The Golden State Warriors’ run at Giannis Antetokounmpo ended in disappointment when the superstar forward wound up with the Miami Heat last week, and now Miami could be positioned to swipe another target from right under their nose.
That player is Anfernee Simons, one of the more intriguing guards still available in free agency. The 27-year-old has emerged as a major name for both the Warriors and the Heat, with the two teams reportedly standing out as his main options while he weighs his next move.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reinforced that picture during his Bleacher Report live stream on Wednesday.
"Anfernee Simons, to my understanding, has opportunity in Golden State as well as Miami, and I think there's another team in the mix as well," Fischer said.
Golden State already made a move on Wednesday, agreeing to a two-year, $11 million deal with De'Anthony Melton. Even after that addition, the Warriors could still use another guard who brings more offense, and Simons would fit neatly alongside Melton, Brandin Podziemski and Stephen Curry in a four-guard group.
Miami, meanwhile, has its own reason to chase shooting. After pairing Antetokounmpo with Bam Adebayo, the Heat took their first notable free agency step on Tuesday by signing Tim Hardaway Jr. from the Denver Nuggets.
Simons brings exactly the kind of scoring punch both teams are hunting. He has twice averaged more than 21 points in a season and owns a career 38.1% mark from 3-point range on 6.6 attempts per game. Last season, he posted 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 24.9 minutes with the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, while shooting 44% from the floor and 38.5% from deep.
There’s also another layer to this chase: LeBron James. According to the reporting, Simons’ decision could end up being influenced by James as Golden State and Miami continue making their pitches to the four-time MVP. If the Warriors miss out on James in a blockbuster free agency move, they’d gain more financial flexibility, which could help them land Simons.
For Miami, the financial picture is tighter. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that the Heat’s restraints make a Simons addition difficult no matter what happens with James, even though Fischer said Miami remains in the mix for the 6-foot-3 guard.
The dream scenario for either team would be landing both James and Simons, but that path looks highly unlikely unless the 41-year-old is willing to take the veteran minimum.
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