NBA Notebook: New-look Celtics could bring Anfernee Simons back this summer

The Celtics have spent the weeks around the trade deadline re-configuring their lineup after altering it drastically with their biggest trade deadline move, swapping Anfernee Simons or Nikola Vučević. While awaiting Vučević’s arrival between games in Dallas and Houston, Boston moved Payton Pritchard to the bench, breaking up a four-man lineup alongside Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Neemias Queta that dominated all season. The center rotation also became a challenge. Joe Mazzullaused double-bigs against the Heat and later admitted that his experimental coaching put the Celtics in a massive hole.

"It's not necessarily different," he said. "I thought that's why we got off to a slow start was because of me and yesterday, probably trying to solve for the three what-if scenarios over the course of the rest of the season and get us ready for everything instead of ... what do we just have to see in a game? And then get ready from there. When you add a piece, you're trying to anticipate things. What're the matchups? What're the coverages? What plays? What're the reads in these plays? So I thought I put the guys in a tough spot to start the game just processing all the what-if scenarios."

"Once we just simplified it and once the game went on and we were able to see those reads, I thought the guys did a much better job."

Boston eventually returned to a single center look with Queta, while Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman and Brown filled the wing positions next to him. Pritchard stayed on the bench and thrived, averaging 22.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game with the group while shooting 52% from the field. He scored 26 points in each of the Celtics’ games around the break, and made Simons a distant memory. A larger role allowed Scheierman to thrive as a rebounder (7.8 RPG) and perhaps pave the way for Jayson Tatum to join the starting lineup if he returns.

The Celtics’ move also created implications for next season. Boston already would’ve received a full mid-level exception when Simons’ contract expired, but now have Bird rights to re-sign Vučević (1yr, $21.5M expiring) and the $15.1 million MLE to acquire a free agent. Using the latter would hard cap the Celtics at the first apron, but it at least opens the door for a Simons return, something he entertained prior to his return to Boston with the Bulls earlier this month.

“For sure,” he told Boston Sports Journal.“Obviously, we gotta finish our season here first and then see what happens there, but for sure down the line. I, like I said, enjoyed my time here, built great relationships here, so yeah, I see it for sure. We’ll see.”

Boston has $30.1 million in room below the first apron between 11 players at the moment. They could comfortably use $20-25 million of that to sign Vučević and Simons, along with their first round pick, who would make somewhere between $2.3-$3.0 million. Those three additions would court a 14-man roster if Amari Williams returns, or 15 if the Celtics sign Ron Harper Jr. long-term.

That roster building formula would also thrust the Celtics over the luxury tax line, something they may not want to do if they want to shed repeater tax status. Boston’s tax penalties become significantly less severe in 2027-28 if they don’t finish 2026-27 as a tax-payer. That said, they can begin the year above the tax and get below by the end of it, as they did this season with Simons. They’re currently in the process of utilizing 10-day contracts and their 90 allowed two-way days in the NBA to barely stay below the tax for 2025-26.

“The directive at this deadline, obviously this summer, we had to get under the second apron,” Brad Stevens said earlier this month. “There was every basketball reason in the world for that and it was the right thing to do. The directive at this trade deadline was, let’s see if we can find some size and give ourselves a little more depth there … After the Vooch trade then, we saw (getting below the tax) as an opportunity, but next year, if there’s something we look at and we say, we gotta take advantage of it right now, then we’re gonna try to take advantage of it. Bill (Chisholm) has been really clear with that. The tax, for me, there was an opportunity with two days left before the trade deadline that we didn’t necessarily think would be there.”

Multiple sources have since confirmed that Chisholm and Boston’s ownership did not mandate a move below the tax line before the deadline, with collaborative discussions between the front office and ownership continuing similarly to how they did between Danny Ainge, Stevens and Wyc Grousbeck’s ownership. That group paid a $52.6 million tax bill in 2024-25 and $43.8 million in the 2023-24 championship season, according to Spotrac, with Grousbeck speaking openly about how the team operated losses to fund winning. This new group will need to eventually prove its willingness to commit to a tax bill. They're roughly $21 million below the tax line for 2026-27 between 11 players under contract.

The Vučević deal allowed for center insurance that, whether the focus or a bonus to the deadline strategy that landed Boston below the tax line, could help in a playoff setting. Stevens said the Celtics felt like they needed more size and physicality for an Eastern Conference playoff run. That also potentially left them short at guard now and next season, but both Tatum’s return and the possibility of an old friend could change how this all looks — sooner or later. Simons, who has started and averaged 15.2 PPG through six games in Chicago, raved about his Boston experience and even understood and appreciated Stevens’ communication about a move. In turn, he earned Mazzulla’s trust and the admiration of teammates who understood how enormously he sacrificed compared to his previous role.

A former teammate who played with Simons watched and joked about how he’s never seen the star bend his knees and get in a defensive stance before 2025-26. Another one agreed.

“I think it starts with him, the person,” Mazzulla said. “He didn’t have to come in and accept what we needed from him and be open-minded and grow. We wouldn’t be in the position that we’re in right now if he didn’t help us win games. And so I think the humility and mindset that he brought in the role that we needed him to play, but also keep the confidence in who he is as a player and help us win games and his ability to want to get it right on both ends of the floor. I think his commitment to the defensive end and his ability to play, whether it was coming off the bench, whether it was starting, whether it was playing 14-15 minutes straight. His care factor’s really high and he wanted to do whatever it takes to win. So that’s what I remember him for.”

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Atlanta (27-31)/Golden State (29-27): The Kristaps Porziņģis experiment ended after only 17 games for the Hawks, who traded him to the Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga, ending the long-stalled development project for the wing in Golden State. Porziņģis missed 35 games between the return of his POTS condition symptoms and an Achilles ailment that's kept him out since Jan. 7. He scored 12 points in 17 minutes off the bench in his debut and first game against his former Celtics team, joining his former teammate Al Horford with the Warriors. Horford said there were reasons beyond basketball for his Boston departure. Porziņģis becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. Atlanta has a $24.3 million club option on Kuminga for next season. He’ll miss Saturday’s game with an illness, with his status unclear moving forward. The move followed the Bucks' rejection of the Warriors' offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo and ultimately retaining the superstar past the deadline. Steph Curry (knee) remains out after missing five games before the All-Star break. He underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage after not responding well to practice on Wednesday. He’ll be re-evaluated in 10 days.

Horford to @RealBobManning on his departure from BOS: "For me, the decision, it's something that's deeper than just the basketball stuff. And it's something that at some point I'll share with people, but for me, it felt like it was the time for me to go elsewhere." @CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/lsPh0sJHYP— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) February 20, 2026

"I'm learning some Latvian," Curry said. "I'm just hoping that he's healthy, first and foremost, so that he can do what he can do on the floor. Him and Al [Horford] won a championship together. Different context, but there's a familiarity and skill set and size and presence that we've been looking for a while."

Boston (36-19): Jayson Tatum practiced with the Maine Celtics in Boston on Monday in the latest step in his recovery from an Achilles tear after advancing to controlled 5-on-5 scrimmages, which Shams Charania reported on Sunday. Boston posted lackluster offensive performances in Nikola Vučević's first two games with the Celtics, shooting 9-for-21 with 11 points in each. Neemias Queta continued starting while Baylor Scheierman and Luka Garza received spot starts with Payton Pritchard moving to the bench following Anfernee Simons' departure. Sam Hauser (back spasms) missed Sunday's 22-point loss to the Knicks. They recovered with blowout wins over the Bulls and Warriors on either side of the break. During it, Jaylen Brown’s Team Stripes fell to the younger USA team in the All Star Game. His All-Star event in LA was shut down by police over a lack of a permit, officials later retracting several details of their original statement, including alleged past issues at the property and a denied permit for Brown’s event. Brown told ESPN he’s considering legal action.

The Celtics continue to assess the back end of their roster after salary dumping Chris Boucher to Utah, Josh Minott to Brooklyn and Xavier Tillman Sr. to Charlotte. They began filling those roster spots by signing two-way rookie Amari Williams to a two-year contract with a second-year team option. Boston acquired two-way wing John Tonje, the No. 53 pick in June's draft, in the trade with the Jazz, who later signed a 10-day deal. Former Celtic Dalano Banton also returned on a 10-day to fill the 14th roster spot. They slid below the luxury tax threshold with a series of moves, including the Simons-Vučević swap. It’s unclear when Tatum will begin practicing with the Boston Celtics, though Joe Mazzulla wouldn’t say whether he was or wasn’t participating in LA on Saturday.

Brooklyn (15-40): Josh Minott was introduced by the Nets, but hasn't received minutes through his first two games with his new team. He said he'll bring hunger and desperation to Brooklyn as he remains in the first season of a two-year deal with a second-year player option.

Charlotte (26-31)/Detroit (42-13): A brawl between Moussa Diabate and Jalen Duren led to ejections for both players and Miles Bridges and Isaiah Stewart, who joined the fight from the bench, and will result in significant suspensions. Detroit won, 110-104, while Hornets head coach Charles Lee got ejected later in the fourth quarter. Charlotte won nine straight games prior to the Pistons loss and surged into the 10th seed in the East by 1.0 game over the Bulls. The Hornets ranked second (+11.0) in net rating over the last 10 games entering the break, second in offense and seventh in defense. The NBA suspended Stewart for seven games, Bridges and Diabate for four each and Duren for two.

CRAZY NBA FIGHT IN CHARLOTTE 🥊 Moussa Diabate and Jalen Duren went AFTER IT & then Beef Stew and Miles Bridges were throwing HAYMAKERS 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UsNqI8zZWG— BET99 Sportsbook (@BET99Sportsbook) February 10, 2026

Dallas (19-36)/Washington (16-39): Traded Anthony Davis to the Wizards prior to the deadline alongside Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum, officially ending the Luka Dončić saga with a marked defeat. The Mavs now only have Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, Max Christie and three first-round picks that project to be late-rounders to show for their former superstar. Davis joins Trae Youngon the sideline for Washington, with both expected to miss most of the remainder of their season with injuries as Washington focuses on retaining its 1-8 protected first round pick that it owes to the Knicks. They’re currently fifth in the lottery standings.

Kyrie Irving (ACL) will not return to Dallas’ lineup this season as he continues to recover from surgery. His future in Dallas is now unclear as the Mavs reshape their roster around Cooper Flagg. Irving is signed through the end of next season, when he has a player option. Despite calls from Rich Paul for the Mavs or his new team to agree to an extension, Davis did not receive one and is also signed through 2026-27 with a $62.8 million player option for 2028.

Indiana (15-42)/Clippers (27-29): The Pacers took a bold stab at contending again next season by trading Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and their first-round pick this year, protected 1-4 and 10-30, becoming an unprotected 2031 pick if it doesn’t convey for Ivica Zubac. They also sent LA an unprotected 2029 first. Zubac is signed through the 2027-28 season at a $19.6 million average annual value. For the Clippers, who also traded James Harden to Cleveland before the deadline, the move gives them a strong chance at receiving a lottery pick in this draft after dealing their own pick to the Thunder in the Paul George trade. Intriguing center prospect Yanic Konan Niederhäuser will receive more opportunities while the team will further center around Kawhi Leonard, who exploded for 31 points in 12 minutes in the third round of the All Star Game before falling to the younger Team Stars USA group in the All Star Game at Intuit Dome in LA. Anthony Edwards won the game’s MVP award.

An In-Arena Look: KAWHI'S 31-POINT BARRAGE 🤯 https://t.co/7xterHIfYP pic.twitter.com/fKNcth70TL— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2026

Lakers (34-21): LeBron James offered little clarity over his future in his remarks at the All Star Game in LA, saying he’s still undecided over his future ahead of his unrestricted free agency this summer and what would be his age-42 season in 2026-27. ESPN reported that the Lakers have some interest in bringing James back. Luka Dončić (hamstring) returned for the game and played limited minutes, scoring nine points for the world team and landing on the bench alongside Nikola Jokić later in the tournament. Kevin Duranthad previously pointed the finger at Dončić and Jokić when asked about effort in the All Star Game. LA stood pat at the trade deadline,

Milwaukee (24-30): Giannis Antetokounmpo remained with the Bucks past the trade deadline, with both sides expected to re-assess his future this offseason after Milwaukee fielded interest from Golden State, Minnesota and others, but did not find a compelling trade partner. Antetokounmpo himself never officially demanded a trade, but reportedly sent a signal to the organization that it’s time to part ways. Even so, the team continued to explore ways to build around the star and signed Cam Thomasafter the Nets released the point guard following the deadline.

Minnesota (35-22): Mike Conley re-joined the Timberwolves in a rare move after the Wolves traded him to Chicago in a three-team deal with the Bulls and Pistons. Then, Chicago traded Conley to Charlotte as part of the Coby White trade, making Conley eligible to return to Minnesota, which wouldn’t have been the case if the Bulls released him. Anthony Edwards All Star Game MVP, scoring 32 points with nine rebounds and three assists while shooting 13-for-22 across the three games leading Team Stars. The Stars downed the World team to begin the tournament, setting up another upset over Team Stripes after the latter eliminated the World. Edwards and others received praise for reinvigorating the All Star Game, but he shied away from embracing a face of the league label, saying the NBA has Victor Wembanyamafor that.

New Orleans (16-42)/New York (36-21): The Knicks traded for Pelicans defensive stopper and New York native Jose Alvarado, who helps the Knicks blow out the Celtics, 111-89, in his debut. Alvarado scored 12 points with two steals and a block on 5-for-12 shooting in the win, and New York only gave up Dalen Terry and two second-round picks in the deal. New Orleans retained Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and the rest of their core past the deadline despite not owning a first-round pick this season due to the Dejounte Murray trade. The Knicks added to their depth this week by signing Jeremy Sochan, the 22-year-old wing who the Spurs released to find a new opportunity after he received limited playing time in San Antonio this season. He averaged 11.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 3.4 APG when he last received regular playing time in 2023-24. San Antonio had previously experimented with him playing point guard and his personality appears to already be fitting into New York’s locker room, where he joins fellow English native OG Anunoby.

.@JLEdwardsIII "Do you have relationships with the players here? Jeremy Sochan "I know Jordan Clarkson…he's from San Antonio…The rest is just during games, talking sh*t…OG's from England too, Josh supports a sh*t club Chelsea–– JLE "I'm a Tottenham fan Sochan "Aw hell no😆" pic.twitter.com/CNSDdCL7vt— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 19, 2026

Orlando (29-26): Franz Wagner (ankle) will remain out indefinitely, the Magic announced, after he missed 27 of the team’s last 31 games with the high ankle sprain. The Magic dominated the 148 minutes that Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs and Wagner played together earlier this season, but that only accounts for a small percentage of the team’s overall minutes. Orlando fell to 12-13 when Wagner didn't play before the All-Star break.

Philadelphia (30-26): Joel Embiid (shin) reported soreness during the All-Star break and missed the 76ers’ opening game of the second half against the Hawks and their fourth straight loss to the Pelicans. Embiid resembled his former self into 2026, averaging 29.9 PPG on 53.5% shooting. They won 12 of Embiid’s last 17 appearances, but lost 5 of 6 when he didn’t. The Sixers also avoided the luxury tax at the trade deadline by effectively salary dumping guard prospect Jared McCain to the Thunder, a move Daryl Moreydoubled-down in defending while also making bold comments about the openness of the East. Philadelphia is currently the six seed in the East, tied with the Heat above the play-in line.

Sacramento (12-46): Zach LaVine (finger) and Domantas Sabonis (meniscus) will undergo season-ending surgeries that’ll bolster the Kings’ chances at becoming the worst team in the league, a seat they’re currently in to begin the second half of the season. The Kings also stood pat at the deadline after the De’Andre Hunter trade, retaining DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, LaVine and Sabonis in what’s become one of the league’s most disastrous situations. Sacramento has lost 16 straight games. Sabonis will be re-evaluated prior to the start of 2026-27 training camp after attempting to comeback from his November meniscus tear without surgery.

Utah (18-39): Received a $500,000 fine for conduct detrimental to the league after the team removed Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. exited close games against the Magic and Heat in the fourth quarters, a decision many viewed as falling in line with the team’s desire to retain its first round pick they owe 1-8 protected to the Thunder. The Pacers, who traded their first to the Clippers 1-4 protected in the Ivica Zubac deal, received similar scrutiny and a $100,000 fine for holding Pascal Siakam and others out of their game against the Jazz in defiance of the Player Participation Policy. The league held that all three could have appeared in the game. Jackson Jr. will miss the rest of the season after doctors found and removed a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) growth in his left knee.

Anti-tanking measures became the biggest debate around All-Star weekend, with Adam Silver weighing measures as light as eliminating draft pick projections like the ones currently impacting Indiana and Utah, and as strong as eliminating the NBA Draft. The NBA announced anti-tanking rules for next season after All-Star weekend,with possible rules including only 1-4 or lottery protections being allowed in trades, the lottery standings freezing around the trade deadline, banning teams from picking top-four in consecutive years and more.