If there’s one glaring weakness the Golden State Warriors have exposed this season, it’s the lack of reliable offensive firepower behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. When those two veterans are sidelined, the Warriors have repeatedly struggled to generate consistent scoring from the rest of the roster. Moses Moody showed flashes of becoming that go-to guy during his career year, but persistent injury issues have derailed his momentum.
Enter Anfernee Simons — the explosive shooting guard whom Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has labeled a “dream” free-agent addition for Golden State. Simons embodies the type of flamethrower secondary or tertiary scorer the Warriors have sorely missed in recent years: a high-volume, high-efficiency shooter capable of creating his own shot and stretching the floor.
Buckley noted that while the Dubs might pursue bigger swings on the trade market, their free-agency approach would need to be more calculated. “Like, say, hoping that the mini-midlevel is enough to land Simons as both an instant-offense spark and a non-Steph Curry spacer,” he wrote. Buckley acknowledged the obvious drawback: “Simons is such a dreadful defender that his minutes will always be somewhat limited on a team with win-now intentions, but Golden State might be desperate enough for non-Curry scoring that it’d consider Simons as a top target.”
Through 55 regular-season games in the 2025-26 campaign — split between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls — Simons has delivered solid production: 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He’s shooting an impressive 44% from the field and a scorching 38.5% from three-point range, proving he remains a potent offensive threat even in a reduced role.
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Impressed By Simons
Simons spent the first half of the season with the Celtics, primarily serving as a sixth man who provided instant scoring punch off the bench. One of his standout performances came on January 15 against the Miami Heat, when he dropped 39 points in a 119-114 Boston victory.
In the postgame press conference, Jaylen Brown couldn’t hide his admiration:
“That was an amazing performance off the bench,” Brown said. “That was one of his best performances of the year, and we needed every basket…Yeah, I said it. That boy can play. He’s probably more talented than the role that he’s placed in. You know, I think that’s kind of obvious.”
Brown continued with high praise for Simons’ character and approach:
“I have hella respect for him to come out and play winning basketball and do what the team needs to do on a night-in and night-out basis, doesn’t complain, just brings good energy. And just contributes in a positive way…He’s learning, he’s growing, he’s coming into his own, he’s developing. Tonight was an example of that.”
That kind of scoring instinct and positive mentality is exactly what Golden State could use in its second unit. Pairing Simons with the promising Brandin Podziemski could create one of the most dynamic guard duos off the bench in the NBA — a combination capable of lighting up the scoreboard when Curry rests.
Golden State Warriors Could Sign Simons
Simons is in the final year of his four-year, $100 million contract and will hit unrestricted free agency this summer. Given his current production and defensive limitations, he is unlikely to command anywhere near his current salary on the open market. That financial reality could make him an attainable target for the Warriors, who may be able to lure him to the Bay Area with a more modest deal.
The opportunity to play alongside future Hall of Famers like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green — in a winning environment with championship pedigree — would be a major draw for a 26-year-old scorer looking to elevate his game and chase titles.
For Golden State, Simons would bring reliable scoring, secondary ball-handling, and elite spacing. His ability to drain threes at a 38.5% clip would force defenses to stay honest, creating driving lanes and open looks for everyone else. While his defense remains a clear concern on a win-now roster, the Warriors’ veteran leadership and defensive schemes (anchored by Green) could help mitigate those issues in limited, high-impact minutes.
Of course, the Dubs would face stiff competition in free agency. Simons’ offensive talent hasn’t gone unnoticed league-wide, and several teams could view him as a cost-effective way to add instant firepower.
Still, if Golden State is serious about injecting more scoring punch into its rotation without breaking the bank, Anfernee Simons stands out as an intriguing — and potentially dream — fit. A human flamethrower who can heat up in a hurry, Simons might just be the spark the Warriors need to keep their championship window open. The question is whether they can outbid the rest of the league to bring his scorching shooting to Chase Center.