What was the Anfernee Simons Trade?

Anfernee Simons is a professional basketball player who entered the NBA in 2018 as a relatively unknown prospect when the Portland Trail Blazers selected him with the 24th overall pick in the draft. Simons opted to bypass college basketball after a post-graduate year at IMG Academy in Florida. The Trail Blazers saw potential in the 6’3” guard’s athleticism and scoring ability.

As a rookie, Simons played limited minutes behind Portland superstar Damian Lillard. He averaged just 3.8 points per game in 20 games. However, Simons gained valuable experience in practice against elite competition while working diligently to polish his skill set. He showed flashes of promise by erupting for 37 points in the 2019 NBA Summer League.

In his fourth season, Simons took on an expanded role and tallied 17.3 points per game while shooting 44% from the field. Thrust into a starting job with Lillard injured, he demonstrated the dynamic offensive firepower that Portland’s front office envisioned when drafting him.

The 2022-2023 campaign represented a breakout year for the 22-year-old Simons. With CJ McCollum traded the prior season, he earned a permanent starting spot. Simons responded by averaging 21.1 points per game and establishing himself as an elite three-point marksman, hitting almost 38% of his attempts from downtown. His quickness and deep shooting range kept defenders unbalanced while he attacked with aggression.

Now in his sixth NBA season, Simons has rapidly developed from an intriguing project with upside into a cornerstone player for the Trail Blazers. His form is athletic and he boasts a 6’3” frame. When this is coupled with a deep shooting range and crafty handles, it presents a dynamic offensive weapon. After biding his time early in his career, Simons now shoulders the scoring load in Portland.

Anfernee Simons Trade

Heading into the 2023 offseason, Simons was the subject of intense trade speculation involving the Portland Trail Blazers. He had emerged as a dangerous scoring threat, averaging 21.1 points per game during the 2022-2023 campaign. With Portland holding the #3 overall pick in the upcoming draft, there was buzz that the team could package Simons and the selection to land another star player.

The rationale was that Simons could be a key trade chip to bring in talent better matched with franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard. By flipping Simons and a top draft pick, Portland could aim for a proven All-Star caliber player.

For now, Simons remains in Portland and will team up with Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant to form an explosive offensive trio. Time will tell if Portland keeps the young playmaker long-term or revisits trade options involving him.