The Indiana Pacers won't be able to find a perfect replacement for Tyrese Haliburton as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. It's a harsh reality they must come to terms with, and appear to have already made peace with, during the 2025 offseason.
What the Pacers can do, however, is give themselves a chance to remain competitive without him in the rotation—and Anfernee Simons could help them achieve that very goal.
Simons was recently traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Boston Celtics. It appeared, at first, as though Boston was giving the 26-year-old a chance to prove what he can do on a team with a win-now mentality and stars leading the rotation, but new developments have opened a surprising door for Indiana.
During a recent episode of The Hoop Collective, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst revealed that the Celtics are actively pursuing a trade that would send Simons elsewhere.
“I have talked to other teams who have said the Celtics are actively trying to trade Anfernee Simons.”
Though far from a perfect replacement for Haliburton, Simons could be the low-cost and low-risk addition the Pacers need to remain competitive.
Celtics are actively attempting to trade Anfernee Simons
Simons is a seven-year veteran who ranks among the more productive combo guards in the NBA. Over the past three seasons, he's compiled averages of 20.7 points, 4.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 three-point field goals on .434/.374/.904 shooting.
What Simons has lacked over the past two seasons, however, have been the surroundings to enable improved efficiency and a more defined role within a veteran-heavy rotation.
In Indiana, Simons would have a chance to play alongside players who are mere weeks removed from competing in the NBA Finals. Losing Haliburton and Myles Turner certainly hurts the Pacers' rotation, but the talent in place remains sufficient as far as making the 2026 NBA Playoffs is concerned.
Pascal Siakam is a two-time All-NBA honoree and NBA champion, Andrew Nembhard locked down elite players throughout the 2025 postseason, and the depth in place remains elite.
With Haliburton out, however, the Pacers need to redefine the manner in which their guards generate offense. Nembhard and his career average of 6.0 assists per 36 minutes should help, but Indiana needs depth in the playmaking department.
Simons has the tools to excel in that very area with his average of 5.5 assists per 36 minutes over the past two seasons.
Furthermore, Simons is a three-level scoring threat with the ability to play away from the ball, as evidenced by his 42.7 percent shooting on catch-and-shoot threes in 2023-24 and his 37.7 percent mark in 2024-25. He could thus alleviate some of the scoring burden from Siakam while excelling as a playmaker alongside Nembhard.
Compounded by the facts that Simons has an expiring contract and the Celtics seem to lack leverage in trade negotiations, the Pacers could land a steal of a placeholder late in the acquisition game.