Celtics just gifted Spurs the perfect Devin Vassell replacement

As the dust settles from the San Antonio Spurs giving star De'Aaron Fox a max extension, the attention now turns to their salary situation going forward. Obviously Fox and Victor Wembanyama are going to be on max deals, putting pressure on the Spurs to cut costs elsewhere. That could mean Devin Vassell is expendable.

The Spurs may not be in an immediate rush to trade Vassell, but if the opportunity presented itself, then they would be wise to do so. Vassell is on a questionable contract that will pay him $27 million on average over the next four years, and while he may have a bounce-back 2025-26 season, if he doesn't, then that deal becomes a huge problem.

The Spurs could hedge their bets by looking to trade him between now and the deadline. One potential option is to trade him for an expiring contract, with the Boston Celtics' Anfernee Simons being a perfect option.

Trading Vassell for Anfernee Simons should tempt the Spurs

The potential trade should see the Spurs ship Vassell to the Celtics. That would reunite him with former Spur Derrick White. They would also be giving up Atlanta's 2027 first and Boston's own 2028 pick swap in exchange for Simons.

Trading a first, a pick swap, and Vassell, who at his best is comparable to Simons, seems like an overpay. It might be, but the benefits could help the Spurs in the long run. Simons isn't under contract after next season, and they could let him walk or trade him later and save from having to pay Vassell $27 million a season.

That would give them much more breathing room and ensure they don't remain stuck with a bad contract. From Boston's perspective, they shed a lot of salary, so they would need incentive to take back long-term salary. Getting a first from the Hawks and their own pick back might be enough for them to consider the deal.

Anfernee Simons would be the perfect Devin Vassell replacement

Considering the Spurs desperately need shooting, trading Vassell for Simons would be one of the few deals that make sense. Vassell, at his peak, is an elite player, including shooting an unconscious 38.7% from three on 7.0 3-point attempts in 2022-23.

Still, Spurs fans would agree that he was downright awful for large stretches of last season. The theory of Vassell as a two-way guard who can get hot and scorch teams as a third or fourth option is tempting. That's far from a guarantee, though, and if he isn't that player, then his contract suddenly becomes toxic.

Compare that to Simons, who, while only an offensive player, has consistently been one of the best high-volume shooters in the NBA. It's surprising that he isn't thought of in that regard, but it's true. He's shot an eye-popping 38.1% from three on 8.5 attempts per game over the last four seasons, while also averaging 19.9 points and 4.5 assists.

The Spurs could slot him in between Fox and Stephon Castle and alongside Harrison Barnes and Wembanyama. As a stopgap option, Simons would be a solid short-term fit and make for an intriguing trade target for San Antonio.