Anfernee Simons aggravated a lingering fracture in his left wrist, an injury Coach Billy Donovan called “old.” With the Bulls trapped in a nine-game free-fall, the guard’s uncertain timeline for return threatens any glimmer of post-trade momentum and pushes Chicago’s play-in window into Peril.
On February 24, the Chicago Bulls confirmed that starting guard Anfernee Simons is not merely suffering from a wrist sprain, but a re-aggrieved fracture in the same left wrist that had previously sidelined him during Boston Celtics training camp. Simons aggravated the injury against Detroit on February 21 and was ruled out at halftime. Coach Billy Donovan delivered the updated diagnosis to reporters in Chicago on Tuesday evening ahead of the team’s matchup against Charlotte.
The Cycle of Pain: From Portland to Boston to Chicago
Simons, 26, joined the Bulls at the February trade deadline in a multi-team swap that shipped All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to Boston. The Bulls viewed the move as a recrystnization of their offensive flow, positioning Simons as a complementary creator alongside Zach LaVine and Ayo Dosunmu. Yet this wrist fracture has now dogged Simons for nearly an entire calendar year. Donovan confirmed that the initial fracture occurred during 2025 Celtics training camp, costing him 10-14 days. The timeline for full healing remains murky.
- Portland Trail Blazers: Drafted 24th overall in 2018, Simons spent his first seven seasons in Rip City, tallying a career-high 27.2 points per 36 minutes in 2022-23 before Portland pivoted toward a rebuild.
- Boston Celtics: Traded on July 20, 2024 for Jrue Holiday, Simons appeared in 49 contests this season (14.2 points, 24.5 minutes) before another Celtics roster shuffle sent him to Chicago alongside Jalen Duren.
- Chicago Bulls: In only six games post-trade, Simons showcased flashes—15.2 points and 28.4 minutes—before the wrist flared anew vs. Detroit.
Chain Reaction: Bulls Unable toStop the Bleeding
The Bulls entered Tuesday mired in a season-worst nine-game losing streak, their longest skid since 2011. Simons’ injury leaves them without their most dynamic pull-up shooter and the lone Bulls guard averaging double-digits since his arrival. With Zach LaVine also battling off-night shooting streaks, Chicago’s offense fledwilted to 30th in the NBA in offensive rating over the past two weeks.
Three Key Dominoes
- Point-of-attack defense: Simons’ 6´3 frame and long arms were critical in marshalling smaller opposing playmakers; his absence could worsen a defense already giving up 118.6 points per 100 possessions across February.
- Late-game spacing: Donovan had increasingly entrusted Simons with ISO looks in the final six minutes of close contests; now those possessions will likely devolve to hero-ball LaVine isolations or DeRozan post-ups—both options teams are wise to.
- Play-in japanese odds race: Chicago currently sits 12th at 29-35, two games behind Atlanta for the final play-in slot. With the Hornets, Pistons, and Pacers all surging, the Bulls risk falling out of the picture entirely if the slide hits double digits.
The $40 Million Question: Is There Any Upside Left?
Simons carries a $40 million player option for 2026-27, a sum well above his current production curve. With his wrist целостность now compromised twice in six months, general manager Marc Eversley faces a brutal calculus: can Simons stay on the floor long enough to prove he merits the megadeal he originally hoped to land next summer? More importantly, does Chicago want to pay it given his fragility?
The real market value of Simons will be dictated in the next 10 days. If he returns by early March and posts three straight games above 20 points, teams on the bubble might still be tempted to attach asset to him at the deadline. But every missed session dims that light. As Tuesday night’s horn sounded against Charlotte, the United Center felt eerily silent. With Simons watching on the sidelines, Bulls fans are once again asking the same saquinine question: F or déjà vu?
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