The Boston Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons as part of the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this summer. Simons spent the first seven years of his career with Portland, playing under head coach Chauncey Billups for the past four seasons since Billups took over in the 2021-22 campaign.
In a shock turn of events, on Thursday, October 23, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Billups had been arrested by the FBI for an alleged illegal gambling offense. Speaking to the media the following day, Simons shared his thoughts on the news and his relationship with his former coach.
“It hit me pretty tough for sure,” Simons said. “Just in shock. And obviously, I’ve got a great relationship with Chauncey. Even after the trade, he’s checking in on me, and I’m checking in on him. So we had a great relationship, and I think it’s an unfortunate situation for him to be in, especially for him and his family, all the media attention that’s coming in, the scrutiny. It’s just an unfortunate situation.”
Despite the surprising news, Simons knows he must stay fully focused on his role with the Celtics. As he enters a contract year, distractions are the last thing he can afford.
### Simons on His New Role with the Celtics
During the Celtics’ preseason games, Simons addressed his adjustment to a new role coming off the bench as part of the team’s second unit.
“I thought at first I was overthinking it,” Simons explained. “But once I got out there, I got a little more comfortable. Obviously, when you’ve been starting for how many years now, you feel, like, changing the kind of routine that you’ve built the past couple of years. But I think those early years coming off the bench really helped me and kind of understanding coming off the bench and the rhythm and just the preparation to come off the bench. But it was good.”
Simons has a great opportunity to establish himself as a key contributor within the Celtics rotation this season. However, he must adapt to the team’s offensive style and demonstrate he can at least be a neutral asset on defense.
### Could Simons Be a Trade Chip?
With Simons in the final year of his current contract and set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, there is speculation about his future with Boston. If Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens decides not to meet Simons’ contract demands, the guard could become a valuable trade asset as the deadline approaches.
High-scoring guards with experience leading an offense are often in demand around the league. Should Simons prove his worth as a rotation player over the coming months, Stevens will likely seek a significant return in any trade involving him.
### Looking Ahead
Celtics fans will get another look at what Simons can bring when Boston faces the New York Knicks on Friday, October 24. If the offensively talented guard continues to impress, the Celtics might consider extending his contract, despite ongoing roster considerations.
No matter what the future holds for Anfernee Simons, he is currently donning Celtics green. That means his full attention must remain on helping the team win games, regardless of any unexpected news making headlines elsewhere.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-anfernee-simons-reacts-to-chauncey-billups-arrest/
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