Looking ahead to the offseason, the Detroit Pistons have a massive void to fill, and pending free agent Anfernee Simons would be the ideal target to answer the team's questions.
The playmaker would be the exact type of signing that would take some persuasion for the fanbase to get behind, especially considering the team's defensive identity built under the leadership of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Detroit's offseason moves would certainly hinge on the team's success in the postseason, but assuming the team fails to achieve their championship goals, it seems like a safe bet to consider general manager Trajan Langdon and his staff may go back to the drawing board.
At the same time, it wouldn't be a shock to see the team look to bolster their roster if those NBA Finals dreams turn into a reality.
Simons may not be a target many fans have on their radar, but in a situation like Detroit, it could be the exact risk that pays off.
Anfernee Simons would answer offensive scoring & playmaking problem
The biggest gripe for the Pistons this season has been the team's lack of reliable playmaking behind star guard Cade Cunningham.
Not only has playmaking been an issue, but having an additional scoring option outside of Cunningham and Jalen Duren has been a problem at times, not to mention stability from beyond the arc.
Daniss Jenkins has somewhat answered the playmaking concerns, but he hasn't completely given the team enough confidence to suggest their problems have been solved.
The 26-year-old free agent would be a solid choice to address all of those needs. Simons averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on efficient shooting splits of 44.0% from field goal range and 38.5% from three this season between his stops with the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls
And while his stats may not suggest he could be the playmaking answer the team is seeking, he's proven during his time with the Portland Trail Blazers that he can be a reliable facilitator with the ball in his hands.
Of course, like every other player in the league, Simons' game offers some weaknesses.
Simons struggles defensively, but there's a reason to have hope
The one area that Simons has struggled the most during his career is on the defensive end, an area he's openly acknowledged as a weakness.
During his brief stint with the Celtics though, the guard flashes an extra effort on the defensive side of the court that alone covered up the concerning part of his game.
Simons claimed previously that his defensive lapses likely stemmed from his situation in Portland, where he never felt that the area of his game should be priortized.
Still, for Boston to get the best out of him on defense, it proves he's capable of at least being servicable.
If that is the case, a good value deal could make a signing for Simons a no-brainer, especially considering their roster contains defensive liabilities like Duncan Robinson.
Add us as a preferred source on Google