The Boston Celtics are in a bit of a freefall. After shedding Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in cost-cutting trades, Brad Stevens is racing the apron clock; the window to find a meaningful value for Anfernee Simons might be closing fast. The Celtics took on Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract in the Holiday trade with Portland. Since then, the whispers have been steady. 

Boston doesn’t plan on holding Simons long-term, and they’re clearly motivated to get under the second apron. The longer they sit on him, the harder that gets. With Jayson Tatum likely missing most of the season, and Al Horford walking in free agency, Boston’s 2025 outlook is bleak. They’re rebuilding on the fly, prioritizing future flexibility. Simons, a high-usage guard entering his prime, doesn’t fit that picture. But he might fit perfectly somewhere else.

According to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico: “The 76ers and Nuggets are among the teams that have expressed interest in a possible trade for Celtics guard Anfernee Simons, NBA sources told Hoops Wire.” Denver has already made major moves this offseason, flipping Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, signing Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., and trading for Jonas Valanciunas. That alone might’ve earned them the best offseason grade in the West.

Jokic made that clear after the Nuggets’ Game 7 loss to the Thunder, “We didn’t, so obviously we can’t.” The front office has taken that to heart and has a clear mandate: retool around three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and make another title push before things get too expensive. They’ve already upgraded their depth. Now, they want another scoring punch off the bench. Simons fits that bill.

The 26-year-old Celtics star is coming off a 19.3 PPG season with Portland, shooting 36.3% from deep and 90.2% at the line. He’s explosive, can run pick-and-roll, and thrives in catch-and-shoot situations, exactly the kind of offensive weapon Denver lacked behind Jamal Murray last postseason.

Why Denver must act on Simons now

Although the fit makes sense, it won’t be easy. Amico added, “Given their salary constraints, it would take a minor miracle to pull off another deal.” Denver is hovering near the luxury tax line. Adding Simons’ $27.7 million salary outright is financially unrealistic. The Nuggets do have a $16.8 million trade exception from the Porter-Johnson swap and they’re just under the first apron. But getting a deal done for Simons would likely require moving another rotation player or pulling off a multi-team trade.

Still, Denver doesn’t need Simons to be a starter. They need his scoring punch off the bench in April and May, when playoff rotations tighten and every possession matters. In short bursts, Simons can bend defenses. He doesn’t solve the Nuggets‘ defensive concerns, but with Jokic on the floor orchestrating, Denver can afford to lean offense-heavy at the guard spot.

The 76ers are also reportedly interested, but Philly’s guard rotation is already bloated with Tyrese Maxey, Austin Reaves, and Malik Monk. Unless a corresponding move happens, their Simons pursuit feels more speculative. Denver’s need is clearer. They need more creation in the backcourt. That’s why Simons is on their radar. While he won’t come cheap, and Denver may decide to stand pat. But in a West that just got stronger, with OKC ascending, Minnesota still dangerous, and the Clippers reloaded, the Nuggets are under pressure to stay aggressive.