Tuesday was a busy day for general managers across the NBA, working to assemble pieces that fit their teams’ immediate or long-term interests. For the Chicago Bulls, it meant putting an end to their 2021-22 season experiment by shipping Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics. In return, they acquired Anfernee Simons.
Advertisement
Jaylen Brown has been the Celtics’ main man this season in Jayson Tatum’s absence, and he has kept the Celtics in title conversations. They’re #3 in the East with a 23-18 record, and Vucevic’s addition will surely help them during the upcoming, most important stretch of the season.
How Brown will truly miss Simons. and is already lamenting his departure. Simons joined Boston earlier this season and played a crucial role in the rotation, averaging around 14.2 points per game. After the Celtics’ win over the Mavericks on Tuesday, Brown was asked about Simons moving to Illinois. There was an evident tinge of sadness in the guard’s answer.
“Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me — it’s a business, but there’s a human aspect to it. And since he’s been here, he’s contributed to winning. He’s won us some games,” Brown said.
The 2024 Finals MVP described Simons as a “great person” and someone who fit seamlessly into the Celtics’ locker room in his short stay in the franchise. “He could have had different thoughts and thought differently, and his energy could have been different,” continued Brown.
“Man, he was a great teammate and did everything he needed to do that we asked him and more, and contributed to winning. So Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me, and I hope he gets everything he deserves,” he added.
Jaylen Brown really gushed when asked by @ByJayKing about Anfernee Simons being traded:
“Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me — it’s a business, but there’s a human aspect to it. And since he’s been here, he’s contributed to winning. He’s won us some games. He’s… pic.twitter.com/YX6wAB48HM
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) February 4, 2026
Only a very few can escape the cruel business of NBA trades. And when there’s a player who genuinely loves a city or a franchise involved, the exit becomes even more heartbreaking.
Simons’ love affair with Boston
Simons simply adored Boston. Upon joining the Celtics, he described their fanbase as “something different.” He had stated how those at the TD Garden were always invested in the game, something he didn’t see in his former team, the Portland Trailblazers, or anywhere else.
“You’ve never experienced nothing like that nowhere else,” said Simons in the White Noise podcast, hosted by the Celtics’ Derrick White.
Simons spoke about how the whole stadium gets full and electric ahead of the National Anthem before a game. “We [are] playing here, like, every game is packed. And you’re gonna be able to feel the energy in the arena,” he added.
It’s sad, but it’s a reality Simons, Brown, and the rest of the Celtics will have to accept. Chicago is a great place to play ball, too. But it’s not Boston. For Simons, it never will be.
