Anfernee Simons is vital to what the Boston Celtics plan to do before the trade deadline.

The Boston Celtics didn't see this coming.

After Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury, everyone thought this season would just be a transition year. But they've become real contenders in the Eastern Conference. They were 18–11 as of Wednesday, which puts them third in the East. Now, the front office has to rethink whether they should be aggressive when the NBA trade deadline hits on Feb. 5.

Simons is key to the Celtics' trade plans as the deadline approaches. He was Boston’s big offseason pickup and their most valuable trade piece.

NBA insider Jake Fischer says the Celtics might actually keep Simons past the deadline. This is a big change since they initially saw him as mostly a way to match salaries in trades.

Fischer wrote, The Celtics could keep it simple and look for deals that get rid of the guard’s $27.6 million salary. This would help them avoid the luxury tax while Tatum is out. He added, But Boston is doing way better than expected. Let's say the Celtics use Simons to get a good frontcourt player. Then they might challenge teams in the East, even if Tatum is out all season.

Fischer also mentioned, I've heard from sources that Boston might just decide to keep Simons. They are okay with paying some luxury tax this season after saving a lot of money in the offseason by getting rid of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis.

Simons is doing well in Boston, but nothing too crazy.

In 29 games with Boston, Simons is scoring 13.0 points, with 2.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds. He's giving them some outside shooting and spacing in Coach Joe Mazzulla’s offence that relies a lot on three-pointers.

Simons usually shoots 38 per cent from three-point range and scores 14.9 points per game. Now, he's playing a role where he supports the main guys, instead of being the star like he was in Portland. He's playing consistently, but he's not a game-changer, so he's still part of trade talks.

His contract makes him pretty valuable. It's a $27.7 million deal that ends this year. This gives Boston options: they can improve the team or cut costs if they need to.

The Celtics have looked into Simon's trades before.

Back in November, Michael Scotto from HoopsHype said Boston checked out some trades involving Simons soon after they got him. They even talked to the Brooklyn Nets.

Scotto wrote that Boston and Brooklyn talked about a few trades that didn't work out before the season started. These talks happened while the Celtics were dealing with the league’s restrictions and changing the team.

It wasn't just about Simons. Scotto also mentioned that Boston wanted Nets centre Day’Ron Sharpe to help the frontcourt. Even though Boston could only offer a minimum contract at the time, they thought Sharpe could compete for a starting spot.

Sharpe is putting up 7.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 16.3 minutes. Boston was interested because they needed help inside.

They still need frontcourt help.

The Celtics have been counting on Neemias Queta, who averages 10.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. But they don't have another consistent inside player who can defend well and grab rebounds.

That's why Simons is still up for trade if the right offer comes along.

Fischer wrote, I think if Boston could trade Simons for a better player and lower their tax bill, or avoid the tax altogether, Brad Stevens would do it in a heartbeat.

The luxury tax is still a worry, but not as much.

Boston is about $12 million over the luxury tax. But, according to Scotto, the Celtics don't have to cut salary unless a good deal comes up.

They already saved money by trading Holiday and Porziņģis. Plus, the owners are willing to pay some tax if the team stays competitive.

The Celtics don't want to give up draft picks just to trade Simons’ contract, which makes it harder to save money.

Optionality defines the deadline.

Boston is in a good spot because it's doing better than expected.

They're not just trying to save money or get assets. They can choose to stay put, get better, or make small changes.

Simons represents that choice.

Whether Boston keeps him, trades him for a frontcourt player, or uses him to tweak the roster will show how far this season can go. It will also show how the Celtics balance winning now with planning for the future.

Right now, the Celtics aren't selling.

They're figuring things out.

During the first half of a game versus the Phoenix Suns at the Mortgage Matchup Centre on December 14, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, we see JJ Redick watching.

After the Los Angeles Lakers got crushed by the Phoenix Suns 132-108 on Tuesday, Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn't pull any punches. It was one of their worst defensive showings this season—and that’s saying something considering they’ve allowed an average of 121.6 points in their last 10 games. The Lakers let the Suns shoot 59% from the field, giving up 62 points in the paint.

“They scored on their first 13 possessions of the second half,” Redick complained. “They had about a 140 offensive rating when they touched the paint, and they touched the paint every single time, and we couldn’t stop them from getting in there.”

Redick mentioned his staff tried different defensive schemes, but nothing seemed to stop the Suns, whose starting players shot 65% from the field. Even Jamaree Bouyea, a nobody G-Leaguer, scored on 7 of 10 shots off the bench.

“We tried zone, and they got a layup and an open three,” Redick commented. “We didn’t get the ball iced in pick and roll. On the second play in the zone, they went to the middle, we didn’t go under, and they scored a layup. If you’re not doing what we’re trying to do to protect and keep the ball on the side, you're going to get taken advantage of.”

JJ Redick: “You can take shortcuts, or you can do the hard thing and put in the extra effort. You can sprint back, or you can't. It all boils down to choice.”

Lakers Stuck in Mud

The coach, in his second year, pointed out that the Lakers’ defence has been weak against young teams with guards who can drive. Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, the San Antonio Spurs’ guard trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, and the Utah Jazz’s Keyonte George have all done well against the Lakers recently, which led to the Suns' big night on Tuesday.

“…The problem with our team is that we just can’t move with these young, fast teams. We’re like we’re stuck in mud,” Redick lamented.

“Zone didn’t work; we switched everything one through five in the second half, but that didn’t work either. At that point, you're out of ideas.”

“Again, the problem with our team is that we just can’t keep up with these young, fast teams. It’s like we’re stuck in mud.”

JJ Redick on how hard it is to defend younger teams

Is the Lakers' Defence Beyond Fixing?

Following the loss, the Lakers’ defensive rating slipped back to No. 24. The six teams below them are probably heading for the lottery, with records under .350. That’s not a good sign for a Lakers team that wants to win an NBA title instead of getting a high lottery pick.

Tuesday was also the Lakers’ first two-game losing streak this season, after the LA Clippers crushed JJ Redick’s team last Saturday. Though they're in a slump, Redick sounded hopeful about a turnaround because of recent injuries to his players.

“The guys have been great at bouncing back from tough situations, like injuries, losses, or bad games,” Redick said about his team.

“We still have a lot of games left, so we need to keep it up and stay together. After these two games, things aren’t going to feel good. We will be thinking about how the team played.

“I told everyone to switch off tomorrow, spend time with their families, and enjoy the holiday. We’ll all come back on Christmas ready to go.”

The Lakers (19-9) next play the Houston Rockets (17-10) at home on Christmas Day. It'll be the first time these Western Conference rivals have met this year. On a positive note, Luka Dončić and Rui Hachimura might be back from injuries.