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Anfernee Simons was once rumored to be a free agent target for the Golden State Warriors. The score-first guard enjoyed a strong season, where he shone for both the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls. Adding him to Steve Kerr's roster, likely as some additional firepower off the bench, was certainly a tantalizing prospect.
However, Simons ultimately ended up signing a two-year $12.3 million deal to join the Philadelphia 76ers. He will now team up with former Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown, who was recently traded to Nick Nurse's team in a move that shocked the entire league. According to Nick Friedell of The Athletic, the Warriors opted to pass on Simons in order to retain financial flexibility to continue pursuing LeBron James, who is currently navigating unrestricted free agency.
“If the Warriors signed Simons for the money the Sixers paid him, they would have likely taken themselves out of contention for James,” Friedell wrote. "To the fans who have watched the Warriors swing and miss on free agents and various trade targets over the last few years, watching Simons sign with another team was painful."
If the Warriors are able to entice LeBron to the Bay Area, missing out on Simons will quickly become an afterthought. However, should LeBron opt to head elsewhere for what could be his final season in the NBA, Warriors fans will likely air their frustration at letting a talented scorer pass them by.
Golden State is certainly among the front-runners to acquire the veteran superstar. However, they're not the only team in the running. As such, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Joe Lacob would be wise to start putting contingency plans into place now, just in case LeBron's decision doesn't go their way.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Key reason Warriors passed on Anfernee Simons revealed
Continue reading...
However, Simons ultimately ended up signing a two-year $12.3 million deal to join the Philadelphia 76ers. He will now team up with former Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown, who was recently traded to Nick Nurse's team in a move that shocked the entire league. According to Nick Friedell of The Athletic, the Warriors opted to pass on Simons in order to retain financial flexibility to continue pursuing LeBron James, who is currently navigating unrestricted free agency.
“If the Warriors signed Simons for the money the Sixers paid him, they would have likely taken themselves out of contention for James,” Friedell wrote. "To the fans who have watched the Warriors swing and miss on free agents and various trade targets over the last few years, watching Simons sign with another team was painful."
If the Warriors are able to entice LeBron to the Bay Area, missing out on Simons will quickly become an afterthought. However, should LeBron opt to head elsewhere for what could be his final season in the NBA, Warriors fans will likely air their frustration at letting a talented scorer pass them by.
Golden State is certainly among the front-runners to acquire the veteran superstar. However, they're not the only team in the running. As such, Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Joe Lacob would be wise to start putting contingency plans into place now, just in case LeBron's decision doesn't go their way.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Key reason Warriors passed on Anfernee Simons revealed
Continue reading...
