Anfernee SIMONS

Anfernee SIMONS Anfernee Simons is a talented NBA guard currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Key Details

• Position: Guard (Combo Guard – PG/SG)
• Born: June 8, 1999 (Age 25)
• Height: 6’3″ (1.91 m)
• Drafted: 2018, 1st Round (24th overall) by Portland
• NBA Debut: 2018-19 season

Career Highlights

• Broke out in the 2021-22 season, averaging 17.3 PPG after Damian LILLARD’s injury.
• In 2022-23, he became a full-time starter, averaging 21.1 PPG, 4.1 APG.
• After the Blazers traded LILLARD (2023), Simons became a key building block for the team’s rebuild.

2023-24 Season Stats

22.6 PPG, 5.5 APG, 3.6 RPG

• Shot 38.5% from three on high volume (8.8 attempts per game).
• One of the NBA’s most improved playmakers.

Playing Style

• Elite three-point shooter (career ~38% from deep).
• Explosive scorer with deep range and pull-up ability.
• Improved as a playmaker but still developing as a true point guard.

Strengths & Playing Style Breakdown

Elite Shooting & Range:

• One of the NBA’s best pull-up three-point shooters (career 38.1% on 6.5+ attempts).
• Can hit from 30+ feet effortlessly (similar to Dame LILLARD -style bombs).
• Shoots 44% on catch-and-threes (elite off-ball threat).

Athleticism & Finishing:

• Explosive first step—gets to the rim with ease.

Playmaking Growth:

• Still turnover-prone (2.8 TOV), but showing better P&R decision-making.

Clutch Gene:

• Hit multiple game-winners (including a deep 3 vs. the Suns in 2022).
• Averaged 24.3 PPG in the 4th quarter on 50/40/90 splits in some key stretches.

2. Weaknesses & Areas to Improve

Defense:

• Still a below-average defender due to size (6’3”, 181 l bs) and inconsistent effort.
• Gets targeted in switches—needs to add strength.

Playmaking Under Pressure:

• Struggles against double teams (Blazers relied on him as the primary ball-handler post-LILLARD).
• Needs to improve passing out of traps.

Efficiency Fluctuations:

• Can be streaky—went 5/25 in a game vs. OKC (2024) but dropped 38 the next night.

3. Future Outlook & Blazers’ Plans

• Trade Rumors? Some analysts think Portland might move him for assets, but the Blazers seem committed to his upside.
• All-Star Potential: If he improves his defense and playmaking, he could be a 2025-26 All-Star candidate in a weaker West backcourt.
• Contract: Signed through 2025-26 (team option for 2026-27).

4. Fun Facts

• Nickname: “Ant” (short for Anfernee).
• Pre-Draft: Skipped college, played at IMG Academy, and was a 5-star recruit.

Advanced Stats & Impact Metrics

Scoring Efficiency:

• True Shooting (TS%): 58.2% (2023-24) – above league average for guards.
• Effective FG% (e FG%): 54.1% – elite for a high-volume shooter.
• Pull-Up 3P%: 37.1% (on 5.8 attempts/game) – ranks top 10 among guards.

Playmaking Growth:

• AST% (Assist Percentage): 25.4% (2023-24) – up from 18.9% in 2022-23.
• Usage Rate: 27.8% – shows he’s handling a primary initiator role.

Defensive Limitations:

• Defensive RAPTOR: -2.3 (below average).
• DBPM (Defensive Box Plus-Minus): -1.7 – struggles in team defense.

Clutch Stats (Last 5 Mins, Score Within 5):

• 45.8% FG, 39.1% 3P, 88.9% FT – proven late-game performer.

2. Comparison to Other Young Scoring Guards

Player                              PPG (2023-24)               3P%                    APG                    TS%                    Upside

Anfernee Simons                22.6                          38.5%                     5.5                     58.2%        Elite shooter, improving playmaker

Tyrese Maxey                      25.9                          37.3%                      6.2                   57.8%               Faster, better finisher

Jordan Poole                       17.4                          32.6%                      4.4                    52.6%              Worse efficiency, higher volatility

Jalen Green                         19.6                          33.2%                      3.5                    53.8%              More athletic, worse shooter

Verdict: Simons is a better shooter than all of them and is improving as a playmaker, but Maxey is more complete.

3. Best Games & Career Highlights

• Feb 4, 2022: 43 pts (9 threes) vs. Hawks – first breakout game post-LILLARD injury.
• Jan 14, 2023: 33 pts, 6 a s t, game-winning 3 vs. Mavericks.
• 2023-24 Season: 5 games with 30+ pts & 5+ a s t – proving he can be a lead guard.

4. Fit With Portland’s Young Core

Backcourt of the Future:

• Simons + Scoot Henderson – Simons is the shooter/scorer, Scoot is the primary playmaker.
• Sha EDON Sharpe – Could form a lethal three-guard lineup if Sharpe develops.

Potential Issues:

• Defense – All three (Simons, Scoot, Sharpe) are still weak defensively.
• Ball Dominance – Simons and Scoot both need the ball to thrive.

5. Trade Value & League Perception

Estimated Trade Value:

• 1-2 mid-first-round picks + a young player (similar to what De JOUNTE Murray fetched).
• Teams like Orlando, Brooklyn, or San Antonio could be fits if Portland shops him.

Why Keep Him?

• Only 25 years old, already a 20+ PPG scorer, and fits the timeline of Portland’s rebuild.

6. What’s Next?

2024-25 Goals:

• All-Star Push – Needs to average 24+ PPG, 6+ APG on good efficiency.
• Defensive Improvement – Even a slight jump could make him a franchise cornerstone.
• Leadership Role – Now the veteran in Portland’s locker room.

Long-Term Ceiling:

• Best Case: Damian LILLARD-lite (elite shooter, decent playmaker, average defense).
• Worst Case: Jordan Poole (high-volume scorer, inefficient stretches, bad D).

SHOT CHART & PLAY TYPE BREAKDOWN (2023-24)

Shot Selection:

• At Rim: 62% FG (20% of attempts)
• Mid-Range: 42% FG (15% of attempts)

Three-Pointers:

• Pull-Up 3s: 37.1% (5.8 attempts/game)
• Catch-and-Shoot 3s: 44.0% (3.0 attempts/game)

Corner 3s: 41.3% (elite)

• Clutch Time (Last 5 mins, +/- 5 pts): 45.8% FG, 39.1% 3P

Play Type Efficiency:

• Pick-and-Roll Ball Handler: 0.92 PPP (65th percentile)
• Spot-Up: 1.12 PPP (77th percentile)
• Anfernee SIMONS Isolation: 0.86 PPP (53rd percentile)
• Transition: 1.18 PPP (84th percentile)

2. CONTRACT & SALARY CAP IMPLICATIONS

• Current Deal: 4 years, $100M (signed 2022)
• 2024-25: $25.9M
• 2025-26: $27.8M
• 2026-27: $29.7M (team option)

Trade Value:

• Positive Asset (outperforms contract) but not a max-level player yet.
• If traded ,Portland could demand:
• 1-2 protected 1sts + a young player (e.g., a deal similar to Malcolm Brogdon’s value).

3. TRADE MACHINE SCENARIOS

Potential Fits:

Orlando Magic

• Trade: Simons for Jett Howard + 2025 DEN 1st (top-5 protected)
• Why? Orlando needs shooting; Simons pairs perfectly with Paolo/Wagner.

Brooklyn Nets

• Why? Nets get a young guard to build around; Blazers get a wing + pick.

San Antonio Spurs

• Why? Spurs add elite shooting next to WEM by; Blazers get a pick + forward.
• Why Portland Might Hold: Simons’ age (25) fits Scoot/Sharpe’s timeline better than veterans.

4. DEFENSIVE FILM STUDY

Biggest Weaknesses:

• Anfernee SIMONS Screen Navigation: Poor at fighting through picks (allows 1.12 PPP to ball-handlers).
• Off-Ball Awareness: Often loses shooters in rotations.
• Physical Limitations: 6’3”, 181 l bs – gets bullied by bigger guards.

Bright Spots:

• Steals: 1.0 SPG (decent instincts in passing lanes).
• Transition Defense: Recovers well due to elite speed.

Improvement Path:

• Add 10-15 l bs of muscle to handle switches better.

6. 2024-25 PREDICTIONS & BETTING ODDS

• Stats: 24.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.8 RPG, 39% 3P

Awards Watch:

• Most Improved Player: +1800 (if he jumps to 25+ PPG, 6+ APG)
• All-Star: +2500 (needs Blazers to be near .500)

Over/UNDERS:

• 24.5 PPG (Lean: Over)
• 5.5 APG (Lean: Over)

7. TRAINING FOCUS THIS SUMMER

• Playmaking: Working with Steve Nash on P&R reads.
• Defense: Drills with Bruce Bowen (former Spurs stopper).
• Strength: Added 7 l bs of muscle (per Blazers’ training staff).

8. THE BIG QUESTION: CAN HE BE A #1 OPTION?

Yes, but…

• Needs to improve passing out of double teams (Blazers’ offense stalled when trapped).
• Must raise FG% at the rim (62% is good, but not elite for a guard).
• Requires better leadership (young team needs vocal presence).
• If he fails: Best as a #2 scorer on a contender (like Jamal Murray in Denver).

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…………..Anfernee SIMONS…………