The Los Angeles Lakers have compiled an impressive 45-29 record and are positioned as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference in 2024-25.
Los Angeles’ generational two-headed monster of ex-Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić and four-time NBA MVP LeBron James have done plenty to grant the team status as a true title contender, but it’s possible that even more can be done to bring in reinforcements for next season.
In fact, recent reports have shown that the Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka may be looking to pull off another massive trade this upcoming summer to provide both Dončić and James with a microwave scoring talent that can take pressure off of the two by contacting the Portland Trail Blazers about their 25-year-old shooting guard Anfernee Simons.
“While it’s certainly a long shot, another team mentioned as a possible landing spot for Simons if the Blazers were to look to trade him is the Lakers, sources said,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel wrote Friday afternoon.
The idea of Simons playing off Doncic certainly makes sense. He is a solid three-point shooting weapon who can play on or off the ball, creating a strong scoring duo for the future with Luka. Head coach JJ Redick has also spoken very highly in the past of Simons’ potential and skill.”
At 6-foot-3, the scoring prodigy and former Damian Lillard protégé Simons has become an uber-aggressive volume shooter that has never been gun-shy with regard to letting three-pointers fly.
If given the opportunity to bring in the talented guard on an expiring contract, the Lakers would likely have to give up a combination of Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and the franchise’s No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft Dalton Knecht along with possible first-round draft capital.
In 69 appearances for the Trail Blazers this season, he has contributed 19.3 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 36.6% on 8.5 attempts from distance despite being handed a lesser role within their lineup due to the progression of Portland’s No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft Scoot Henderson.
The Lakers would become a fearsome offensive force after the hypothetical pairing of Simons in the backcourt with Dončić, even if James were to sit out every so often.
By acting as both a reliable catch-and-shoot threat with unlimited range and an incredible isolation scorer, Simons would have the ability to become the team’s offensive engine for a few possessions at a time.
Though Simons’ possible arrival in Los Angeles to help Dončić and James compete for a title may remain a fantasy, he’ll likely be made available any time prior to the 2025-26 trade deadline by Portland.
