Celtics Reportedly Still Exploring Anfernee Simons Trade After Missing on Dame Lillard

The Boston Celtics are continuing to look for trades involving guard Anfernee Simons, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

"League sources say Boston continues to explore its trade options with newly acquired Anfernee Simons, who became a Celtic as part of the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland," Stein reported Sunday.

The Celtics reportedly made a contract offer to Damian Lillard in free agency before the star point guard signed a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Boston was unable to land Lillard despite reported recruiting efforts from superstar Jayson Tatum.

Meanwhile, the Celtics added Simons by trading Holiday to the Trail Blazers.

Simons has steadily blossomed offensively in Portland, averaging 20.7 points per game over the past three seasons combined.

He's coming off a 2024-25 campaign in which he recorded 19.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from three-point territory.

Simons is set to enter the final season of a four-year, $100 million extension that he signed with Portland in 2022. He'll earn roughly $27.7 million next season before hitting unrestricted free agency during the 2026 offseason.

If the Celtics aren't willing to make a long-term commitment to Simons, they could move him before the 2025-26 regular season begins.