The Portland Trail Blazers have done a solid job of accumulating young talent over the last few seasons and look set for another tank to the bottom with the hopes of landing a generational talent such as Cooper Flagg. Their young core already includes the likes of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe who will get a lot of development time this season, leaving one talented guard out in the cold.
Anfernee Simons has slowly emerged as one of the most talented guards in the NBA over the last five seasons on the Blazers, excelling alongside Damian Lillard and impressing even after he’s left. However, the Blazers don’t see Simons as their guard of the future, making this the perfect time to move him.Â
The 25-year-old is good enough to help a winning team now while still having some future upside, averaging 22.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season. What would some of the trade packages the Blazers could find at their door for Simons? Let’s take a look.
The Los Angeles Lakers Give Up A Lot For An Upgrade
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, Duop Reath
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
The Los Angeles Lakers have been looking for a guard upgrade on D’Angelo Russell for over a year. Their attempts to move him have failed so far but the Blazers looking to consolidate their young core could come at the perfect time for them. If they’re willing to part with their precious 2029 first-round pick, they can get a player who will not only upgrade their point guard position right now but also be a good fit alongside Anthony Davis in the post-LeBron James era.
Simons possesses solid on-ball skills, being able to create, dribble, and score on all three levels of the court. The years he spent alongside Damian Lillard on the Blazers helped him develop great off-ball offensive skills, which will be useful as the Lakers will rely on both LeBron and Austin Reaves as ball-handlers as well. He can help the Lakers avoid the offensive pitfalls of non-LeBron minutes from last season as well as play well alongside the superstar.
Matisse Thybulle is a great addition to their wing defense, averaging 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals last season. The Lakers were eyeing a big-man addition, with Duop Reath being an option to start the season but not a solution in that position.
The Blazers get a valuable future draft pick, two movable veterans on solid contracts, and a high-potential young prospect like Jalen Hood-Schifino. Hachimura could be a solid short-term option for the Blazers as a veteran tank commander, but he would be in demand from winning teams after averaging 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds last season. Russell averaged 18.0 points and 6.3 assists and is on an attractive expiring contract.Â
The Miami Heat Push To Win Now And Be Good In The FutureÂ
Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Anfernee Simons
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Terry Rozier, 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2026 Second-Round Pick (LAL)
The Miami Heat claim that the Terry Rozier trade last winter was their offseason move of the summer. Despite Rozier averaging 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on the Heat last season, the franchise should be looking to pivot to a younger and more complementary option in their backcourt. Given the injury concerns that persist with Tyler Herro, acquiring a guard like Simons would make their life a lot easier.
Both Herro and Simons are combo guards and could combine to form a versatile high-powered scoring duo. Jimmy Butler has been minimizing his regular-season workload in recent seasons, with the Simons acquisition helping the Heat in conserving Butler while having productive players on the roster. The defensive setup around Simons would further enhance his offensive prowess, as the Heat have been an elite defense but a poor offense in the last few seasons. Â
The Blazers could keep Rozier on their roster as a veteran, similar to what they did with Malcolm Brogdon last season, or move him onto a new team. He likely won’t receive a major offer but could allow the Blazers to acquire another future draft pick, alongside the very valuable 2029 pick from the Heat.
The Orlando Magic Allay Their Offensive Woes
Trade Details
Orlando Magic Receive: Anfernee Simons, Rayan RupertÂ
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Cole Anthony, Caleb Houstan, 2027 First-Round Pick (ORL)
The Orlando Magic impressed all fans last season after they rose to the No. 5 seed in the East and pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in their first Playoff appearance since 2020. They could’ve been even better if the roster had the pieces a contending team needs, with the Magic having a sub-standard offense that fell apart in the face of the Cavaliers’ defense.Â
Acquiring Simons gives the Magic a more reliable scoring guard than what they had last season. Cole Anthony is a bench sparkplug at best, Anthony Black is far too raw, and Jalen Suggs is an inconsistent offensive weapon while being one of the best guard defenders in the NBA. A Simons-Suggs backcourt would be lethal, especially when it’s complemented by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in the frontcourt.
Anthony averaged 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists last season. He’s a solid trade option on a cheap contract with positive value on a contending team provided he’s given a defined role. Caleb Houstan is a promising young swingman who could develop into a solid future piece on the Blazers, being able to guard multiple positions. While Houstan likely will stay, Cole can easily be moved for solid value to maximize the return for Simons.
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