The Boston Celtics made their first major move of the offseason by trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. The Celtics were expected to trade Holiday to shed salary. However, the Blazers were an unexpected landing spot. The Holiday-Simons trade was the first move of a busy offseason for the Celtics. Nevertheless, this move was amazing value for Boston, and Simons projects to fit like a glove in the Celtics system. Let’s dive into Simons’ fit with the Celtics.
Newest Celtic is a Perfect Fit for Mazzulla Ball
Simons’ Fit With the Celtics
The Celtics have led the league in three-point attempts and makes in two of the three seasons since Joe Mazzulla has taken over as head coach. Simons is an ideal fit in this three-point-centric offense. Notably, he shot 36.3 percent from three on 8.5 attempts per game and is a career 38.1 percent three-point shooter. Over the past four seasons, Simons has never averaged less than 7.8 three-point attempts per game and has shot 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. Simons’ high three-point volume makes him a clear fit for “Mazzulla ball.” In Boston, Simons’ volume is poised to further increase. Additionally, during the 2025 portion of this past season, the 6-foot-3 guard ranked fifth in made three-pointers per game. Over the past two seasons, Simons has averaged 20.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds on 42.8/37.2/90.9 shooting splits.
From the start of the new year through the end of the season, Anfernee Simons averaged 3.4 made threes per game, the fifth most in the league during that span (min. 30 GP) behind only Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley, and Derrick White
He shot 38.2% over that stretch pic.twitter.com/pF84VJ2nCC
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) June 24, 2025
Simons is a gifted shot creator who can score from multiple levels. He thrives in both pick-and-roll and isolation situations. Impressively, Simons ranked 11th in clutch points per game this past season. Simons’ ability to create his own shot will benefit the Celtics with Jayson Tatum injured. Getting a capable shot creator will allow the Celtics to remain competitive. Furthermore, his spot-up shooting gives Jaylen Brown and Tatum (when he returns) an elite kick-out option. The Celtics’ offense tends to get the best out of shooters due to how many open looks they can generate. As a result, Simons should thrive with the Celtics.
Where Simons Fits in as a Playmaker and Defender
Simons is an off-guard, not a traditional point guard. Still, Simons can playmake and initiate some offense. In the Celtics system, this is perfect; Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Brown, and Tatum (when healthy) all handle the ball a good amount, so having a traditional point guard isn’t necessary.
While Simons is a clear fit offensively, his defensive deficiencies need to be mentioned. Simons is simply one of the worst perimeter defenders in the league. Regardless, playing next to great perimeter defenders, including White and Brown, will help cover up his weaknesses. Additionally, it’s possible that playing on a more competitive team will help Simons improve defensively. With a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Simons has the tools to improve on defense. Even if Simons doesn’t make a positive impact defensively, which is likely, his offensive value will outweigh these concerns.
The Last Word
Ultimately, this trade was a no-brainer for the Celtics. They saved $4.8 million and got a highly productive player in exchange for Holiday, who needed to be traded for cap reasons. The two second-round picks are a nice bonus. Simons helps the Celtics remain competitive in the 2025-26 season, and the 26-year-old could be a long-term fit as Boston tries to become true contenders again in the following season.
Featured image: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
