Is Anfernee Simons too valuable to the Celtics to be traded away?

During the offseason, the Celtics decided to break apart their 2024 championship team core, which included trading away Jrue Holiday.

Holiday was sent to the Trail Blazers as the Celtics looked to create more financial space, yet they were still able to get a quality return, as Anfernee Simons was sent to Boston in the deal.

It turned out to be more than just a salary dump for the Celtics, as Simons has been a key player for the team off the bench this season.

However, Simons is on an expiring contract, and with the trade deadline coming up, there's no guarantee he comes out on the other side still in Boston, as the Celtics could look to move his contract for a last-minute addition.

Is Anfernee Simons too valuable to the Celtics to be traded away?

It may seem like a no-brainer for the Celtics to trade Simons away, as they can dump his salary or get an upgrade at the center position.

Simons is at least for now not making that a certainty, as he's helped the Celtics through some rough stretches.

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The Celtics entered the game against the Heat on Thursday night with just one win in their last four games.

It's an abnormal drought for a team that has been dominant in the last couple of months, but Simons came to the rescue when the Celtics needed him most.

Payton Prithcard and Derrick White both had off-nights for the Celtics, which allowed Simons to step up off the bench.

He found a rhythm, scoring 39 points on 13/28 from the field and 7/16 from three-point range, and scored 18 points in the fourth-quarter to lead the Celtics to a comeback win.

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There's a noticeable trend when Simons scores, as the Celtics have a record of 16-5 this season when Simons scores 14+ points in a game.

Simons is also third on the team this season in plus-minus, with a +169 when he's on the court.

Here are some other notable Simons trends that have led to Celtics wins:

• Celtics are 11-0 this season when Simons scores 4+ 3P
• Celtics are 9-3 this season when Simons plays 27+ minutes

The Celtics may still look to move Simons, with his trade value right now probably at the highest level it's been this season, but the Celtics would be losing an irreplaceable scorer off their bench that has proved to be a difference maker for the team, amid the absence of Jayson Tatum.

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