Anfernee Simons received tributes from his former Boston Celtics teammates after he was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic. After Boston’s win over Dallas yesterday, Jaylen Brown spoke at length on what Simons meant to their team.
“Anfernee has all the respect in the world from me — it’s a business, but there’s a human aspect to it,” Brown told SB Nation’s Noa Dalzell. “But, like the rest of the Celtics, he emphasized that it’s the human being he’ll miss most.”
“He’s just a great, great person, great kid on and off the floor, just humble — I hope he gets everything that he’s looking for just because he just fit right in with his group of guys in our locker room… e 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.
By trading Simons for Vucevic, not only did the Boston Celtics beef up their frontcourt, but they also saved more than $20 million in luxury tax, putting them below the first apron. This means that they’re allowed to sign a free agent from the buyout market.
Boston Celtics News: Jaylen Brown wins January Eastern Conference Player of the Month
For the first time in his NBA career, Jaylen Brown has won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January 2026 after averaging 29.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per contest while leading the Boston Celtics to a 10-6 record.
“First one, ayyy. It doesn’t mean much to be honest with you. I feel like I had a better month in December, but who’s counting?” Brown said.
Brown continued his fine play against the Dallas Mavericks yesterday, as he produced a team-high 33 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists on 15-for-29 shooting from the field across 37 minutes of action in the 110-100 road victory.
