Billy HeyenWed, November 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM UTC·1 min readCeltics trade pitch lands 6-foot-11 playmaker for Anfernee Simons, multiple picks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When the Boston Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons in the offseason, there was some speculation he may not end up being around for very long.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs this season goes on, Simons' name will likely show up in plenty of trade rumors.
That includes a new trade suggestion by Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley.
Buckley writes that the Celtics could trade Simons, a 2026 2nd-round pick and a 2027 1st-round pick (top-5 protected) to the Brooklyn Nets.
In return, Boston would get Nic Claxton.
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Claxton, at 6-foot-11, would help inside after the Celtics let both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford go in the offseason.
"While by no means a behemoth big man (6'11", 215 lbs), (Claxton) fits into the rim-running archetype with impressive defensive mobility for the role," Buckley writes. "He's also successfully dabbled in more of an offensive playmaking role this season (career-high 4.3 assists against just 1.5 turnovers), perhaps convincing would-be suitors that he can offer more on that end than just interior scoring."
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Claxton is 26 years old and under contract through the end of the 2027-28 season. That would make this extra appealing for Boston.
The Celtics would both get a chance to see what Claxton can do for their team this season, but they'd also still have him around to play center when Jayson Tatum returns from his torn Achilles.
Brooklyn could choose it wants a package from elsewhere and not one centered around Simons, but if the Nets like Simons enough, this is a deal Boston could pull off.
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