TACTICAL BREAKDOWN: WHY ANFERNEE SIMONS IS THE KEY TO BOSTON’S FRONTCOURT UPGRADE PLANS
Despite Tatum's injury, the 18–11 Celtics are contenders. Discover why Anfernee Simons has become their ultimate trade deadline chip.
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.
LAKERS ON THE BRINK: LEBRON JAMES ADMITS DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER 3-0 SERIES DEFICIT
"We still have life." LeBron James remains defiant despite a brutal 131-108 loss to OKC at the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves just one loss away from elimination after a tough 131-108 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night. Although the Lakers held a halftime lead for the second consecutive game, they again fell apart in the second half, allowing Oklahoma City to cruise to a 3-0 series lead.
LeBron James spoke after the game, highlighting the Thunder’s depth and relentless energy while emphasising that the Lakers still believe they have a chance to push the series further. The Thunder outscored Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime and once more dominated the third quarter, continuing a pattern that has largely defined this series.
“They’re solid from top to bottom,” James said after the game. “And they never take their foot off the gas.”
Oklahoma City converted at a 56 per cent clip and spread the scoring load, even though reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was only 7-of-20 from the field with 23 points. The Thunder’s supporting players reinforced the effort alongside Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso.
LeBron pointed directly to the third quarter as the turning point for Game 3.
“Obviously, the third quarter is where it starts,” he noted. “We lacked the energy and effort, and they dropped over 30 points on us.”
Despite strong first-half performances from Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, giving Los Angeles a one-point lead at halftime, Oklahoma City seized control right after the break, forcing turnovers and capitalising on easy transition baskets.
“In that third quarter, we couldn’t hit shots,” James admitted. “We defended but didn’t get stops, which let them take control.”
The Lakers were outscored 33-20 in that quarter alone. James managed just one field goal, while Austin Reaves went scoreless in the period.
James finished the night with 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, but his shooting was off at 7-for-19, and he posted a minus-24 plus-minus rating.
Los Angeles also turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 30 points for the Thunder. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 64-44 in the paint as well.
When pressed about the frustration of falling behind 3-0, James kept his response measured.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or angry,” he said. “You’re obviously disappointed being down 3-0, but we still have life. That’s all you can ask for. We have to be much better on Monday.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick backed up James’ take, describing Oklahoma City as an elite team in the NBA.
“They’ve beaten us three straight games,” Redick said. “They’re a really impressive basketball team.”
Redick previously drew comparisons between the Thunder and dominant teams like the 1990s Chicago Bulls and the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. James acknowledged Oklahoma City’s versatility and depth, which have caused significant matchup problems.
“They have the right personnel to adapt to whatever you throw out there,” James said. “And they stay productive no matter who’s on the floor.”
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander’s uneven scoring, the Thunder have continued to win comfortably. Holmgren’s inside presence has been dominant, and Mitchell once again put up a strong stat line with 24 points and 10 assists.
James wasn’t surprised by the Thunder’s sustained pressure, given their roster makeup.
“You’ve seen them develop over the years,” he said. “They have a lot of players who can do multiple things, and that depth really helps.”
The Lakers are still without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April, which has hampered their offensive rhythm, especially late in games.
Facing elimination now, James insisted the team’s focus remains squarely on Game 4 rather than any bigger questions about the group’s future.
"No", James said when asked if they considered this might be their last run together. “We’re just concentrating on the moment and moving forward from there.”
Game 4 is set for Monday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will fight to avoid a sweep and keep the series alive before heading back to Oklahoma City.
MAX HOLLOWAY BREAKS SILENCE ON PARAMOUNT REGARDING CONOR MCGREGOR UFC 329 RUMORS
Relive the 13-year history between Holloway and McGregor as the Hawaiian star targets International Fight Week for ultimate revenge.
Max Holloway is hungry for payback against Conor McGregor as rumours swirl about a rematch.
McGregor hasn’t stepped inside the octagon since that quick loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. His last win was way back in 2020 when he steamrolled Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in under a minute. He was supposed to fight Michael Chandler in 2024, but that fell through after he got injured.
Now, at 37, McGregor’s back in training and eyeing a return for UFC 329 on July 11, right as International Fight Week rolls around. Before that, he missed out on a shot at the White House card, so this July date is shaping up to be his next window.
Dana White has flip-flopped a bit on McGregor’s comeback, but now he sounds confident: “It’s looking good. Believe me, you know once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.” And right now, Holloway looks like the top pick for the fight, 13 years after they first went at it.
Back then, McGregor beat Holloway by decision. Since then, Holloway’s had his own ups and downs; he lost the BMF belt to Charles Oliveira in March and hasn’t fought since. Still, he’s eager to get back, especially if it means a shot at Conor.
Talking to Paramount, Holloway laid it out: “We have history. We fought a long time ago. If someone’s got a win over me, I want that back. If he really is serious about returning, and it looks like he is, then this is an exciting fight. He looks hungry. He even did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so it looks like he’s really coming back. I just want another shot. Any fight with Conor is huge, but with our past? It means even more. If I can knock a few names off my list, that’s great.”
For now, Holloway hasn’t heard anything official from the UFC about July. "Maybe we'll see what happens,” he said. “I’m seeing all the same talk you are. I haven’t heard anything yet, but July would work for me. They say you’re only as good as your last fight, and I want people to forget about that one as soon as possible.”
