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Anfernee Simons‘ Potential Role with the Boston Celtics: On-Ball Creator or Off-Ball Threat?
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Following the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, Anfernee Simons now finds himself in Boston, leaving many to wonder: what will his role be with the Celtics? As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, analysts are dissecting Simons’ game to project how he’ll fit into coach Joe Mazzulla’s system [[1]].
Simons’ Offensive Versatility: A Key Asset for Boston
Simons brings a multifaceted offensive game to the Celtics. He has demonstrated the ability to create his own shot,a skill that distinguishes him from Holiday,who relied more on assists. According to CleaningTheGlass.com,only 38% of simons’ field goals were assisted last season,a rate similar to stars like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Edwards. In contrast, holiday was assisted on 65% of his made shots [[2]].
This self-creation ability suggests that Simons will likely handle the ball more, especially with Jayson Tatum potentially missing games. He could even lead the team in pull-up three-point attempts.
Did You Know? Simons attempted almost five pull-up three-pointers per game last season.
Pick-and-Roll Potential and Playmaking
Simons’ skill set extends beyond isolation scoring. He can also be a playmaker in pick-and-roll situations.While not an elite passer, he has shown improvement in reading defenses and making timely passes. The Celtics could utilize him to create opportunities for teammates, especially if they add a vertical threat to enhance their paint attack.
Hear’s a look at how Simons’ stats compare to Holiday’s in key offensive categories:
| Statistic | Anfernee Simons | Jrue Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted Field Goals | 38% | 65% |
| Pull-Up 3-Point Attempts Per Game |
|