Celtics' trade plans include $27 million guard

The Boston Celtics aren't a given to be active at the trade deadline.

After all, part of their hope is that a Jayson Tatum return from injury feels like a brilliant in-season addition.

But with Tatum's Achilles recovery still uncertain, the Celtics have to decide what to do before the trade deadline in a week.

They've put themselves in contention in the Eastern Conference, but what approach do they take now?

MORE: Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel set all-time NBA record as Duke rookie foes

ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, in a new article on Friday, single out Anfernee Simons as the logical guy to be traded away.

Simons is on a $27 million expiring contract, making him a logical candidate to match salaries in some sort of trade.

The ESPN duo goes on to share that the Celtics would likely be seeking frontcourt help in a deal, but that they aren't likely to go for the biggest names that could be available, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Where does that leave Boston? It seems to be kind of a middle ground.

MORE: Cavs' Nae'Qwan Tomlin didn't even play high school basketball

They're waiting on Tatum, and there's caution there.

They've also found Simons in recent weeks to continue to be useful at a variety of times, so he isn't just a must-trade.

The Celtics may wind up just playing this out and seeing what happens. But if something presents itself, that money on Simons' contract could be key.

More NBA news:

• Lakers have the weirdest LeBron-Luka problem
• 76ers facing a $149 million Joel Embiid contract nightmare
• Donovan Mitchell tied a LeBron James record with the Cavs
• How Dillon Brooks is much more than a LeBron hater
• Charles Barkley rips NBC and Michael Jordan
• Trae Young forced to face harsh truth after Hawks trade to Wizards