- This trade lands the Los Angeles Lakers guard Anfernee Simons
- Simons could be a good fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis
- The Portland Trail Blazers would be able to get a solid package for Simons
The Los Angeles Lakers are a team that has made a number of great moves this offseason already, but they are still not quite on the same tier as other Western Conference contenders, such as the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns. However, there are definitely moves that the team can make to get them on that level.
In this proposed trade scenario, the Los Angeles Lakers send a trade package to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. The package features two prospects and draft compensation.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Anfernee Simons
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
There is no doubt that this deal could potentially.be a good move for the Los Angeles Lakers. Anfernee Simons could be a difference-maker for the team, and play well off of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Here is why this could be a good deal for the Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Los Angeles Lakers Get A Guard That Can Play Well Without The Ball
Anfernee Simons is an athletic guard who also provides some 3PT shooting and shot creation. He has shown that he can play next to a ball-dominant player like Damian Lillard already and be impactful, so he would in theory be a good fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Last season, Anfernee Simons averaged 21.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game for the Portland Trail Blazers, while shooting 37.7% from 3PT range on 9.1 attempts per game. There is no doubt that he is one of the best high-volume 3PT shooters in the league, and he is the sort of player who can make an impact without the ball. Of course, his playmaking does leave something to be desired: but ultimately, he won’t need to do much of that considering players like Austin Reaves and LeBron James on the roster.
On the Los Angeles Lakers, all Simons would have to do is move off the ball and shoot, and he could definitely contribute to the Lakers winning a championship. Ideally, Simons would be the No. 3 or No. 4 option on the team with the ability to take over on certain nights.
The Los Angeles Lakers would attach some young players and picks to D’Angelo Russell to get this deal done. They would offer a competitive package for Simons, and since the Trail Blazers are in a rebuilding process, it makes sense for them to try and move Simons for such a package. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers would get an elite contributor that could help them win a championship.
The Portland Trail Blazers Would Get A Decent Trade Package For Anfernee Simons
Though Anfernee Simons is clearly a good basketball player, there are valid reasons for the Portland Trail Blazers to move him. They recently drafted Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and it is clear that the team views him as their next franchise player. Shaedon Sharpe also needs playing time, and he has a high ceiling as a hyper-athletic shooting guard with shot creation ability. The team is already exploring trades for Damian Lillard, and it is quite likely that Anfernee Simons will be next to get moved afterward.
In this trade package, the Portland Trail Blazers would get D’Angelo Russell, who could potentially come off the bench for the franchise. Last season, Russell averaged 17.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game for the Los Angeles Lakers. He would be unlikely to start over Scoot Henderson or Shaedon Sharpe, but could up his value on the bench and become a valuable trade chip at the trade deadline for the Trail Blazers. If the team doesn’t end up moving him, then they could move him to a team that needs salary relief after the 2023-24 season, as Russell is only on a two-year deal currently and will be on an expiring contract during the 2024-25 season.
The rest of this package involves Jalen Hood-Schifino and Maxwell Lewis. Both players would have time to develop on the Portland Trail Blazers that they wouldn’t on the Los Angeles Lakers. Though neither player necessarily has star potential, they could be quality role players in the next iteration of the Portland Trail Blazers. Maxwell Lewis in particular already has shown signs of being a decent 3 and D player.
The Los Angeles Lakers would also send two second-round picks to the Portland Trail Blazers in this deal, and that is likely enough draft compensation given the fact that the Trail Blazers would also be receiving two prospects in this scenario.
Overall, this is a solid trade package from the Portland Trail Blazers’ perspective. This could really help them with their rebuild, and allow them to gain some assets for the future.
This Could Be A Difference-Making Move For The Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have had one of the best offseasons in the league this year, and this trade could help them further build on their progress. Anfernee Simons fits the profile of a player who will thrive with LeBron James and Anthony Davis due to his marksmanship from beyond the arc. An underrated aspect of this deal would be allowing Austin Reaves to play PG, which could accelerate the development of his burgeoning playmaking ability.
It remains to be seen if the Los Angeles Lakers will acquire Anfernee Simons in the future. It could definitely be a move that pays huge dividends for them, and perhaps the team can explore trade talks for him before the start of the season.
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