The Los Angeles Clippers have been very energetic this offseason. The traded for Norman Powell for John Collins, added Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, and Brook Lopez on the open market, and re-signed James Harden.
The Clippers are set to be one of many league’s oldest groups when the season begins. The common age on the roster is nearly 31 years previous. Whereas most of their core gamers have proven no indicators of slowing down, it’s nonetheless dangerous to go all-in on a workforce filled with 30-somethings.
LA acquired Paul to stabilize their second unit, however they’re nonetheless in want of shot creation of their second unit. They do have Bogdan Bogdanovic, however he’s coming off the worst season of his profession. The Clippers want extra scoring of their second unit, and the Celtics may present them with the proper commerce goal.
The Clippers should take a flyer on Anfernee Simons
Simons was traded to Boston earlier this offseason for Jrue Vacation after a seven-year run in Portland. Boston is reportedly open to flipping Simons on the open market, which is smart given the Celtics’ crowded backcourt. Boston additionally needs to present Payton Pritchard all he can deal with this season, and Simons may take some touches away.
Simons has considerably developed as a scorer during the last 4 seasons after a tough begin to his profession. He’s coming off a season the place he averaged 19 factors per sport on 43 p.c capturing and 36 p.c from three-point vary.
Simons was general fairly environment friendly as a shooter, as he shot 47% from mid-range and 37% on above-the-break threes, each above league common. He would add actual worth off the bench as a score-first guard, and is extra constant than Bogdanovic.
The Clippers’ playoff offense usually stalled out in opposition to Denver as a result of they didn’t have sufficient shot creators or basic scoring punch. Including Beal and Collins ought to assist that with the beginning lineup, however having Simons off the bench in addition to an possibility could be useful.
Simons suits in completely with this workforce, and comes with little danger
Simons additionally presents off-ball worth, which is vital with Harden operating the present more often than not offensively. Simons shot 38 p.c on catch-and-shoot threes this previous season, and likewise shot at a 39 p.c clip on open to wide-open threes. He may have extra of those appears taking part in in LA’s offense, as playmaking duties will possible fall to Harden and Paul.
Simons is on a $27 million expiring contract, so he comes with little danger. The Clippers would preserve their monetary flexibility for the 2026 and 2027 offseasons. Additionally they have a couple of second-round picks, and choose swaps that they will ship to Boston to sweeten the deal.
You possibly can by no means have too many ball-handlers within the NBA, and with the Clippers having an older guard rotation, Simons provides them a much-needed infusion of youth and athleticism. He can have a heavier workload within the common season to protect the older guys for the playoffs.
This can be a transfer that can make LA deeper. With the Western Convention set to be a massacre this coming season, the Clippers want to think about including Simons to assist their championship pursuit.
