3 Outside-the-box trade targets Lakers should pivot to pursuing

Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers won 21 games during the 2023-24 season. That doesn't necessarily mean that Portland would be open to a potential trade, but it would behoove the Los Angeles Lakers to kick the tires on a possible deal for Anfernee Simons.

One of the most explosive scorers in the NBA, Simons fits the mold of the high-level scorer Los Angeles seems to want—and trading for him wouldn't necessarily break the bank.

Simons finished the 2023-24 season with averages of 22.6 points, 5.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 three-point field goals made per game. He shot 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 91.6 percent at the free-throw line, further establishing himself as one of the best shooters in the NBA.

On a team with a playmaker the caliber of LeBron James, it stands to reason that Simons could be even more efficient—emphasized by his 41.7 percent shooting on catch-and-shoot 3s.

Simons is owed $25,892,857 for the 2024-25 season and will make $27,678,571 in 2025-26—figures that rest well below 20 percent of the salary cap. That makes him a far more affordable option than some of the other players with similar skill sets.

Still just 25 years of age, the Lakers could get a potential franchise pillar in Simons for an affordable price—and his 6'9" wingspan suggests there's still defensive upside to explore.