The Boston Celtics have won four straight games, and Anfernee Simons has played a key role in each win. Simons started slowly in Boston but appears to be finding his footing, in part because the Celtics are learning how best to utilize his offensive skill set. He's the type of player who needs minutes to find his rhythm, as he had during his time with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Boston's most recent 115-101 win over the Chicago Bulls was a prime example of that. Simons finished the first half with a goose egg, missing all three of his field goal attempts. He drastically turned things around in the second half, scoring 27 points while shooting 9-of-13 from the field and 8-of-11 from deep.
Celtics unlocking Blazers' version of Anfernee Simons
Blazers fans know that streaky shooting all too well. If Simons is on your team, you must see things through, living with the highs and lows. He can flip a switch at any time throughout the course of a game and is at his best when he has the minutes and opportunity to find that rhythm.
Earlier in the season, Simons struggled in his new sixth-man role. If he didn't have it from the start, head coach Joe Mazzulla would give him a relatively short leash, returning to more trusted backcourt options in Payton Pritchard and Derrick White. Now, Simons and Boston are becoming more comfortable and familiar with each other. It's become a key reason they sit 2nd in the Eastern Conference despite Jayson Tatum's absence.
It could cause them to reevaluate options leading up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Simons has been a trade candidate ever since coming over to Boston in the offseason Jrue Holiday swap, but his fate could be determined by which direction they take the roster.
The Celtics are in a unique position. You could make a case for them to be buyers to contend in the weakened East or sellers to duck the luxury tax, which they are currently $12.1 million over but have budgeted for.
Another thing to consider is the dwindling market for offensive-minded guards in today's NBA. Just look at the Trae Young situation, where it's unclear if Atlanta would have to attach draft capital to incentivize a team to take on his salary at this point.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently named the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets as two potential landing spots for Simons, but also adds that the Celtics aren't going to add draft capital themselves. If there isn't a market out there, Boston may be better off holding onto Simons with the way he's been playing as of late.
They're finally unlocking the version of Simons who was arguably the best player on the Blazers just last year.