Celtics Trade Pitch Lands Them Versatile Forwards From East Team
The Boston Celtics have never been shy about reshaping their roster. This summer has already been one of their most turbulent in recent memory, with Jayson Tatum rehabbing an Achilles injury and the front office balancing luxury tax constraints against the need to remain competitive.
One name now at the center of trade chatter? Anfernee Simons. His scoring talent is undeniable, but so is the $25 million annual salary attached to his deal. For a team roughly $12 million away from clearing the luxury tax, moving Simons might be more about flexibility than fit.
That’s where a proposal from NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg comes in — sending Simons to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for three younger, cost-controlled players.
The Framework
Boston Celtics receive: Ayo Dosunmu, Jalen Smith, Dalen Terry
Chicago Bulls receive: Anfernee Simons
Simons Out, Dosunmu In
Simons is a proven scorer, but with Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard all poised for significant roles, his value in Boston looks redundant. His contract also makes him harder to justify on a tax-heavy roster.
Enter Ayo Dosunmu. At just 25, Dosunmu has grown into one of Chicago’s most dependable young guards. He defends multiple positions, makes smart decisions, and provides steady playmaking — a perfect glue guy for a Celtics team that will need stability while Tatum recovers.
As Forsberg explained: “Dosunmu better fits the mold of a long-term piece” in Boston’s system.
The Boston Celtics are expected to start Payton Pritchard and have Anfernee Simons come off the bench, per @GrantAfseth
“The Boston Celtics appear poised to elevate Payton Pritchard into the starting lineup while using Anfernee Simons as a high-scoring option off the bench for… pic.twitter.com/M6FuG6MELu
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 14, 2025
Smith and Terry: Depth for the Celtics
The second piece of this deal is frontcourt insurance. Jalen Smith, still only 25, brings size and athleticism to Boston’s rotation. While his development has been uneven, he’s under contract for two more years on a team-friendly deal, making him a low-risk addition.
Then there’s Dalen Terry, who at 22 remains very much a project. His defensive tools are intriguing, but his offensive game needs work. Still, he could be a developmental swing for Boston — or a trade chip they could reroute for cap relief if needed.
Why the Bulls Might Do It
Chicago continues to hover in NBA limbo, somewhere between rebuilding and chasing the play-in. Adding Simons would give them a dynamic scoring option to pair with Josh Giddey in the backcourt.
As Forsberg put it: “Since no one ever knows what exactly the Bulls are doing, we’re calling them to see if they think Simons can help in their annual quest to land a play-in berth.”
Financially, the Bulls could absorb Simons without issue. For a team looking to add more scoring punch, the move could be appealing.
The Verdict for the Celtics
For Boston, this trade is less about talent than balance. Moving Simons’ $25 million deal for three smaller salaries would trim about $6 million, pushing them closer to slipping under the tax line. Dosunmu provides immediate value with his defense and versatility, while Smith and Terry offer upside at little risk.
The Celtics would be sacrificing a proven scorer, but they’d be gaining flexibility — the kind of move that gives Brad Stevens options later in the season. For a franchise juggling health, cap pressure, and championship aspirations, that flexibility might prove more valuable than Simons’ buckets.
Celtics’ Forward Shares Positive Jayson Tatum Update
Jayson Tatum‘s recovery from an Achilles tendon tear during the Eastern Conference semifinals appears to be going well.
The Boston Celtics superstar has been seen walking without a boot in recent weeks and has also been uploading numerous videos from his work in the weight room.
During a recent appearance on the “Celtics Talk” podcast, Celtics forward Jordan Walsh provided a positive update on the All-Star’s recovery.
“We’ve seen him so often,” Walsh said. “I’ve seen him from when he messed up his Achilles to now, and it’s a big difference. He’s moving around way better. So, he’s progressing well. I’m definitely happy to see him getting back healthy. To see him in the gym definitely sets a precedent for everybody else. If a guy is hurt and trying to get back, then you can do the same thing. Like, you’re perfectly healthy, you should be doing the same thing.”
Tatum is expected to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season. Achilles injuries have a long and difficult road to being back on the court. Fortunately for Tatum, he underwent surgery less than 24 hours after suffering the injury, and that should bode well for his chances of reaching the All-NBA level he was playing at before getting hurt.
Celtics’ Derrick White Excited Over New Additions
Tatum’s injury certainly had a knock-on effect. Brad Stevens has made multiple trades this summer, as he began a retooling process in Boston. As such, there are several new faces on the roster, with most of them being inexperienced.
In a recent episode of the “White Noise” podcast, Derrick White revealed that Boston’s new additions are already in the city and working on their games.
“Obviously, we’ve got training camp and everything, and I’ve heard everybody is already out there (in Boston) pretty much, so they’re already probably getting a start,” White said. “But then we’re just hooping. We’ve got a bunch of competitors.”
The Celtics will look very different next season, including the style of basketball they play. Joe Mazzulla will have his work cut out if he wants the Celtics to remain competitive despite the recent talent drain.
Derrick White Expecting Celtics To Adjust Systems
During the same podcast episode, White admitted that he expects the Celtics to approach things differently in the upcoming campaign. He noted how the roster is younger, and a lot of the championship roster has now left the franchise.
“It’s definitely going to be different. It has to be,” White explained. “We lost KP, Jrue, Luke, and obviously JT being out. So, you lose three out of five starters. And even Al. So it’s definitely going to change. We’re a younger team.”
The Celtics have gotten younger during the offseason. Therefore, it’s fair to expect them to operate at a higher tempo next season, especially after the Indiana Pacers had such great success with their breakneck pace this past season.
There’s also a chance Mazzulla moves away from the three-point-heavy offense he’s implemented in recent years. Boston’s roster boasts multiple slashers now, and a more downhill approach could be a smart pivot.
No matter what, the Celtics will be looking for development from the new additions, as Stevens decides who stays and who goes, as he continues to try to build another contending roster.
