Celtics Could Flip Anfernee Simons At Deadline

The Celtics are weighing what to do with guard Anfernee Simons ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, with Jake Fischer reporting Boston "could very well elect to keep Simons." His $27.7 million expiring salary gives flexibility, and the team would ideally flip him for a rotational upgrade that also lowers the luxury tax. Simons has not raised his stock, averaging 13 points and shooting 36.9 percent from three. Merlin sees a club caught between prudence and ambition. Boston trimmed payroll and tax exposure and sits third in the East, so Brad Stevens will not accept a weak offer just to clear salary. If a true frontcourt upgrade shows up at fair cost, the move will come. Otherwise Simons remains useful now and as cap relief later.