The Boston Celtics’ plans for guard Anfernee Simons and forward Georges Niang remain uncertain as trade talks have reportedly stalled heading into the new NBA season. Despite offseason roster moves that saw several players, including Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, traded away, the Celtics have not finalized any deals involving Simons or Niang as of late July 2025. According to trade insiders, the team appears prepared to retain both players unless a highly valuable offer emerges before the trade deadline.
Recent Celtics Offseason Activity and Its Impact on Roster Stability
This offseason, the Celtics executed a notable turnover by parting ways with many familiar faces. Alongside prominent trades involving Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet also departed, signaling a strategy focused on reshaping the roster’s core. A Celtics general manager reportedly referred to “the second apron” as a key reason behind these transactions, indicating financial or salary cap considerations influencing the moves. Yet, after the arrival of new acquisitions, questions arose about who might be next to leave, with Simons’ name frequently mentioned but currently not prioritized for trade.
Insiders Signal No Active Deals for Simons or Niang Yet
Brett Siegel, commenting on The Garden Report, pointed out that while the Celtics would be open to trade opportunities involving Anfernee Simons or Georges Niang, no concrete negotiations are currently underway. Siegel emphasized,
“The word I’m getting is that it doesn’t seem like that. There’s anything really brewing in terms of the Celtics making a trade involving Simons or Niang. It’s just kind of seeing what teams would be interested in taking that knowledge into the start of the season. And we’ll see where this team does at the trade deadline.”
This suggests Boston is taking a wait-and-see approach before deciding whether to move these players.
Potential for Trade Hinges on Value and Timing
Further remarks from Siegel reflected the Celtics’ cautious stance regarding trading these key role players.
“And I think that that’s really the avenue that the Celtics are operating with right now, where obviously if a trade came their way and it was exactly what they wanted and the type of value that they could get for Simons or Niang, they’d make the trade right now.”
This indicates the team’s willingness to listen to offers but underlines that departing players are not presently guaranteed, making Simons and Niang part of Boston’s immediate season plans unless a compelling deal appears.
Other Players Like Sam Hauser May Face Trade Risks
While Simons and Niang remain on Boston’s roster for now, speculation about other players persists. According to reports from The Ringer, Simons and Niang are the most recognized names linked with possible trades, but Sam Hauser could also be a candidate to be moved. This reflects continued uncertainty in the Celtics’ roster composition as the season approaches, highlighting a fluid situation where some players’ futures might shift depending on team needs and trade market dynamics.
Implications for the Celtics Heading Into the 2025-26 Season
The stalled trade talks concerning Georges Niang and Anfernee Simons suggest Boston aims to maintain roster continuity while remaining flexible for future opportunities. Keeping these experienced contributors could help stabilize the team as it integrates new talent following offseason changes. However, the possibility of deals before the trade deadline means Celtics management will likely assess their performance closely this season to determine next steps. How the front office balances retaining key players with potential trades will influence Boston’s competitiveness moving forward, making this an important storyline to watch.