Overview

• Team president Brad Stevens lauded Simons as an electric scorer and priority on opponents’ scouting reports, underscoring his offensive value.
• Head coach Joe Mazzulla dismissed comparisons to Payton Pritchard and said lineup choices will be dictated by matchups rather than a fixed hierarchy.
• Simons embraced Boston’s culture and said winning is his priority, adding that improving on defense is “a matter of if I want to do it or not.”
• Coaches and coverage highlighted Simons’s defensive track record, including one of last season’s worst defensive ratings, as a key area for growth.
• With a high expiring salary near $27–28 million, Simons remains a practical trade candidate as Boston manages tax constraints, though the team may wait for the right return.