Former Michigan State and NBA player Paul Davis was ejected from the Breslin Center after vocally criticizing officials from the stands during the 12th-ranked Spartans’ victory over USC.
Nebraska basketball’s stunning rise: Huskers crack top 10 for first time since 1966
Yet the administration in Lincoln stuck by Fred Hoiberg, and the patience finally is paying off.
How to watch No. 3 Iowa State vs. Baylor: TV, live stream info, storylines for Wednesday’s game
The Cyclones will take their unbeaten record to Waco, Texas.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss plans to return, pending NCAA ruling on eligibility
Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss plans to return to school next season if the NCAA approves his request for an additional year of eligibility.
Strong ground games propel No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon to CFP semifinal matchup at Peach Bowl
Oregon’s offense looks remarkably similar to the Hoosiers.
Mazzulla: Josh McDaniels drew up ‘pre-snap motion' plays for Celtics
Mazzulla: Josh McDaniels drew up ‘pre-snap motion' plays for Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Joe Mazzulla will do anything to find an edge, and that includes taking best practices from other sports.
So, when members of the New England Patriots came to TD Garden last month to take in a Boston Celtics game, Mazzulla couldn’t let them leave without picking a few brains.
During his weekly interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand, the Celtics head coach revealed that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spent some time with his team prior to a Dec. 19 game against the Miami Heat — and dove into some Xs and Os for Mazzulla’s benefit.
“He came to a game a couple of weeks ago, and he actually drew up a couple of pre-snap motion plays for us, for me to kind of visualize and see how we could use them as sets,” Mazzulla said Tuesday. “But his mind is amazing.”
How exactly can McDaniels’ pre-snap motion plays help Mazzulla coach his basketball team?
“It can definitely translate (to basketball),” Mazzulla responded. “(McDaniels) was kind of explaining some of the stuff that they do. Did you guys see the answer Kirk Cousins gave about how the quarterback position has changed, and how reads have changed? I mean, it’s very similar. That’s kind of where basketball is as well.
“There’s obviously game plans and details that you have to develop, but over the course of the game, defenses, offenses, spacing, coverages — things are changing so much that you have to be able to adjust on the fly.”
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins recently went viral for the lengthy dissertation he gave during a press conference on how to read coverages, and the chess match that goes on between QBs and defenses prior to the snap.
As Mazzulla explained, there are lessons to be taken from that pre-snap chess match that directly apply to basketball.
“I think that it’s the pre-snap stuff and the ability to recognize whether they’re disguising man or zone (coverage) and how you go about making the defense tell that, so you know beforehand, and then having to read in real-time — that’s right where basketball is,” Mazzulla added.
Mazzulla’s connection with the Patriots goes way back — he’s attended multiple training camp practices at Gillette Stadium and made a trip to Foxboro this past August to chat with head coach Mike Vrabel. It appears that connection remains very strong, as Mazzulla leaves no stone unturned in his never-ending quest for improvement.
Why the NCAA is unwilling to fight to keep pros out of college basketball
Is the risk of exposing itself to fresh legal challenges really the main reason for the NCAA's hesitance to try to enforce stricter rules? Or might the NCAA have an ulterior motive?
How to watch No. 4 UConn vs. Providence: TV, live stream info, storylines for Wednesday’s game
The Huskies will be seeking to extend a 10-game winning streak and perfect record in the Big East.
How to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings: TV/live stream info for tonight's game
Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday action features an exciting NBA doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. First, at 8:00 PM ET, it’s the Miami Heat vs Minnesota Timberwolves. Then, at 11:00 PM ET, the Dallas Mavericks take on the Sacramento Kings.
See below for additional information on how to watch both games and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Click here to sign up for Peacock!
Dallas Mavericks:
The Mavericks defeated the Houston Rockets 110-104 on Saturday night, snapping their four-game losing streak. Anthony Davis finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, Max Christie had 24 points, and Brandon Williams added 15 off the bench.
Despite the win, the Mavericks have lost four of their last five games and are currently 11th in the Western Conference.
Cooper Flagg scored just 10 points in Saturday's win, tied for his second-lowest total this season.
Dallas has struggled on the road, losing its last seven away games. The Mavericks look to change that tonight in Sacramento.
Sacramento Kings:
At 8-28, the Sacramento Kings have the second-worst record in the Western Conference and are on track to miss the playoffs for the 19th time in the last 20 seasons.
The Kings have lost their last five straight games, most recently falling 115-98 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
RELATED:NBA Trade Rumors 2025-26 - Trae Young’s agents working with Hawks to find trade for point guard
How to watch Dallas Mavericks vs Sacramento Kings:
- When: Tonight, Tuesday, January 6
- Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
- Time: 11:00 PM ET
- TV: NBC
- Live Stream:Peacock
Fantasy managers expected big things from Maxey, and he has delivered thus far.
Raphielle JohnsonWhat other NBA games are on tonight?
With the holidays in the rearview mirror, the Week 12 NBA schedule is more evenly spread out.
How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
Snoop Dogg hilariously keeps pace with furious Steve Kerr's ejection-producing rant
In a warm-up for his role in the upcoming Winter Olympics, Snoop Dogg was given a microphone during the second half of the NBA game between the Golden State Warriors and the Clippers on Monday night at the Intuit Dome.
Can't wait for those Olympics! Snoop hilariously sizzled when Warriors coach Steve Kerr stormed the court in the fourth quarter of the Clippers' 103-102 victory.
"The Arizona Wildcat done came out of him. Look at him!" Snoop said, alluding to Kerr's college team. "Aw, Rawwwr, rawwwr, rawwwr!"
Kerr was hit with two technical fouls in less than a minute. He nearly got one with 8:44 to play when Warriors guard Stephen Curry made a shot that appeared to be a continuation after a foul, but the officials nullified the basket.
Less than a minute later, Kerr found a new level of vehemence after the Clippers' John Collins wasn’t called for goaltending on a shot by Gary Payton II. The four-time NBA championship coach flew into a rage, aggressively gesturing at officials and screaming.
ok.. it was worth having Snoop on the broadcast just to hear him call this Steve Kerr crash out 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/FJzXxqnal9
— outbreezy (@outbreezyWC) January 6, 2026
Kerr picked up the two technicals — his first in nearly four seasons — and was held back by Payton and assistant coaches before exiting to the locker room.
Snoop Dogg, who had joined regular Peacock/NBC announcers Reggie Miller and Terry Gannon for the second half, rose to the occasion, his commentary keeping pace with Kerr's antics.
"Oh, Steve gonna get thrown out! Get him out of there. Get him out of there! Back him up!" Snoop barked.
All Miller and Gannon could do was laugh as Snoop continued, referencing the location of the Intuit Dome and Kerr's Southern California ties: "Steve back in Inglewood right now. Inglewooood!!! Get him, Steve! You in Inglewood, Steve!"
Read more:How Snoop Dogg became America's sweetheart at the Paris Olympics
Snoop will join NBC Olympics host Mike Tirico in Italy in February, riffing on stories that unfold at the Winter Games the way he did at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. The NBA game was an indication he'll again be up to the task.
“We are excited to have Snoop bring his unique energy and passion to our NBA coverage,” NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood said in a statement. “It will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch Snoop, Reggie and Terry talk hoops with a side order of fun.”
Read more:'Conspiracy theories': Clippers' Kawhi Leonard denies that his endorsement deal was cheating
Snoop said in the release that his debut as an NBA game broadcaster "is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to bring a fresh vibe to the analysis.”
For the record, official Brian Forte acknowledged after the game that goaltending should have been called against Collins. Curry told reporters that he appreciated his coach's passion.
"Two crazy calls in a row that you feel like can dictate the momentum of the game, it doesn’t mean a win or a loss, it just dictates the momentum," Curry said. "I love that fired up Steve, for sure. Somebody had to do it.”
Visiting Los Angeles has been emotional for Kerr since the Pacific Palisades wildfire a year ago destroyed his childhood home, which his family bought in 1969. His mother, 90-year-old Ann Kerr, still lived in the house, located near Rivas Canyon, and was evacuated safely.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Fantasy Basketball Stock Up Stock Down: VJ Edgecombe on a roll
Welcome to 2026! From game-winners to 50-point games, the new calendar has already provided some notable moments around the NBA.
Let’s take a look at some guys who are hoping to stay hot to begin the year, and others who may want to rewind time.
→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock, as the Heat take on the Timberwolves at 8 p.m. ET before the Mavericks and Kings square off at 11 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.
Fantasy managers expected big things from Maxey, and he has delivered thus far.
STOCK UP
VJ Edgecombe — PG/SG, 76ers
VJ Edgecombe! I could end this whole section after the first sentence, and it would probably be comprehensible enough to those who play fantasy basketball or follow the NBA closely. But I’ll go a bit deeper — the rookie guard had gone for 23 or more points in three consecutive games, tallied 10 steals, and shot 12-of-25 from beyond the arc before Tuesday’s overtime loss to the Nuggets, in which he added five more triples, four stocks, and nearly messed around and got a triple-double. Edgecombe has consistently been one of the best-performing rookies all season, putting up impressive numbers on a strong team featuring a plethora of productive, proven players. He is rostered in only 63 percent of Yahoo! Fantasy basketball leagues. Adding him, if available, would seem like a wise decision for a fantasy manager to make.
Norman Powell — SG/SF, Heat
Several Heat players have been written about here in the "Stock Up, Stock Down" articles; several in a positive light. And perhaps none have been as worthy of praise as Norman Powell, who has consistently been the go-to guy for Miami amidst several injuries. His latest 34-point outing came on the heels of a 36-point outburst two games prior, putting the first-year Heat guard at 30.3 points and 6.0 three-pointers per game in the three games since the calendar flipped to 2026. But even before the recent three appearances, Powell concluded 2025 having notched 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists over a four-game stretch — if he can consistently be productive in non-scoring areas, he’ll unlock another level as it relates to fantasy basketball
Matas Buzelis — SF/PF, Bulls
Whether it’s been wins and losses or players’ individual production, the Bulls’ 2025-26 season thus far has been “unpredictable.” Amidst their latest rollercoaster ride, however, Buzelis has joined Josh Giddey and Nikola Vucevic as one of the more reliable on-court producers on the Chicago roster. The third-year forward has flirted with double-doubles in recent games and has scored in double figures in 9 of his last 10 appearances — four being 20-plus-point outings. His scoring has been complemented by consistent rebounding and contributions from beyond the arc, and he has shown potential as a shot blocker, leading to 18.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 three-pointers and 1.3 blocks per game over the last 10 outings. This production just doesn’t feel like a flash in the pan. I very much believe the best is yet to come.
MATAS CAUGHT A BODY @BuzelisMatas | @CHSN__pic.twitter.com/hjhDDDbgwF
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 3, 2026
STOCK DOWN
Ausar Thompson — SG/SF/PF, Pistons
Thompson is by no means a “scorer,” as evidenced by his scoring averages over the first three years of his career (8.8, 10.1, and 11.4). Yet, even his recent lack of scoring production on a team currently down key contributors has come as a bit of a surprise. The former fifth-overall pick of the 2023 draft has failed to reach double figures in points and in four of the past six games, which comes directly on the heels of a three-game stretch in which he averaged 17.0 per game. The shooting volume, more than anything else, seems to be the cause. He’s remained good at collecting stocks over this stretch. However, without points, minimal impact from beyond the arc, and not many counting stats as a passer, it’s hard to be confident about Thompson’s fantasy basketball trajectory into the second half of the fantasy season.
Cam Spencer — PG/SG, Grizzlies
After scoring in double digits in 14 consecutive games, a span in which Spencer mostly came off the bench and averaged 16.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.4 three-pointers, he’s tallying 6.3 points and has made only two three-pointers over his past four appearances. The slump is mostly a result of poor shooting (33.0/ 1.4/ 100.0 splits), both inside and outside the arc. His minutes have remained consistent, as has his ability to impact the game as a passer — 6.5 assists per game over this same stretch. Yet, the scoring and three-point shooting add a lot to Spencer’s appeal as a fantasy basketball player. Regaining his rhythm as a scorer would boost his stock back up.
Bones Hyland — PG, Timberwolves
Four appearances with the Wolves last season didn’t amount to much for Hyland, who averaged only 4.3 minutes per game. Not much was expected of him heading into his fifth NBA season, which made his December of 2025 so unique — he notched six games with double-digit points and five with at least four assists. His minutes and role in January are still there, averaging 16 minutes per game over his last three, but he’s totaled only 11 points and nine assists over that span while shooting 4-of-18 from the floor and tallying only one assist. Hyland could benefit from a strong outing in the near future to remain a reliable option off the bench for the Wolves. But for now, his stock is a bit down compared to where it was a month ago.
How to watch Miami Heat vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: TV/live stream info for tonight's game
Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday action features an exciting NBA doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. First, at 8:00 PM ET, the Miami Heat head to Target Center to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Then, at 11:00 PM ET, the Dallas Mavericks take on the Sacramento Kings.
See below for additional information on how to watch both games and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Click here to sign up for Peacock!
Miami Heat:
The Miami Heat defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 125-106 on Sunday, earning their fifth victory in their last six games. Norman Powell led the way for the Heat with 34 points, Nikola Jovic scored 19 off the bench, while Pelle Larsson and Kel'el Ware each scored 16. Ware also had 12 boards in the win.
All-Star guard Tyler Herro has missed the last 11 games with a toe injury, but several players have stepped up in his absence. Powell currently leads the Heat with 24.4 points per game and is on pace for career highs in scoring, rebounding (3.8 rpg), assists (2.7 apg), and steals (1.3 spg). Three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo is third on the team in scoring (17.3 ppg).
Minnesota Timberwolves:
The Timberwolves started the season 10-8 and are 13-5 in the last 18 games, most recently defeating Washington 141-115 on Sunday.
Anthony Edwards scored 35 points, Julius Randle added 22, and Rudy Gobert finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Edwards is on pace to lead Minnesota in scoring for the fourth consecutive season and is currently seventh in the league in scoring with 29.4 points per game.
Randle and Gobert have also been a big part of the Timberwolves' success. Randle is averaging 22.3 ppg — an increase from last season's 18.7 ppg. He is second on the team in scoring and leads the Heat in assists (5.7 apg). Gobert leads Minnesota in blocks (1.7 bpg) and rebounds (11.1 rpg)
RELATED:NBA Trade Rumors 2025-26 - Trae Young’s agents working with Hawks to find trade for point guard
How to watch Miami Heat vs Minnesota Timberwolves:
- When: Tonight, Tuesday, January 6
- Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- TV: NBC
- Live Stream:Peacock
Fantasy managers expected big things from Maxey, and he has delivered thus far.
What other NBA games are on tonight?
- Dallas Mavericks vs Sacramento Kings - 11:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock
With the holidays in the rearview mirror, the Week 12 NBA schedule is more evenly spread out.
How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
Red Wings Reassign Nate Danielson To AHL Grand Rapids
The Detroit Red Wings announced Tuesday morning that the 21-year-old Nate Danielson has been reassigned to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. The move comes after Danielson was given his first real look at the NHL level, an opportunity that featured both encouraging highs and inevitable growing pains.
Danielson, the ninth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, made an immediate impression when he arrived in Detroit. He recorded a goal and three assists for four points in his first nine NHL games, showing flashes of the skill and poise that made him such a high draft selection. As the season went on, however, the production slowed. Danielson managed just three points over his final 19 games and was riding an 11-game point drought at the time of his demotion.
With the Red Wings’ roster tightening and ice time becoming harder to come by, the decision to send Danielson back to Grand Rapids was not entirely unexpected. Detroit recently recalled John Leonard, who has been a difference maker whenever he has been in the lineup this season. The added depth up front made it difficult for Danielson to find consistent minutes.
The demotion may ultimately work in Danielson’s favor as he returns to a Griffins team where he has already proven he can thrive. Last season, Danielson recorded 39 points in 71 games with Grand Rapids, building confidence and momentum that helped set the stage for his NHL debut. Earlier this season, after returning from a preseason injury, he picked up right where he left off, recording five points in four games before earning his call-up to Detroit.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
This time, Danielson rejoins a Griffins squad that is putting together a historic season. Grand Rapids currently owns a staggering 28-1-1-1 record and is on pace to potentially be the greatest AHL team in history. The environment provides an ideal setting for Danielson to rediscover his offensive touch and play heavy minutes in all situations.
The move has also sparked debate among Red Wings fans, many of whom are questioning why forward Marco Kasper has not been sent down as well. Kasper’s production has fallen sharply from last season, when he recorded 37 points. This year, he has just six points in 43 games and is on pace for only 12 by season’s end. Detroit appears willing to give Kasper one more opportunity to turn things around, placing him on the top line alongside Dylan Larkin and spark plug winger John Leonard.
There is still a chance Kasper could follow Danielson to Grand Rapids if the numbers do not improve. For now, Danielson heads back to the AHL with a clear path to regain confidence, continue developing, and position himself for another NHL opportunity down the line.
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Columbus Blue Jackets (43 pts) vs. San Jose Sharks (43 pts) Game Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road to take on the San Jose Sharks.
San Jose Sharks - 20-18-3 - 43 Points - 6-4-0 in the last 10 - 6th in the Pacific
Columbus Blue Jackets - 18-16-7 - 43 Points - 5-4-1 in the last 10 - 8th in the Metro
Blue Jackets Stats
- Power Play - 18.4% - 20th in the NHL
- Penalty Kill - 75.9% - 28th in the NHL
- Goals For - 123 - 18th in the NHL
- Goals Against - 136 - 25th in the NHL
Sharks Stats
- Power Play - 18.8% -1 9th in the NHL
- Penalty Kill - 77.1% - 25th in the NHL
- Goals For - 125 - 17th in the NHL
- Goals Against - 145 - 31st in the NHL
Series History vs. TheSharks
- Columbus is 29-34-0-6 all-time, and 10-21-0-3 on the road in San Jose.
- The Jackets are 9-3-1 in the last 13 games, and 5-0-1 in the last 6.
- The Blue Jackets are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games at SAP Center.
Who To Watch For TheSharks
- Macklin Celebrini leads the Sharks with 22 goals, 41 assists, and 63 points.
- Former CBJ Alex Wennberg has 19 assists and 26 points.
- Goalie Yaroslav Askarov 15-10-1 with an .895 SV%.
- Parma, Ohio native Alex Nedeljkovic is 5-8-2 with an .890 SV%. He started the last game for the Sharks and got pulled after giving up 4 goals.
CBJ Player Notes vs.Sharks
- Zach Werenski has a stat line of 4-3-7 in 13 games vs. the Sharks.
- Boone Jenner has 15 points in 18 games.
- Charlie Coyle has 12 points in 29 games against San Jose.
Injuries
- Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 33 Games - IR - No timeline for a return.
- Isac Lundeström - Lower Body - Missed 5 Games - IR
- Miles Wood - Lower Body - Missed 2 Games - IR - Week-to-week.
- Brendan Smith - Lower Body - Missed 3 Game IR - Week to week.
- Sean Monahan - Maintenance - Missed 4 Games - Day to day - Traveled with team.
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 95
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!
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For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Assessing Anfernee Simons' value to Celtics as trade deadline looms
Assessing Anfernee Simons' value to Celtics as trade deadline looms originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
If you haven’t already, it’s time to recalibrate your expectations for the 2025-26 Boston Celtics.
A squad that was projected to win just over 40 games and maybe sneak into the play-in tournament is 23-12 through 35 games and enters Tuesday as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite losing four key members of its 2024 championship team (Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet) and being without superstar Jayson Tatum, the Celtics look like a legitimate contender in the East, especially if Tatum can return in the next month or two.
And while the common belief was that Boston would look to trim salary ahead of the NBA trade deadline as they take a “gap year” with Tatum sidelined, that belief appears to have shifted as Feb. 5 approaches.
“Everyone has been penciling them in there as a salary dump team,” The Ringer’s Zach Lowe said Monday on his podcast. “They may dump salary, but I’m putting it out there: I think they may buy at the trade deadline. I think they should. They have a lot of draft assets to trade.
“… I think they are buying and I think they should buy.”
So, what does that shifted belief mean for this Celtics roster — most notably Anfernee Simons?
If the C’s wanted to trim salary and potentially duck under the first apron of the NBA’s luxury tax, trading Simons would present the easiest path. He’s making $27.7 million this season on an expiring contract and was floated in trade rumors before the season even began.
But Simons is making a compelling case to stick around as a second-unit spark plug, with his latest statement coming Monday night at TD Garden when he poured in 27 points (all in the second half) to help the Celtics fend off the Bulls.
With the trade deadline less than a month away, let’s examine the cases for keeping Simons around and for trading him elsewhere.
The case for keeping Simons
Simons has been as advertised as a scorer. His 20.5 points per 36 minutes rank second on the team behind only Jaylen Brown, and he’s making just under 40 percent of his 3-pointers (39.6 percent).
But the 26-year-old has found other ways to impact winning: Simons’ +168 plus-minus is the second-highest in the NBA since Dec. 1 (behind only Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace), and his 108.1 defensive rating since Dec. 1 is the third-best among Boston’s rotation regulars, behind only Hugo Gonzalez and Luka Garza.
Most importantly, Simons appears to have bought into the Celtics’ emphasis on hustle and defense, which have helped him develop into a more all-around player.
“I think when you understand how we want to play each and every night and you’re doing it each and every night, you find ways to impact the game in your own way,” Simons told reporters after Monday’s win.
Of course, the C’s have plenty of high-energy rotation players like Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh and Luka Garza who can make an impact with their hustle. But if they want to make a deep playoff run, they need reliable scoring outside the trio of Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
That’s where Simons comes in as a source of instant offense for the second unit. And if he can hold his own on the defensive end, he’s worth keeping around until at least the end of the season, when Boston can re-evaluate and see if he fits into the team’s plans for 2026-27 and beyond.
The case for trading Simons
Simons absolutely has provided value, but you could argue he’s a bit of a luxury in a backcourt featuring White, Pritchard and the rapidly-improving Gonzalez.
The frontcourt, meanwhile, could use reinforcements — and Simons is one of Boston’s most tradable assets.
Both Lowe and ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently floated the idea of president of basketball operations Brad Stevens including Simons in a trade for a veteran big man to bolster a frontcourt that’s getting consistent production from just two players in Neemias Queta and Luka Garza.
“I think there’s a Simons-for-a-big-man trade, a spare-parts-and-a pick-for-a-big-man trade,” Lowe added on his podcast. “I don’t know who the team is or the player is. Would Jusuf Nurkic help their team? I don’t know. It’s going to be something unsexy like that.”
Whether it’s Nurkic or a player like Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton (or perhaps the Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac), Boston should at least explore the big man market ahead of the trade deadline, even if it means including Simons in a potential deal.
Simons has made great strides defensively, but he’d likely still be targeted on that end in a playoff series, and his offense won’t be as much of a priority once Tatum returns.
Big man is a more pressing need for the Celtics, and if they’re serious about contending, a trade involving Simons might help land them a player who can add more balance to Mazzulla’s squad entering the postseason.
The bottom line
Trading Simons seemed like an obvious move entering the season — and it still might be a wise decision if he can be dealt for a big man.
But Simons has looked increasingly comfortable in Boston’s rotation over the last month-plus, to the point where it’s easy to envision him playing a key role in a playoff series.
Stevens should keep the phone lines open, but he should only move Simons if Boston can get a high-impact big man in return.