The Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets have expressed interest in acquiring Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons ahead of training camp, according to NBA sources cited by Hoops Wire.
Boston landed Simons earlier in the offseason in a deal that sent veteran guard Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. League executives told Hoops Wire the Celtics have since explored moving the 26-year-old combo guard but have not secured a satisfactory offer and remain open to keeping him on the roster.
The Celtics are attempting to trim payroll after parting with Holiday, forward Kristaps Porziņģis (traded to the Atlanta Hawks) and center Al Horford (free agency). The club also expects six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum to miss most or all of the upcoming season because of injury, adding urgency to its roster decisions.
Philadelphia, looking to rebound from an injury-plagued campaign that sidelined stars Joel Embiid and Paul George, has been active in the guard market. Denver, which already sent forward Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Cam Johnson this summer, is seeking backcourt depth behind starters Jamal Murray and Christian Braun but faces considerable salary-cap pressure.
Sources added that the Milwaukee Bucks could also enter the bidding for Simons before camps open.
Simons, listed at 6 feet 3, averaged 19.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, 36.3 percent from three and 90.2 percent at the line in 70 games last season. The Florida native spent his first seven NBA seasons with Portland before the trade to Boston.
Source: Hoops Wire
