The Boston Celtics have made powerful choices about who will change Jrue Vacation’s function on the crew and who will change Jrue Vacation’s function.
Forward of the 2025-26 season, the Boston Celtics parted methods with veteran guard Jrue Vacation. Vacation was traded with the Portland Path Blazers following a two-year stint in Boston.
- Portland Path Blazers obtained: Jrue Vacation
- The Boston Celtics obtained: Anfernee Simons, 2nd Future Draft Picks
The transfer was made to get beneath the second apron subsequent season, with a view to keep away from a $32.4 million wage for the Vacation.
However does that imply that the previous Blazers safety guard will play a nod within the beginning 5 with Vacation being changed by the Anfernee Simons? Former NBA participant Dorell Wright thinks it is a dangerous thought.
Earlier than buying and selling with the Celtics, Simons had a seven-year stint with the Portland Path Blazers. Of the seven seasons, Simons performed the function that began within the final three seasons.
Clearly, Simons’ hopes are to play an identical function with the Celtics. However Wright will not be concerned on this thought.
“I am not rolling it, to usher in a younger gunner, he would not know how you can win. He takes him to the successful group, he is shedding,” Wright mentioned in a timeout.
If it isn’t Simons, who ought to get these minutes? Wright believes that it ought to be something however Payton Pritchard.
“And you bought Payton Pritchard there, which, in my view, is a slap within the face.
“That is loopy for me,” he concluded.
Pritchard had an unbelievable 2024-25 season, even garnering “nice” reward from Invoice Simmons. With that in thoughts, rewarding Pritchard with the beginning roll subsequent season will not be the worst thought.
The best method to resolve this argument is to check what the 2 stars did final season.
| statistics | Payton Pritchard | Anfernee Simons |
| level | 14.3 ppg | 19.3 ppg |
| rebound | 3.8 RPG | 2.7 RPG |
| help | 3.5 APG | 4.8 APG |
| Discipline aim fee | 47.2% | 42.6% |
| 3 factors fee | 40.7% | 36.3% |
Simons scored factors per sport and led Pritchard in assists, however remember how the 2 stars received the numbers.
Pritchard is a extra constant shooter from the sector and deep, enjoying solely 28.7 minutes per sport from the bench.
In the meantime, Simons averaged his numbers whereas being the starter for all 70 appearances final season. He additionally performed 32.7 minutes per sport.
That being mentioned, we should agree with Wright’s assertion that inserting Simmons immediately into Pritchard’s first 5 could be a nasty transfer.
