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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 21: Anfernee Simons #4 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at TD Garden on January 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by China Wong/Getty Images)
The new-look Chicago Bulls include the addition of former Boston Celtics standout Anfernee Simons.
Unfortunately, Simons is dealing with an injury, which will take him off the court for the time being. The Bulls haven’t confirmed an official timeline, as they are still working to determine one.
When the head coach, Billy Donovan, addressed the media on February 22 ahead of the Bulls’ matchup against the New York Knicks, he revealed that there are still steps that Simons has to go through in order to reach a further diagnosis. For the Bulls, that could be concerning news.
GettyAnfernee Simons during his time with the Boston Celtics.
Anfernee Simons Still Has Steps To Go Through
According to a report from The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi, Donovan made it clear that the “severity” of Simons’ injury is not confirmed. While he has an injury designation of a “sprained wrist” on the official injury report, the head coach states that it could “very well change” after Simons sees a specialist.
For Simons, the recent setback has been his first of the year. After starting the 2025-2026 NBA season with the Boston Celtics, Simons played in 49-straight games. In the two games leading up to the February 5 trade deadline, Simons was out.
By February 5, he was starting for the Bulls against the Toronto Raptors, clocking in for 31 minutes. Since then, he hasn’t missed a game.
When the Bulls hosted the Detroit Pistons on February 21, Simons checked out after 13 minutes. He left the game with just four points on 2-6 shooting from the field. The Bulls came up short with a blowout loss against the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
GettyAnfernee Simons is approaching his contract season for the Chicago Bulls. He will be a free agent during the summer of 2026.
The Big Concern For Anfernee Simons
The Bulls’ plans for Simons are not clear. Playing the role of sellers at the trade deadline, it was evident that the Bulls were signaling they were in rebuild mode. Considering the 26-year-old could be viewed as a win-now talent, the Bulls might allow him to walk in the summer.
A four-year, $100 million deal for Simons will expire at the end of the season. He is set to become a free agent and should have a notable market, considering he looked solid during his time with the Celtics.
In 49 games, Simons shot 44 percent from the field. He knocked down nearly 40 percent of his threes, averaging 14.2 points per game. Along with his scoring, Simons produced 2.4 rebounds per game and 2.4 assists per game. He received notable endorsements from his Celtics teammates on the way out.
Although Simons proved enough to have a market, an injury could affect him from finishing the year strong enough to drive up his contract value.
Fortunately, with eight years in the bag, the NBA has a good idea of what Simons brings to the table. After seven seasons in Portland, along with the current campaign, Simons has posted averages of 14.9 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds, while hitting on 43 percent of his field goals and 38 percent of his threes.
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