backcourt. Among the names on their radar, one stands out as a high-upside, cost-effective addition: Anfernee Simons.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Sam Gordon, the 26-year-old guard has emerged as a key free agency target for the Warriors. Golden State plans to deploy their mid-level exception (MLE) on an impactful guard who can immediately bolster their perimeter rotation, and Simons fits the profile perfectly.
A Former Rising Star Ready for a Fresh Start
Simons enters unrestricted free agency this summer after the conclusion of his four-year, $100 million rookie-scale extension with the Portland Trail Blazers. This past season, he split time between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, averaging 14.3 points per game while shooting an efficient 44% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range.
Standing at 6-3 with a solidly built frame, Simons brings the versatility to play both on and off the ball. He possesses a quick first step, the ability to finish above the rim, and a reliable three-point stroke. Gordon described him as a “former 20-plus-points-per-game scorer” who can serve as a “microwave scorer” — capable of catching fire quickly and creating offense in bunches.
This season exposed significant weaknesses in Golden State’s backcourt depth. Without Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler on the floor, the Warriors struggled mightily to generate consistent scoring and offensive creation, ultimately missing the playoffs. Simons represents a realistic solution to that problem.
What the Warriors Can Offer Simons
Financially, Simons aligns perfectly with Golden State’s situation. After earning $27.7 million in the final year of his previous deal, the cooled market for his archetype makes him an ideal candidate for a mid-level exception contract — a deal size the Warriors can comfortably fit within their cap structure.
While Simons was primarily a bench contributor in Boston (appearing in all 49 games as a reserve) and saw limited action in Chicago due to injuries, his trajectory just a couple of seasons ago positioned him as one of the league’s most promising young guards. In Golden State, he could find the expanded role he has been missing.
The Warriors’ environment — featuring elite offensive creators like Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green — offers Simons a chance to thrive. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he would add valuable depth alongside rising talents like Brandin Podziemski. His scoring instincts would provide another dynamic offensive option to complement the team’s star duo.
The Fit: Strengths and Realistic Limitations
On the offensive end, Simons’ skill set is intriguing. His ability to score in bunches and stretch the floor with his 38.5% three-point shooting this season would create spacing and additional attacking threats alongside Curry and Butler.
However, there are acknowledged limitations. Simons has never been regarded as an elite defender or a strong rebounder. The Warriors have long prioritized switchability, toughness, and perimeter defense. While his size and quickness could allow him to hold his own in targeted matchups — especially when surrounded by stronger defenders already on the roster — he is not expected to transform the team’s defensive identity.
A Strategic MLE Move
With big money already committed to Curry, Butler, and Green, the mid-level exception represents one of Golden State’s most realistic paths to adding meaningful talent. Simons is unlikely to linger on the open market for long, as multiple teams will be pursuing versatile guards who can provide instant offense without breaking the bank.
If the Warriors successfully land the 26-year-old, it could mark the beginning of a renewed backcourt identity — one that adds scoring punch and depth to a team that desperately needs it. The $100 million extension may now be in the rearview mirror, but for Golden State, acquiring a still-young microwave scorer at a more reasonable number could prove to be a savvy and impactful addition.
The Warriors’ offseason moves will shape their contention window. Pursuing Anfernee Simons signals a clear desire to address their most glaring roster weakness with a player who still possesses significant upside.