Until the Boston Celtics play a game during the 2025-26 season, Brad Stevens can't be counted out. After the countless moves he's already made, many expect more to be on the way, as the Celtics still need to shed some more salary.
With where the Celtics stand, it's possible that anyone not named Jayson Tatum could be traded.
Of course, it'll take a massive haul for the Celtics to move on from players like Jaylen Brown or Derrick White, but their recently acquired guard, Anfernee Simons, isn't the same.
When searching for players who could be moved from their current teams, Brad Botkin of CBS Sports recently named Simons a candidate to be traded, adding that the Celtics are trying to duck under the luxury tax.
"Now, the move I do believe the Celtics will make is to flip Anfernee Simons, who was acquired in the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland," Botkin wrote. "Simons is due to make $27.7 million this season, and with the Celtics trying to duck under the luxury tax, The Athletic's Jay King reports that they are exploring the idea of rerouting Simons before he ever suits up as a Celtic."
"Perhaps Brooklyn would be willing to absorb Simons, who's on an expiring contract, into its plentiful cap space for a sweetener, or serve as a third team in a more complicated structure. There has been other reporting linking Simons to the Clippers."
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If the Celtics could make a move with Simons to get under the second apron, it's safe to say that Stevens would take it, no matter what his return is.
He had one goal entering the offseason, and that was to dip below the second apron.