Overview

• Simons carries one year and $26 million remaining on his expiring contract, placing Boston just below the NBA’s second luxury-tax apron.
• The Celtics are weighing proposals that would send Simons to Brooklyn for center Nic Claxton or to Memphis for two-time champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
• Boston plans to delay major deals until Simons adapts to its system to increase his trade value.
• Earlier offseason trades of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and the departures of Luke Kornet and Al Horford helped clear space under the second apron.
• Boston’s leadership is prioritizing short-term competitiveness within tighter salary constraints.