If this season had gone as many pundits anticipated, perhaps the Boston Celtics would be sellers at the trade deadline. If Anfernee Simons weren't building a compelling case for sticking around beyond the current campaign, then perhaps they'd be focused on rerouting him by 3 p.m. EST on Feb. 5. However, the Celtics have spent this year defying external expectations.
They've proven they are legitimate contenders in the wide-open Eastern Conference. Bill Simmons believes that mandates they eschew the opportunity to shed salary between now and the trade deadline, at least if that's the primary benefit of a potential deal.