After seven seasons with the Trail Blazers, Simons was traded to Boston in June. The high-scoring guard joins a 2025-26 Celtics team that is anxious for points production after losing Jayson Tatum (injury), Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis (trades). Simons is coming off a 2024-25 season in which his shot attempts, minutes, field goal percentage, three-point accuracy and free throw percentage all dipped slightly versus the prior season. With Boston, the veteran guard will probably return to or exceed the career-high 18.2 field goal attempts he hoisted in 2023-24. Simons played in 70 games last year, a solid sign after the guard struggled with ankle and knee issues the previous season. The bulk of Boston's backcourt minutes will go to three-combo guards: Simons, Derrick White, and Sixth Man Award winner Payton Pritchard. White should be the alpha dog of the group, with Pritchard sticking to his bench role. With fellow starters White and Jaylen Brown receiving most of the defense's attention, expect Simons to enjoy more catch-and-shoot opportunities than he had in Portland. On bad Trail Blazers teams, Simons was often stuck having to create his own shot. We may see both more volume and improved accuracy from Simons in 2025-26.
