The Boston Celtics are facing a difficult adjustment with Anfernee Simons, whose inconsistent performances are proving familiar to Portland Trail Blazers fans. Unlike his time in Portland, where he showed flashes of reliability, Simons has struggled noticeably to find his rhythm in Boston.
Simons’ limited role and reduced minutes in a crowded Celtics backcourt have compounded his difficulties. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla also grapples with Simons’ defensive shortcomings, which complicate his inclusion in regular rotations.
On The Zach Lowe Show, analysts Zach Lowe and Mo Dakhil highlighted Simons’ erratic start this season. Lowe noted that Simons’ impact has been “up and down, and almost more down than up,” citing games with limited scoring and ineffective shooting, such as 14 minutes and 2-of-9 shooting from the field.
Currently, Simons averages 13.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.1 rebounds with shooting splits of 45 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 85 percent from the free-throw line. These numbers mark his lowest offensive production since the 2020-21 season. Contributing factors include his decreased usage rate and playing alongside established guards Payton Pritchard and Derrick White.
A positive aspect is Simons’ shift toward a catch-and-shoot role, which suits his skill set better than the on-ball duties he had in Portland. However, this adjustment has not fully alleviated his struggles, illustrating the mismatch between Simons and Boston’s roster and playing style.
The Celtics showed openness to trading Simons shortly after acquiring him. With 21 games gone this season, the likelihood of a trade before February has increased. Potential trade destinations mentioned include the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets, although Milwaukee’s future direction remains unclear due to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s uncertain status.
Boston faces challenges in extracting value from Simons because of his expiring contract, defensive issues, and fluctuating play this season. Despite these hurdles, moving on seems to be in the best interest of both Simons and the Celtics.
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