All in!! Anfernee Simons 2.0

[RookieStar]

Feels like the media has settled on Anthony, Howard, and a 2025 FR for Simons. On paper that is a good trade for Orlando. But leads to a very difficult depth chart question. Is moral OK with Caldwell-Pope as a bench player?

I guess the depth chart would be:
Suggs/Black
Simons/Caldwell-Pope
F-Wagner/da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Bitadze/Carter

Looking at that, there is clear dead-weight in Harris and Houstan (and Orlando still needs a 3rd string Center).

In the end, that trade is better than no trade. But an "upset" Caldwell-Pope will be toxic in the locker room, in my opinion.

Simons wouldnt be a starter if we trade for him

[drsd]

Simons wouldnt be a starter if we trade for him

If that was true, then the Magic should just trade Anthony for Luke Kennard and call it a day!

[basketballRob]

Simons wouldnt be a starter if we trade for him

If that was true, then the Magic should just trade Anthony for Luke Kennard and call it a day!

Memphis needs a wing, not Cole

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[Skybox]

Simons wouldnt be a starter if we trade for him

If that was true, then the Magic should just trade Anthony for Luke Kennard and call it a day!

Memphis needs a wing, not Cole

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And we need a playmaker who is an elite shooter, not just an elite spot up guy…and, preferably young enough to stick around.

[basketballRob]

If that was true, then the Magic should just trade Anthony for Luke Kennard and call it a day!

Memphis needs a wing, not Cole

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And we need a playmaker who is an elite shooter, not just an elite spot up guy…and, preferably young enough to stick around.

You do, but management doesn't

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[Rainwater]

Feels like the media has settled on Anthony, Howard, and a 2025 FR for Simons. On paper that is a good trade for Orlando. But leads to a very difficult depth chart question. Is moral OK with Caldwell-Pope as a bench player?

I guess the depth chart would be:
Suggs/Black
Simons/Caldwell-Pope
F-Wagner/da Silva
Banchero/Isaac
Bitadze/Carter

Looking at that, there is clear dead-weight in Harris and Houstan (and Orlando still needs a 3rd string Center).

In the end, that trade is better than no trade. But an "upset" Caldwell-Pope will be toxic in the locker room, in my opinion.

Simons wouldnt be a starter if we trade for him

Yeah, don’t want him starting either. I love KCP’s defense. Simons can have Cole’s role.

[three3d]

In the Pistons game Paolo and Franz each had 7 assists, does anyone know the assist stats for the rest of the team that night?

WCJ: 3 assists
Suggs: 3 assists
AB : 2 assists THATS ALL. Nobody else had a single assist

The offense is generated through Paolo and Franz HEAVILY. It’s easier said than done if Paolo or Franz have the ball you key in on those two guys. BUT what happens when you add a guard ala Simons in between Paolo and Franz? Now you’re playing basketball where neither Paolo or Franz are the main focal point. You don’t know where the offense is going to be initiated from, now Paolo AND Franz are freed from guard duties at times and you have Paolo and Franz playing on both wings or elbow and Simons can decide which half of the court to set up on based off how the defense adjusts to having to respect 3 players .

[Skybox]

In the Pistons game Paolo and Franz each had 7 assists, does anyone know the assist stats for the rest of the team that night?

WCJ: 3 assists
Suggs: 3 assists
AB : 2 assists THATS ALL. Nobody else had a single assist

The offense is generated through Paolo and Franz HEAVILY. It’s easier said than done if Paolo or Franz have the ball you key in on those two guys. BUT what happens when you add a guard ala Simons in between Paolo and Franz? Now you’re playing basketball where neither Paolo or Franz are the main focal point. You don’t know where the offense is going to be initiated from, now Paolo AND Franz are freed from guard duties at times and you have Paolo and Franz playing on both wings or elbow and Simons can decide which half of the court to set up on based off how the defense adjusts to having to respect 3 players .

YES...and, he has the skillset to manage the second unit for many of his minutes...but, then, get plenty of minutes with P&F as well, dropping back into the secondary role that he also has elite skill as a spot-up role player. This kills me - it's such an obvious boost to our offense with minimal downside...We can spend at the TD and then focus summer efforts on re-sorting whichever salaries are no longer sensible...likely WCJ (assuming Cole - among others, went out for Simons) or Moe or even Isaac, perhaps even KCP to a Western contender for expirings, pick(s), maybe a prospect - We could see who fits, who no longer does, who just isn't a good use of $XXX given the team's new construction/draft, etc. These things can be sorted out...if it's really looking good, sometimes it's SMART to attach picks to help offload guys/salaries, etc...it's just all big picture. When you overpay someone - THAT's the bad move, getting rid of the deal, even at some cost, can just be the painful repair-but the math works.

Obviously, more threats coming from different areas is always positive as long as they're not a-holes that can't play together. I would add Kuzma to that list (as someone mentioned him as an alternative). He's throwing out his Butler tantrum - without having a fraction of as much impact on winning as Butler's. Kuzma should just keep his mouth shut and try to ball out...Simons has been all class throughout tanking, interviews, patience with his management...free the man.

[basketballRob]

In the Pistons game Paolo and Franz each had 7 assists, does anyone know the assist stats for the rest of the team that night?

WCJ: 3 assists
Suggs: 3 assists
AB : 2 assists THATS ALL. Nobody else had a single assist

The offense is generated through Paolo and Franz HEAVILY. It’s easier said than done if Paolo or Franz have the ball you key in on those two guys. BUT what happens when you add a guard ala Simons in between Paolo and Franz? Now you’re playing basketball where neither Paolo or Franz are the main focal point. You don’t know where the offense is going to be initiated from, now Paolo AND Franz are freed from guard duties at times and you have Paolo and Franz playing on both wings or elbow and Simons can decide which half of the court to set up on based off how the defense adjusts to having to respect 3 players .

Yep, Paolo, and Franz are our PGs. The front office doesn't want a traditional PG.



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[three3d]

In the Pistons game Paolo and Franz each had 7 assists, does anyone know the assist stats for the rest of the team that night?

WCJ: 3 assists
Suggs: 3 assists
AB : 2 assists THATS ALL. Nobody else had a single assist

The offense is generated through Paolo and Franz HEAVILY. It’s easier said than done if Paolo or Franz have the ball you key in on those two guys. BUT what happens when you add a guard ala Simons in between Paolo and Franz? Now you’re playing basketball where neither Paolo or Franz are the main focal point. You don’t know where the offense is going to be initiated from, now Paolo AND Franz are freed from guard duties at times and you have Paolo and Franz playing on both wings or elbow and Simons can decide which half of the court to set up on based off how the defense adjusts to having to respect 3 players .

Yep, Paolo, and Franz are our PGs. The front office doesn't want a traditional PG.



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I’m actually good with not having a traditional PG as long as said player has combo guard abilities. I think it’s pretty clear Simmons can play between both positions and he plays with control. I LOVE how Suggs plays and we can’t change his fierce competitiveness, let Suggs be Suggs even though that means coming with foul trouble often.

[drsd]

I’m actually good with not having a traditional PG as long as said player has combo guard abilities. I think it’s pretty clear Simmons can play between both positions and he plays with control. I LOVE how Suggs plays and we can’t change his fierce competitiveness, let Suggs be Suggs even though that means coming with foul trouble often.

This team will focus on F-Wagner and Banchero as lead ball-handlers. But for that to work, spacing is needed meaning that both starting guards need to be 38% three point shooters. Add both, and the team can succeed.

Right now, that Orlando is the 4th worst 3 pt. shooting team in the history of the NBA, improved shooting and not improved ball-handling MUST be the team's A1 priority. I really don't get why all don't agree with that narrative.

[tiderulz]

In the Pistons game Paolo and Franz each had 7 assists, does anyone know the assist stats for the rest of the team that night?

WCJ: 3 assists
Suggs: 3 assists
AB : 2 assists THATS ALL. Nobody else had a single assist

The offense is generated through Paolo and Franz HEAVILY. It’s easier said than done if Paolo or Franz have the ball you key in on those two guys. BUT what happens when you add a guard ala Simons in between Paolo and Franz? Now you’re playing basketball where neither Paolo or Franz are the main focal point. You don’t know where the offense is going to be initiated from, now Paolo AND Franz are freed from guard duties at times and you have Paolo and Franz playing on both wings or elbow and Simons can decide which half of the court to set up on based off how the defense adjusts to having to respect 3 players .

Yep, Paolo, and Franz are our PGs. The front office doesn't want a traditional PG.



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yep, doesnt matter that their star player wants one

[three3d]

I’m actually good with not having a traditional PG as long as said player has combo guard abilities. I think it’s pretty clear Simmons can play between both positions and he plays with control. I LOVE how Suggs plays and we can’t change his fierce competitiveness, let Suggs be Suggs even though that means coming with foul trouble often.

This team will focus on F-Wagner and Banchero as lead ball-handlers. But for that to work, spacing is needed meaning that both starting guards need to be 38% three point shooters. Add both, and the team can succeed.

Right now, that Orlando is the 4th worst 3 pt. shooting team in the history of the NBA, improved shooting and not improved ball-handling MUST be the team's A1 priority. I really don't get why all don't agree with that narrative.

I don’t get why you don’t get that they need to do both and I don’t get why you don’t get Simons does both of those things.

[drsd]

I’m actually good with not having a traditional PG as long as said player has combo guard abilities. I think it’s pretty clear Simmons can play between both positions and he plays with control. I LOVE how Suggs plays and we can’t change his fierce competitiveness, let Suggs be Suggs even though that means coming with foul trouble often.

This team will focus on F-Wagner and Banchero as lead ball-handlers. But for that to work, spacing is needed meaning that both starting guards need to be 38% three point shooters. Add both, and the team can succeed.

Right now, that Orlando is the 4th worst 3 pt. shooting team in the history of the NBA, improved shooting and not improved ball-handling MUST be the team's A1 priority. I really don't get why all don't agree with that narrative.

I don’t get why you don’t get that they need to do both and I don’t get why you don’t get Simons does both of those things.

What I am saying about Simons is that if the Magic trade for him, it is as a starting SG. There is no point in trading for him to be a bench guy.

If the goal is to get a sniper bench SG, there are guys like Luke Kennard that offer the same skill without the same ego.

As to the PG needs, let's save that "argument" for other threads.

[DusterBuster]

This team will focus on F-Wagner and Banchero as lead ball-handlers. But for that to work, spacing is needed meaning that both starting guards need to be 38% three point shooters. Add both, and the team can succeed.

Right now, that Orlando is the 4th worst 3 pt. shooting team in the history of the NBA, improved shooting and not improved ball-handling MUST be the team's A1 priority. I really don't get why all don't agree with that narrative.

I don’t get why you don’t get that they need to do both and I don’t get why you don’t get Simons does both of those things.

What I am saying about Simons is that if the Magic trade for him, it is as a starting SG. There is no point in trading for him to be a bench guy.

If the goal is to get a sniper bench SG, there are guys like Luke Kennard that offer the same skill without the same ego.

As to the PG needs, let's save that "argument" for other threads.

Yeah, trading for Simons to make him a 6th man is kind of silly imho.

[Residual-Heat]

Simons definitely wouldn't be starting IMO. We need him off the bench 25ish MPG. He's not going to get the same number of touches as he had in portland. We also need bench scoring after losing Mo, and we cant compromise our defense too much.

[Skybox]

I don’t get why you don’t get that they need to do both and I don’t get why you don’t get Simons does both of those things.

What I am saying about Simons is that if the Magic trade for him, it is as a starting SG. There is no point in trading for him to be a bench guy.

If the goal is to get a sniper bench SG, there are guys like Luke Kennard that offer the same skill without the same ego.

As to the PG needs, let's save that "argument" for other threads.

Yeah, trading for Simons to make him a 6th man is kind of silly imho.

don't think "6th Man = Cole Anthony" or "6th Man gives our starters a breather"

think "Manu Ginobili", "25+ minutes and, perhaps, 20 ppg", come off the bench and bury the opposing team that's been worked over by Suggs & KCP, also when you have our defense and a scorer like that - you're never out of a game. Years ago, it was not uncommon for a 6th man to be among the better players on the team...coming at other teams in waves, especially if the waves are relentless and different, would give ORL the ability to develop & abuse mismatches, show different looks, etc. We can talk about Paolo & Franz being the primary playmakers all day, but they need more...that is an exciting but clearly limited vision.

Sounds an awful lot like a silly reflexive cliche to think that adding talent that can actually dribble a basketball is a "threat" to Paolo & Franz. BS...they are stars, they WANT talent around them - they're not scared of Anfernee Simons taking over the team!!!

and, if he were good enough to do it - they'd be psyched. Better players make the team better. Pretty simple concept.

[three3d]

The triangle offense helped three-point shooters on the Chicago Bulls by creating open spaces and opportunities for shooting. The offense's spacing and constant movement allowed players to exploit defensive weaknesses and take advantage of open spots.
Explanation

Spacing

The triangle offense's spacing allowed players to move around the court freely, creating open spots for shooting.

Movement

The offense emphasized constant motion, passing, and cutting to create scoring opportunities.

Ball movement
The offense prioritized pick and rolls and off-ball motion, which created a constant flow and rhythm


This can be EASILY ran by us with the Simons addition. Goga is good enough passing out of the post either high or low and off the elbows handing off. You get all that motion for Paolo, Franz, and Simons moving around cutting after getting Goga the ball. Goga is also a lob threat himself rolling to the basket.

[basketballRob]

The only way the Magic trade for Simons is if he agreed to a 6th man-type contract extension. That's around $13-16m a year, not $25-30m.

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[three3d]

The only way the Magic trade for Simons is if he agreed to a 6th man-type contract extension. That's around $13-16m a year, not $25-30m.

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A 25 year old that can give you 20 ppg at around 38% 3PT shooting plus plays unselfishly along with not being a club distraction or head case should be worth that price