Sneaky perfect Spurs trade target should be available this offseason

As the 2024-25 season winds down, San Antonio Spurs fans are likely keeping a close eye on the standings to see who wins and who loses. That is due to the Spurs having their pick as well as the Atlanta Hawks' selection in this year's draft.

While the Spurs are out of playoff contention, they are in a battle of sorts with the Portland Trail Blazers to see who will have the worst record and, therefore, the better pick. However, both teams could potentially be trade partners this summer.

The Trail Blazers have a good problem with 2023 third overall pick Scoot Henderson finally living up to expectations. Nevertheless, he is stuck playing behind starting point guard Anfernee Simons.

Simons has had a down season compared to his career high last year, when he posted an impressive 22.6 points, 5.6 assists, and shot 38.5% on 8.8 3-point attempts per game. His decline, as well as Henderson's ascendance, makes him a prime trade candidate.

Especially since he's entering the final season of his contract. That could make him the perfect target for the Spurs, who will likely need a backup point guard with Chris Paul either retiring or moving on to another team. Better still, Simons' contract is affordable and, therefore, easy to potentially trade for.

The Spurs should trade for Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons

Matching salaries would be fairly easy with the Spurs having to trade either Harrison Barnes or Keldon Johnson for Simons. Between the two players, the most obvious trade candidate would be Barnes, though he has proven to be the perfect power forward to play next to Victor Wembanyama.

Trading him would also likely mean that San Antonio would have to part with one of their two 2025 first-round picks, possibly their own, which is currently projected to be the 8th selection. On the other hand, if they were to trade Johnson instead, they might be able to get away with including Atlanta's pick, which is currently projected to be the 14th selection.

Johnson has been playing much better of late, averaging 16.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in just 25.3 minutes, while Simons' trade value is lower than it once was. In that case, then it would be a smart move for San Antonio considering what Simons would bring to the table.

Simons would be a perfect fit for the Spurs as a sixth man

He is an elite, high-volume three-point shooter, having buried 38.4% of his 8.5 three-point attempts over the last five seasons and 20 points per game in that span. That makes him among the best high-volume shooters in the league.

It would allow San Antonio to solve one of their biggest problems, which is 3-point shooting, with them ranking 22nd in 3-point percentage this season. Since De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle are likely the starting backcourt next season, swapping out Johnson for Simons would allow San Antonio to run a 3-man guard rotation.

Pair him with Julian Champagnie, Jeremy Sochan, and a real backup center, and then the Spurs would have a much better rotation than they do now. It may cost them a fan favorite in Johnson, but it could be just what San Antonio needs.