the Celtics.