Report: Heat seen as ‘potential landing spot’ for Anfernee Simons

There are nine games–and 16 days–remaining in the 2024-25 NBA Season. The Miami Heat are almost certainly a lock to make the play-in game–which begins April 15–as they are currently the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Though that doesn’t mean their name isn’t already being floated out for players in other places–no matter how reputable or realistic.

On Friday, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel reported that the Heat will be a “potential landing spot” for a tantalizing 6-foot-3 combo guard out West.

Miami Heat seen as ‘potential landing spot’ for Anfernee Simons:

We are less than two calendar years removed from the Heat being in the thick of the Damian Lillard sweepstakes for the entire summer. Now, according to Siegel, they could be a potential landing spot for seventh-year guard Anfernee Simons.

“Another team discussed as a potential landing spot for Simons is the Miami Heat, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “With Butler gone, the Heat are focused on moving forward with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo as the focal points on their roster. Miami would be a lot more comfortable if Herro wasn’t always tasked with the ‘point guard role,’ and moving on from Terry Rozier will be one of their main goals in the offseason.

“Simons is an underrated and interesting name to track heading into the offseason. While the Blazers have not firmly put him on the trade block, his name has come up in conversations with rival teams over the last year, sources said.”

It’s worth mentioning that the Trail Blazers were attempting to move Anfernee Simons (plus Jerami Grant) last summer, but were unable to find a suitor.

In 69 games, he is averaging 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists on 42.9 percent shooting, including 36.6 percent from 3-point range (8.5 3PA) and 90.5 percent from the charity stripe.

Simons, 25, will be entering the final year of his contract next season at $27.7 million. He will be eligible for an extension this offseason.

The Heat are kings of interest around the league. This report does not mean the Heat will engage. Though it would also be very peculiar for Pat Riley, Andy Elisburg and the rest of the Heat brass to engage with Portland for a trade for another 6-foot-3 (Lillard is listed at 6-2 … semantics) scoring guard after one side failed to negotiate the first time. I’m not in that front office nor do I have sources, but I am weary those fences have mended since.

Simons also has a very similar playstyle to first-year All-Star guard Tyler Herro. Both players are also the same age (Simons is roughly six months older) and making similar money.

It would be a redundant skillset having those two playing alongside each other. And Herro is an arguably better player. Unless the Heat fetch a crop of assets or use Herro to consolidate for a bigger piece, Simons’ hypothetical fit would be pretty murky–at best.

Herro will be making north of $3 million more with one extra year on his contract. That’s perhaps the greatest appeal–outside of Simons not having the $2.5 million of unlikely bonuses that Herro owns, which Miami’s had to navigate the last couple of seasons.

Herro will also be extension-eligible after this season. Assuming Miami did trade him (how many times have we said that, eh?) this offseason, you’d have to find a suitor willing to pay him. The same goes for Simons.

Both players are skilled combo guards whose ceilings are, at best, league-average defenders. One just happens to be an All-Star and two inches taller.

Do you think the Heat should be in for Simons’ services this offseason? Let us know in the comments!

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