Trade Proposal Sends Blazers’ Anfernee Simons To Cavaliers

One NBA analyst proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Anfernee Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Evan Massey of SI proposed the following mock trade between the Cavaliers and Blazers:

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Anfernee Simons

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Caris LeVert, Dean Wade, 2025 Second-Round Pick, 2028 Second-Round Pick

“Simons would be a massive addition for Cleveland and could come in either as a starter or the sixth man,” Massey wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “He would take pressure off of Donovan Mitchell in the starting lineup, or could be a potential 20 points per game scorer coming off of the bench.”

Simons appeared in 46 games for the Blazers this past season. He averaged 22.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.1 blocks while shooting 43.0% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc and 91.6% from the free-throw line. 

The 25-year-old Simons will make $25.9 million next season. He holds career averages of 14.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.1 blocks while shooting 43.2% overall, 38.6% from 3 and 87.3% from the foul line. 

“Giving up LeVert and replacing him with Simons would be an immediate upgrade,” Massey wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “Wade is a quality role player, but he would be well worth moving in this kind of a deal. At just 25 years old, Simons could be a very key part of the future for the Cavaliers. He has another year left on his deal after the upcoming season and could be re-signed long-term if the fit ends up being as good as it looks.”

If this trade happened, the Cavaliers would likely start Darius Garland, Simons, Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. 

The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Blazers missed the postseason again. 

Cleveland fired JB Bickerstaff as head coach and hired Kenny Atkinson to a five-year deal.