Celtics Nearly Traded Anfernee Simons to Nets

Merlin sees Boston quietly kick the tires on sending Anfernee Simons to Brooklyn this summer — talks “ultimately fell through,” per reports — while Milwaukee has “kept tabs.” With the Celtics about $12 million over the luxury tax and Simons on an expiring $27.6 million deal, moving him would help payroll; ownership has budgeted for a tax bill but “wouldn't mind going below the tax for the right deal,” though the team “hasn't shown a willingness to attach a first-round pick.” Merlin notes Simons has answered reduced minutes with efficiency: a career-high 44.8% shooting and 14.4 points per game, plus back-to-back 23-point nights. That form could raise his market value, but Boston’s reluctance to surrender draft capital means a trade needs the right combination of salary relief and return — not just curiosity.