Sat Jan 10 00:30:00 UTC 2026: Headline: Celtics Eye Trade of Anfernee Simons to Avoid Luxury Tax, Target Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu

The Story:
The Boston Celtics, currently the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, are reportedly considering trading guard Anfernee Simons to alleviate their luxury tax burden. Despite Simons’ solid performance this season, averaging nearly 14 points per game and shooting 40 percent from three-point range, his $27.7 million salary makes him an attractive trade asset. ESPN insiders suggest the Chicago Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu as a potential replacement, citing his lower salary and comparable, if not slightly better, statistics.

Key Points:

  • The Celtics are exploring ways to reduce their luxury tax bill.
  • Anfernee Simons, despite his performance, is the most likely trade candidate due to his salary.
  • Ayo Dosunmu of the Chicago Bulls is identified as a potential replacement for Simons.
  • Dosunmu’s salary is significantly lower than Simons’, saving the Celtics approximately $20 million.
  • The Celtics possess four draft picks next year to sweeten any potential trade deal.

Critical Analysis:
The prior news headlines provide a wider context of the Celtics’ strategies approaching the 2026 trade deadline. The report that Brad Stevens is considering trading either Sam Hauser or Anfernee Simons highlights a commitment to fine-tuning the roster. Moreover, the reports of injuries to key Raptors players like Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram ahead of a game against the Celtics could influence Boston’s immediate decisions, potentially solidifying the need for depth that a player like Dosunmu could provide at a lower cost.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Celtics are prioritizing financial flexibility alongside maintaining competitiveness.
  • Ayo Dosunmu presents a cost-effective alternative to Anfernee Simons.
  • The trade deadline is likely to see the Celtics actively seeking to improve their roster while managing their budget.
  • The Celtics are looking for players who fit Joe Mazzulla’s system emphasizing strong point-of-attack defense and three-point shooting.
  • The Celtics control future draft picks providing them the opportunity to sweeten any potential trade deal.

Impact Analysis:

The potential trade of Anfernee Simons for Ayo Dosunmu signifies a strategic shift towards sustainable team building. By reducing their salary obligations, the Celtics can maintain long-term financial health and retain key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. This move could also influence other teams facing similar luxury tax issues, potentially creating a trend of trading productive players for cheaper alternatives. Further, acquiring Dosunmu could provide the Celtics with a valuable role player contributing to both defense and offense, potentially extending their championship window beyond the current season.

Read More

Related News: