5 spicy summer trades that would make the Spurs surefire contenders

The Spurs land Anfernee Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers

With teams in need of help at point guard likely to pursue Atlanta's and Cleveland's star guards, the Spurs could consider targeting another playmaker instead. Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons would make for an intriguing trade target given how well he'd fit on the Spurs in addition to his possible price.

The Blazers might not get more than a potential lottery pick for Simons unless they are willing to take back a bad or long-term salary. The Spurs could instead offer Keldon Johnson and Chicago's top-10 protected 2025. First for Simons, giving Portland a talented small forward on a good contract who is young enough to be part of their rebuild.

Meanwhile, the Spurs would add an elite high-volume shooter to their backcourt alongside Devin Vassell and give the starting lineup plenty of spacing around Wembanyama.

Although he may not be on the same level of playmaker as Young, Murray, Mitchell, or Garland, he did average a career-high 5.3 assists per game this past season. San Antonio also may not rely on just one shot creator, with Wembanyama showing he is a talented passer in his own right. That would allow Simons to do what he does best: get buckets.