Celtics trade pitch lands high-flying forward for Anfernee Simons
The Celtics traded away star center Kristaps Porzingis in a cost-cutting move this offseason and are also expected to lose Al Horford in free agency. With a lackluster center group, along with Sam Hauser and Georges Niang at power forward, the team could be looking to acquire another big man this summer.
SI.com recently put together a mock trade that would reroute Anfernee Simons to the Indiana Pacers, giving the Celtics another forward while Jayson Tatum recovers from a torn Achilles.
Here's their proposed trade:
Celtics receive: Obi Toppin, 2027 first-round pick (lottery protected via IND)
Pacers receive: Anfernee Simons, Jordan Walsh
Hawks receive: Jarace Walker
The Celtics are unlikely to contend for a title this season as Tatum is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025-26 campaign. However, Toppin is under contract through the 2028-29 season and would immediately bolster Boston's frontcourt. He'd likely step into a starting role this season, whereas he's still expected to back up Pascal Siakam in Indiana.
MORE: NBA writer urges Celtics to address center depth amid rocky offseason
Still, Simons is on an expiring contract, so Walker, Toppin and a lottery protected first-round pick may be too steep a price for the Pacers. On the other hand, Simons could be a solid short-term replacement for Tyrese Haliburton, who has already been ruled out for 2025-26 due to a torn Achilles.
This trade could make sense if the Pacers want to shed salary by next offseason, though they still have Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell to run the point while Haliburton is sidelined.
While adjustments would be needed to complete this trade, the basic framework makes sense for Boston and could also appeal to the Pacers if they are looking to free up cap space following their gap year.
MORE NBA NEWS:
Luka Doncic's offseason transformation reportedly set before Mavericks trade
NBA analyst offers update on LeBron James' future after cryptic post
Knicks face $156 million decision as extension looms for Mikal Bridges
NBA executive predicts breakout season for ex-Nuggets forward
NBA writer urges Sixers to compromise with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
15 minutes ago
- USA Today
Lakers are monitoring the situation with former All-Star center
It is presumed that the Los Angeles Lakers are done making roster moves this offseason. However, there is always the chance that they make a move or two once the season gets started. With the NBA's new ultra-restrictive salary cap now in full effect and teams across the league feeling its effects, there have been perfectly viable players getting their contracts bought out. The Lakers have capitalized on this trend by signing 26-year-old potential-laden center Deandre Ayton and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. Ideally, they would find a better backup behind Ayton than Jaxson Hayes. There is reportedly a chance that Nikola Vučević, a veteran center who has made the All-Star team twice, will get his contract bought out by the Chicago Bulls. According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, the Lakers are "closely monitoring that situation." "This does leave a few interesting free agents still, not even including eventual buyout candidates like Chicago's Nikola Vučević," Irwin wrote. "As they did with Smart, the Lakers are closely monitoring that situation." Vucevic will turn 35 years of age in late October and is noticeably unathletic, not to mention a weak defender. But he has shown some ability to hit the 3-point shot over the years, although his 3-point efficiency has fluctuated from year to year, and he's a capable rebounder. This past season, he averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 0.7 blocks a game while shooting 53% from the field and 40.2% from 3-point range. The previous season, he made 29.4% of his 3-point attempts. As of now, the Lakers have just over $1 million of space under the first apron of the salary cap, which isn't enough to sign him to the veteran's minimum contract.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ex-NBA All-Star Calls Out Jeff Teague For "Moonwalking" On His LeBron James Steroid Use Accusation
Ex-NBA All-Star Calls Out Jeff Teague For "Moonwalking" On His LeBron James Steroid Use Accusation originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Going into year 23, LeBron James has played at the pinnacle of basketball for over two decades. He has exceeded all expectations in terms of longevity and efficiency at this age. Just recently, Jeff Teague, a former NBA player, accused him of using steroids during his time with the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014. Just hours after this accusation, Teague retracted his statement on Instagram, saying he was joking when he said that. That did not sit well with Gilbert Arenas, the former NBA All-Star, who went on social media to call him out for retracting his words as if he was "moonwalking." 'Ah man! They got you, Jeff, but look, congratulations, I heard the Colts just signed you to cornerback, they said they loved the way you backpedalled out of that statement,' said Arenas as he laughed at Teague's situation. 'They said you were out here moonwalking, man. Michael Jackson on them, man. Damn, Jeff, you can't say that about the King, man. I know your page started flickering, didn't it? Page started flickering, algorithm started messing up? Club 520 about to be Club 260 cause you're a** would've been gone.' 'Ay, Jeff! You better stop it because there are a few people you can't talk about: LeBron James, Bronny James, and that's it. Nobody else got that kind of power, you see, your daddy called, and they got to him. Boy, you better buy your LeBron jersey and sit back and be Team LeBron like the rest of us.' LeBron James became the only player last season to not miss a single attempt in 50+ dunk attempts across all teams, going 71 of 71. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds in 70 games played in the regular season last year. James not only made the All-NBA second team last season, but he also did it with impeccable efficiency. Playing at this level, at his age, also makes him vulnerable to baseless accusations that he may be using performance-enhancing drugs in one way or another. LeBron James became the only player last season to not miss a single attempt in 50+ dunk attempts across all teams, going 71 of 71. He averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds in 70 games played in the regular season last year. Seeing that LeBron James' legal team has been active recently, Teague may have anticipated some legal action against himself, too, for making such a statement about James without concrete proof. They never played on the same team, and Teague's podcast has recently gained a massive following, which could have prompted the Lakers' superstar to take legal action against him for slandering him in front of a massive audience. Therefore, it seems that Teague took the safe way out and claimed he was joking. Sources have previously also claimed that it is an unsaid and secret belief among players in the league that James uses PEDs. The lack of any concrete proof, instead of loads of circumstantial evidence like the time taken in his return from injury or performance at this age, is probably the reason why players have not made public statements to this effect. Now, Teague did that and immediately played it off as a joke. Maybe we just have to accept that LeBron James is a story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Former NBA All-Star's Son Alijah Arenas Likely Sidelined For Full NCAA Season After Latest Meniscus Injury
Former NBA All-Star's Son Alijah Arenas Likely Sidelined For Full NCAA Season After Latest Meniscus Injury originally appeared on Fadeaway World. USC's newest recruit, Alijah Arenas, has suffered a tear in his meniscus that could sideline him for six to eight months, which could mean that he watches the entire debut season of his NCAA career from the bench, as per NBA Insider Chris Haynes. The Trojans could decide to redshirt him for the season. But it is unlikely, as the former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas' son was expected to declare for the draft in 2026, making him a likely candidate for a 'one and done' college career. Arenas is a highly-rated prospect for the NBA. Some sources believe that he could be a potential lottery pick and even a top-five pick in the draft. During his Jr. Varsity season this year, he played 35 games where he averaged 29.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Just weeks after his terrible accident in April 2025, Arenas had committed to USC for his first NCAA season. He was going to, in a way, follow the footsteps of Bronny James into the NBA. While he is much more highly rated than Bronny, they both believed that they did not need to go very far from their homes in California to get the best facilities and chance at improving their game to make it to the league. Unfortunately, Arenas will now likely sit out most of his rookie season at USC unless he makes a miracle recovery. NBA fans seemingly deemed this as the 'Arenas Curse' as his father, Gilbert Arenas, also saw his career be significantly impacted by his knee issues, especially meniscus tears. Like in 2007, he tore the meniscus on his knee twice in the same season. Fans took to social media, and while most of them sympathized with the young starlet through their prayers, some also let his father bear the brunt of it. "Really feel for this young man. His wreck, his dad is a f***in idiot, now this." "USC Basketball has got to be cursed when it comes to sons of NBA players SMH," said an NBA fan about Bronny James' cardiac issue when he was with USC as well. "Gil's negative karma is finally hitting." "This just s**ks. He's a guaranteed lottery pick for the 2025 season. We may have another Michael Porter Jr. situation where one of the best scorers in the country completely falls and goes to a good team. That's the bright side." "Wasn't he in a car crash recently, too? Prayers, man." "Gil man.. pls stop talkin about legends.. This started once u started saying Bs." Most of the fans are not blaming Gilbert Arenas, but some are making sure to point out the eerie coincidence of timing and type of injury. One key question that is brought up with this injury is how it will affect his draft stock if he doesn't play a whole season in the NCAA. Fans pointed out correctly that we may have another Michael Porter Jr. type situation with Arenas, who was a projected top-five pick in the draft but fell to the 14th pick due to his injury situation and joined a contending team with the Nuggets. Therefore, a silver lining here for Arenas could be that his draft stock falls and he joins a strong team in the story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
