The Golden State Warriors enter this offseason with a clear mission: build a stronger supporting cast around Stephen Curry to keep their championship contention window open in a loaded Western Conference. With Curry still operating at an elite level, the front office is focused on upgrading the backcourt through targeted additions rather than splashy, high-cost moves.
According to reports, two intriguing guards from the Chicago Bulls orbit — Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton — have surfaced as early priorities for the Warriors as unrestricted free agents. Both players can be pursued using the mid-level exception (MLE), aligning with Golden State’s current salary cap constraints.
Anfernee Simons: A High-Upside Scoring Threat
At 26 years old and standing 6-foot-3, Anfernee Simons remains in the prime of his career and brings proven scoring ability. During his time with the Portland Trail Blazers, Simons established himself as a dynamic offensive option, averaging 21.1 points per game across the 2022-24 seasons and posting a career-high 22.6 points per game the following year.
His ability to score on or off the ball makes him a natural complementary piece alongside Curry. After a stint with the Boston Celtics where his role shifted to the bench and a brief, injury-shortened stay in Chicago (limited to just six games), Simons will hit the open market this summer as the final year of his four-year, $100 million contract expires.
For the Warriors, Simons represents a low-risk, high-reward addition. While he is not an elite defender or rebounder, Golden State’s motion-based system has historically thrived on spacing, pace, and offensive creativity rather than traditional size and physicality in the backcourt.
Collin Sexton: Efficient Scoring and Value
Collin Sexton offers another compelling option at a more team-friendly price point. The 6-foot-3 guard is also entering unrestricted free agency after the final year of his four-year, $72 million deal originally signed with the Utah Jazz.
Sexton’s resume includes strong scoring outbursts, particularly during his early years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2024-25 with the Jazz, he delivered an efficient 18.4 points per game on solid shooting splits of .480/.406/.865. Though his role diminished to a bench position after a mid-season move to the Bulls, his track record as a secondary creator and scorer fits the Warriors’ needs.
Like Simons, Sexton is not a lockdown defender, but his ability to attack off the dribble and provide instant offense could prove valuable in Golden State’s ecosystem, where off-ball movement and three-point shooting are emphasized.
Strategic Fit and Championship Aspirations
By focusing on the mid-level exception, the Warriors can add impactful guards without sacrificing future flexibility. Neither Simons nor Sexton demands a max-level contract, allowing the franchise to preserve resources for potential future superstar pursuits while immediately addressing Curry’s need for reliable scoring help.
The backcourt duo wouldn’t transform the lineup into a massive frontcourt, but they align with the style that has defined Golden State’s success in recent years: speed, skill, and offensive fluidity.
As the free agency period approaches, these two names highlight the Warriors’ pragmatic approach. While neither is a finished product defensively, their offensive instincts could help elevate the supporting cast around Stephen Curry and keep the Dubs competitive deep into the postseason.
The coming weeks will be critical. If Golden State can land one or both of these guards, it could provide the necessary spark to make another serious run at a title. The championship window, while narrower than in previous years, remains very much alive with Curry at the helm.