{"id":598677,"date":"2026-02-12T10:42:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/598677\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T10:42:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:42:01","slug":"former-celtics-star-leaves-door-open-for-potential-return-down-the-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/598677\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Celtics Star Leaves Door Open For Potential Return ‘Down The Line’"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been a surreal couple of weeks<\/a> for Anfernee Simons.<\/p>\n

Two Sundays ago, he was lighting up the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> at TD Garden in one of his best games yet with the Boston Celtics. It was his last time in a Celtics uniform, however, as he was surprisingly traded to the Chicago Bulls<\/a> two days later.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Simons returned to TD Garden<\/a>, now as a member of the Bulls. Same player. Same court. Different uniform.<\/p>\n

The move appeared to catch Simons off guard based on the pregame interview<\/a> he gave to CLNS reporter Bobby Manning on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Anfernee Simons told me he was starting to see a future for himself in BOS: “You wanted to see the light at the end of the tunnel \u2026 but obviously it’s the NBA. They traded for a great player.” <\/p>\n

He could see himself returning: “For sure down the line. I enjoyed my time here.” pic.twitter.com\/I2Eza3Oh0f<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) February 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

He said he was starting to feel \u201ccomfortable\u201d with Boston after the Portland Trail Blazers traded him there last summer. He was also looking forward to finishing the season with the Celtics, especially since he was on track to make the playoffs for the first time in five years.<\/p>\n

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Brad Stevens had other plans, however, shipping him to Chicago in a trade package for Nikola Vucevic.<\/p>\n

While his time in Boston was cut short, Simons said he enjoyed his time there and could see himself returning one day. <\/p>\n

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\u201cFor sure. Obviously, gotta finish our season here first and then see what happens there,\u201d Simons told Manning. \u201cFor sure, down the line. I enjoyed my time here, built great relationships here. So yeah, I see it for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old shooting guard will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, so he may not have to wait long to pursue another opportunity with the Celtics.<\/p>\n

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