The Los Angeles Lakers head into the offseason facing a clear mandate: rebuild the supporting cast around what could be one of the most potent big three’s in the league. With Austin Reaves and potentially LeBron James returning alongside Luka Doncic, the foundation is elite. Yet the NBA Playoffs brutally exposed the reality that depth—particularly scoring punch and guard play off the bench—simply wasn’t good enough to sustain a championship push.
When Luka rested or checked out, the offense often stalled. Rui Hachimura delivered reliable stretch-forward production, but he isn’t a natural shot creator who can generate his own looks or collapse defenses consistently. The team’s lack of secondary guard creation became a glaring liability. That’s why Rob Pelinka should seriously target Anfernee Simons in free agency.
The soon-to-be 27-year-old guard is entering unrestricted free agency and profiles as the exact bench spark the Lakers have been missing.
A Career in Motion
Simons began the 2025 offseason on the move, traded to the Boston Celtics in a cost-cutting deal centered around Jrue Holiday. In Boston, he initially struggled to find rhythm but eventually carved out a role as a bench bucket-getter. He was later dealt to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline, appeared in just six games with the Bulls, and sat out the remainder of the season.
Across 55 total games, Simons averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 44.0% from the field and 38.5% from three. These aren’t superstar numbers, but they reflect the production of a microwave scorer who can ignite a second unit on any given night.
Defensive Concerns and Recent Progress
Simons’ biggest knock throughout his seven seasons—primarily with the Portland Trail Blazers—has been defense. He has historically shown inconsistent effort and struggled to stay in front of quicker guards. For a Luka Doncic-led team that already carries defensive questions at times, that profile raises valid fit concerns.
However, there are two important counters. First, Simons showed genuine buy-in on the defensive end with the Celtics. While he wasn’t a lockdown stopper or playmaker, he competed harder, walling up and giving consistent effort—something Lakers fans and coaches would welcome. Boston’s elite defensive infrastructure helped hide his limitations, but the growth in attitude is real.
Second, the Lakers must be pragmatic. True two-way stars command maximum money. Pelinka’s job is to find players who fill specific roles efficiently. Simons is a scoring guard who can run the second unit and also complement the stars.
Offensive Versatility That Fits Perfectly
What makes Simons particularly intriguing is his evolution as a shooter. Long regarded as a primary shot creator off the dribble, he made noticeable strides as a catch-and-shoot threat. His catch-and-shoot three-point percentage rose from 37.7% the previous season to 42.9% last year. He grew comfortable feasting on drive-and-kick opportunities in Boston—precisely the kind of gravity he could provide playing off Luka, LeBron, or Austin Reaves.
The Lakers ranked among the bottom of the league in three-pointers made per game during the regular season and lacked consistent bench shot creation in the postseason. Simons directly addresses both issues. He can initiate for the reserves or function as a lethal off-ball weapon when the stars are on the floor.
At an expected price point of no more than around $12 million per season, he represents outstanding value for a player with his skill set and age.
A Silent 14-Point Assassin
The West is in trouble. A silent 14-point assassin who shot 42.9% from deep is about to turn the Lakers’ bench into a nightmare. He’s not a superstar, but he kills like one. Wake up.
Simons isn’t going to dominate on both ends or anchor a defense, but he doesn’t need to. On a roster headlined by Luka Doncic’s playmaking genius, LeBron’s veteran brilliance, and Reaves’ reliability, Simons’ role is clear: provide instant offense, stretch the floor, and give the Lakers a credible offensive answer when the starters rest.
If Pelinka can secure him this summer, the Lakers’ second unit transforms from a liability into a weapon. And in a stacked Western Conference, that upgrade could be the difference between another early exit and a legitimate title contention run.