NEW Boston Celtics Rumors: TRADE Anfernee Simons For Nikola Vucevic? SIGN Free Agent Center?

NEW Boston Celtics Rumors: TRADE Anfernee Simons For Nikola Vucevic? SIGN Free Agent Center?

Got a loaded Celtics Today episode for you guys today as a new free agent center target has emerged. Plus, are we going to trade Anthony Anthony Simons in order to shed more money and potentially get under the luxury tax this off seasonason? We’re going to discuss all that and more in just a moment. But first, I need your guys’ help. It’s the 4th of July and I’m already I’m working. I’m working. and a boost in the country’s economy on the 4th. But my boss has said I need to get 25 new subs on this video or else I will not get this holiday back later on this year. So don’t get me yelled at and don’t get my holiday Fourth of July cooked. And go down below and hit that subscribe button. All right, this tweet came out yesterday as moves are being made around the NBA and the Houston Rockets specifically are loading up this off seasonason. and they’ve gotten to a point where they just have too many players who deserve to be in rotations in this league and even some that they’re keeping on the roster that won’t see the light of day uh on the floor next season, but they did have to make a couple of cuts after making the Kevin Durant deal and doing all their work in the draft and whatnot. Kelly Eco, the athletic beat reporter for the Houston Rocket says the Rockets are waving veteran center Jacqu Landale according to sources and a handful of teams have already expressed interest upon clearing waiverss. Now, the there’s been no clear-cut report in whether or not the Boston Celtics have been zeroed in or see view Jac Londale as a free agent target this off seasonason, and they already are above the second apron. So, they’re not really in the business of spending a bunch of money right now. But, they are bringing in a couple of centers that, you know, are kind of fit the same mold as guys who haven’t seen the biggest overall opportunity in their careers, but, you know, they they fall in the same tier together. like Londale has played a couple of seasons with the Rockets and he’s been averaging over 10 minutes a night, but the guys you see on screen have not been having that same fate. Nimas Kada has not been a over 10 minutes a game guy outside of this season. Um, Luca Garza has only had like one season above 10 minutes a game his rookie year. And like Xavier Tilman, I don’t really want him much at the center position at 6’7. And Mari Williams is a rookie. So like you’re not exactly um too strong down in the front court or at that center spot specifically. And Landell is probably a guy who’s had more experience overall than any of them. He’s already played four seasons in the league. He’s out of Australia. And look, Celtics fans, they’re very very um accustomed to a bruis big bruising big man who could rebound the basketball and finish down low and be a physical force down like in the painted area in Aaron Baines way back when. And a guy who eventually extended his three-point range a little bit for the Celtics. That little crazy form like push shot, onelegged three ball. I know my guy producer Dylan next to me remembers Aaron Bane’s top of the key triples against his New York Knicks. Um, so this I feel like could be the same sort of idea here bringing in a Jock Land type for the low. Like he was on a signed a four-year $32 million extension with the Rockets, but ended up like that not having a lot of that guaranteed for the next few seasons. They ended up waving him. He was going to be due $8 million this season, but he’ll probably be seeing somewhere in the realm of a vet minimum contract. And it’s because he’s kind of put up vet minimum numbers for most of his career to this point. but he is, you know, only a 20 29 years old. Like he kind of fits the Celtics timeline a little bit. Uh and and who knows, he could maybe show Soya a couple of things with an expanded role this season. He’s been fairly available throughout his career. I’m sure most of the games missed on his plate have been via DNPs rather than, you know, extended time missed due to injury. But this is a guy who’s, you know, he shot it at a decent clip from three-point range. you know, he had actually the biggest volume of his career back in his rookie season, but ended up shooting, you know, a little bit more than half a three a game given the minutes that he was playing this past year at around 12 a night. So, like he was a guy who if if you play 20 minutes a night, he’s going to get up one or two, three threes a night. And he’ll if he can hit it at a 40% clip, that would be awesome for the seas who have lost all kind of floor space floor spacing ability there at that center spot. We’ll see if Luca Garza will be able to extend his range for the seas. But look, man, these guys are all giant question marks. Like, who knows? You don’t know what you’re going to get in a version of a 20-minute a game Jack London or a 20-minut a game Luca Garz or my goodness, a 20-minut a game Nemiah Kada as well. So, like there are situations where the Celtics could definitely um benefit by bringing in another center this season even if they’re not going to be all that competitive. They don’t want to just get get completely run off the floor in the front court. So, Landell could be another name that is out there on the free agency market that Boston should take a look at. could bruise around the rim and finish down low and rebound the basketball. Like just things that you’re going to need in order to win games at some point this season. So, should the Celtics shine sign Jock Londale? Yes or no? You let me know down in the comments section on whether or not you think this would be a good free agent target for the SE as he just got waved by Houston. Look, and he got waved by a really good Houston team, by the way. Like, they’re going to contend in the Western Conference, contend for an NBA championship. You could argue they are the second favorite to come out of the West after the reigning OKC Thunder. So from my point of view with this whole kind of philosophy when it comes to signing centers this offseason because you lose Luke Cornet and you lose Al Horford like the center position with the players that we we’ve popped up on screen before a lot super unproven and super inexperienced the whole group. So, like, how about we just try to find as many of those guys as possible? Like, this is if it feels like a dart board for the Seas here when you look at their center spot. Like, they they don’t really have any clear-cut idea as to what the future of that position is going to look like. And they don’t really have a lot of money to find out who that could be. So, these lowcost and lowrisk options that eventually could outplay their contracts, much like a Luke Cornet, albeit, you know, I don’t know if you’re going to find another 7 foot three, you know, long wingspan player like he is. and with the IQ that he plays with and passing ability, maybe you could mold him, mold some of these guys into that type of player, but um you know, you don’t know what you’re going to get from the Celtics center position over these next couple years. And you might as well just throw as many, you know, low lowrisk lowcost darts as possible and try to find somebody who’s going to outplay that contract. I think if you throw Garza, Landale, Kada, and Amari Williams in that pool together, one is going to emerge as a player who could actually be a rotation guy in this league. Now, before we move on to the next part of today’s show, wanted to go with this little like kind of intermission story right here as Chris B. Haynes is reporting that Damen Lillard is open to signing with a team this off seasonason under the right terms and conditions to continue rehabbing. He wants to continue rehabbing up in Portland. So, I guess maybe that, you know, pipe dream that I had about Jason Tatum and Damen Lillard kind of rehabbing together, doing a little rehab collab, a journey uh together to repair those torn Achilles, uh wouldn’t necessarily be the case. he would probably want to continue doing his rehab up in Portland, but teams are trying to sign him to a two-year deal. He’s receiving multiple uh ample interest, they say, but he’s in no rush to make a decision. So, we’ll keep you guys updated as that goes on. And hopefully the Celtics are a team that he does have some interest in potentially contending in the Eastern Conference on a low-risk, lowcost deal in 2627. And then the Celtics can even make more financial moves or, you know, flexible moves to, you know, improve themselves around the margins there to get right back into contention once JT is back. We’ll talk about that trade uh to to shed more money in just a moment, but get hooked up with this awesome championship t-shirt from 2024. I know this is what I think I’m think producer Dylan’s going to get himself one of these real real soon. And you can get at this link right here as well for like half off, even more than half off of what it was. Sale. It’s got those awesome looking caricatures of all the contributors last year, all the legends that raised a banner 18 in Boston. Get it at this link right here, chatports.com/champsale. That link’s in the comments section and description of today’s video. All right, let’s talk about it. Man, Anthony Simons, I’ve had some high hopes for him. Look, I want to see what he can do on the Celtics. Like, is there a way to unlock him as a player and and try to put him in a position where, you know, we’re in a winning culture now. Like, he’s been in a bad Portland team his entire career. Like eventually you got to kind of look look at the environment around them and and years after years of mediocre front office decisions and moves and ch changing coaches and changing you know front office members like it it really just doesn’t allow a player to reach his max potential. And now he comes to a welloiled organization in Boston where potentially he could shine but he is on an expiring contract. He’s making $27 million and the Selies don’t have a lot of flexibility to get more money off of their books to get closer and closer under the luxury tax. So like with not many, you know, opportunities to go out there and shed a big chunk of money, trading Anthony Simons might be the only way to do so. Especially when you consider Boston does not want to trade Sam Hower whatsoever. Remember this report that we heard at the beginning of the offseason where they said speculation surrounded Sam Hower’s future because remember his $10 million a year deal was going to cost $80 million when it came to the luxury tax when the penalties hit after the trade deadline next season. And he said, “But it’s not going to be difficult to find a taker for him. He would be sought after around the league. He’s got an awesome deal. Four years 45 million for a 43% three-point shooter. But they want to keep him. Like naturally they would want to keep a guy like that. and they see him as a, you know, a valuable rotation piece and one of the NBA’s best shooters at all. Like he was undrafted player, but now he’s become one of the league’s most knocked down three-point shooters. And the team agreed to, you know, acquire Anthony Simons, George Nang, but both players are candidates to be moved before they ever play a game for Boston. Now, more so some more cap spacing moves here or caps saving moves here. And you got JD who they accepted the team team option on. They could wave him just get rid of that money there. there. I don’t think it’s all guaranteed for a couple of days or maybe a week or so. Anthony Simons, uh, $27 million. Like, there’s an opportunity there to to get off a chunk of money. Who knows, uh, how many teams are really able to absorb, you know, 7 to10 million in a deal, but I will look out I’ll be on the lookout for some potential Anthony Simons trade destinations. Uh, George Nang, $8.2 million. Could he fit into a trade exception around the league? That’s possible as well. And then Sam Hower, like he’s there, $10 million, but the Celtics don’t really want to move him. Simon’s going to be the guy that we’re talking about at this point. And Brett Seagull of Clutch Points ended up bringing this up. He said, “After trading Lonzo Ball Saturday and continuing to field offers about Kobe White, the Chicago Bulls may need a raw a new point guard next to Josh Giddy, who they also have to resign at this point.” So, they’re also kind of moving along slowly this off seasonason as well as restricted free agency is not easy to navigate this summer. So, who the team is intends to resign. Obviously, the Bill the Bulls like to play fast and shoot a lot of threes, which would fit Simon’s style of play perfectly. More importantly, from Boston’s point of view, Nicole Vousvich is a veteran big man who would make a lot of sense at a one-year replacement for Chris Porzingis. Such a swap would immediately move the Celtics out of the first apron and give them a key veteran at center. So, maybe we’re not looking at a Jock Londale signing. We’re looking at bringing an actual vet in the building, a guy who you can trust to play 25 to 30 minutes a night each, you know, night this season. So, I I I would be all in on bringing Viv Vousvich in. Now, am I super happy about trading Drew Holiday in essentially for Nicole Vousvich? I’m not really that happy about that to be quite honest with you. Um but at this point like the Celtics focus has shifted not to 25 26 it’s focused to 26 27 and when Tatum comes back and what version of this team on this roster are we going to see then have as much money off of the books heading into 2026 and heading into even the 27 28 season as possible. So is there this new NBA that’s going to be two-year windows here like you you don’t really see yourself contending next season. So why pay out out of the ass in luxury tax for a team that’s not going to contend for a championship? That’s why I don’t even mind bringing in a guy like Nicole Vousvich who is not going to be a tank commander, but look, he’s a absolute cone on defense. He is not going to be a ceiling razor for this Boston Celtics team. He will probably raise the floor a little bit as you know that kind of offensive threat down low and he can shoot the outside shot as well, but he is 34 years old like cannot move at all on defense. I want to make that abundantly clear. He will not play any defense and really has not shown much of a willingness to either. But on the offensive end, he can fill up the stat sheet. No doubt about it. He’s an 18 point per game guy. Like 18 and 10. He walks in the gym and just walks out and and and he’s been shooting the ball at a really really high clip this past season. 40% from three on, you know, more than a few attempts a game. Like he’s he’s absolutely launching them. And you know what? He he can really do some good work down in the low post. He’s got the push shot. He’s got the in between game. Like he is a three-level scorer in a way. So, like you bring a guy in like this and you have an offensive compliment next to a Jaylen Brown, next to a Derrick White, next to a Peyton Pritchard, and this team can suddenly play five out again confidently. But this trade is just one for one. Nicole Yu Vousvich for Anthony Simons. Um, look, I would like to squeeze second round pick out of them if possible, but that you are the one sending away the more expensive um expiring salary. So that that is probably go maybe going to require a second round pick on Boston’s end. But I know Brad Stevens is a wizard and he didn’t have to give up any draft picks in order to get um Chris Porzingis and Drew Holidayiday’s contracts off of the books. I don’t think he’ll have to do this the I think he’ll have to do the same thing with Anthony Simons here. A one for one would work. And look there there’s a couple of factors that have to would have to go into this trade kind of going down like Chicago would probably have to move Kobe White before or maybe you know have something in place to move him after this trade. paid. He only makes $12.5 million. So, it is a little bit of a difficult asset to move at this point in the in in the league with how much guys get paid and getting value back for a guy like Kobe White. Um, but he plays a similar style as Anthony Simon. So, you probably have to move a guy like that before you end up making this deal sending Vuch away and, you know, kind of relinquishing your center depth in order to get a guy who you already have on the roster. But, in the sellers point of view, it’s all about dumping the salary now. Like, if you’re thinking this a bad ass a bad trade and they’re not getting the value back, it’s all about dumping salary right now. So like just get off as much money as you possibly can and you know you get a decent enough player on the offensive end in Nola Vousvich while you have no center on your own roster and then another move would follow this as well like the Celtics wouldn’t be completely under the luxury tax. So you’d find a spot a landing spot for George Nyang or somebody else at the uh at you know towards the trade deadline or something like that that somebody will be wanting George Nyang like trust me he can hit the outside shot at a 40% clip. Um you could find a trade partner for those type of guys in this league. No doubt about it. only makes $8 million and then once you make that deal for a second round pick and just get off the money completely, you’re now under the luxury tax and you are no longer a repeater. So, this is kind of like a stepping stone type of trade. What do you guys think? A for accept, D for decline. Let me know what you guys have to say down in the comments section if you would accept Nicoolous coming back for Anthony Simons in just a one for one deal. For those reasons that I’ve said, I would accept it. And I’m not saying for the encore talent like I would much rather have Anthony Simons if the Celtics were thinking about extending him then I would want Nicole Vousvich. But if we’re distoring salary and we really if the number one focus is getting under the luxury tax then I would do this trade because it gets you a whole heck of a lot closer. Make sure you are subscribed to the channel. That will do it for today’s edition of Celtics today by Chad Sports. Lock us in is number one spot for Celtics content all offseason long. We’ll see you guys in the next one and as always, let’s go SE’s.

Boston Celtics News & Rumors discussed on Celtics Today by Chat Sports after Day 4 of 2025 NBA Free Agency:
– Celtics Free Agency: Rockets waive Jock Landale as Celtics depth chart looks thin at center
– Damian Lillard Rumors: Damian Lillard free agency could see a signing this offseason, but Dame is taking his time while Celtics have been team of interest
– Boston Celtics Trade Rumors: Celtics front office might have to flip Anfernee Simons contract to get under luxury tax
– Anfernee Simons trade: NBA insider Brett Siegel breaks down Celtics trade idea with Bulls that sends Nikola Vucevic to Celtics for Anfernee Simons
– Celtics Today host Tyler Smith breaks down all the latest Celtics rumors and news during the 2025 Celtics Offseason on today’s Boston Celtics YouTube video.

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Celtics fans can get the 2024 NBA Championship shirts on SALE! chatsports.com/champsale

NBA Insider Kelly Iko On Celtics Free Agency Target:
“The Houston Rockets are waiving veteran center Jock Landale, source told
@TheAthletic. A handful of teams have expressed interest upon clearing waivers.”

Boston Celtics Depth Chart: Centers
– Luka Garza
– Neemias Queta
– Amari Williams
– Xavier Tillman Sr.

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Treat the comments section like TD Garden and answer today’s questions:
– Should the Celtics sign Jock Landale? Yes or No
– Would you make this Anfernee Simons Nikola Vucevic trade? Type ‘A’ for Accept, ‘D’ for Decline

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NBA Insider Brett Siegel (ClutchPoints) On NBATrade Rumors:
“After trading Lonzo Ball on Saturday and continuing to field calls about Coby White, the Chicago Bulls may need a new guard next to Josh Giddey, who the team intends to re-sign in free agency. The Bulls like to play fast and shoot a lot of threes, which would fit Simons’ style of play perfectly. More importantly, from Boston’s point of view, Nikola Vucevic is a veteran big man who would make a lot of sense as a one-year replacement for Porzingis. Such a swap would immediately move the Celtics out of the first apron and give them a key veteran at center.”

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Boston Celtics 2024-25 stat leaders:
– Jayson Tatum: 26.8 PPG
– Jayson Tatum: 8.7 RPG
– Jayson Tatum: 6.0 APG
– Jaylen Brown: 1.2 SPG
– Derrick White: 1.1 BPG

The Celtics may only have 18 rings…but we have A LOT more Boston Celtics YouTube videos to check out:
– 🚨Celtics Get a DOUBLE DOSE OF MAJOR NEWS On Damian Lillard & Al Horford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUr8w9dnoI4
– 🚨Celtics Make SNEAKY GOOD Signing In NBA Free Agency + MORE MOVES COMING?!: https://youtu.be/M4ra81F9mqc
– 🚨MAJOR Al Horford Free Agency UPDATE via NBA Insiders | Celtics Rumors:

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