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The 2026 free agent market is loaded with talent.
From sharpshooting wings to high-upside two-way big men, there are plenty of assets that have and will garner interest as the offseason continues to unfold.
Former Boston Celtics guard and Slam Dunk contest champion, Anfernee Simons, is one of them, and ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes the Los Angeles Lakers could be among the franchises intrigued by the 27-year-old veteran’s microwave scoring ability.
“There is a balancing act in how the Lakers could have cap space and also retain their free agents, including LeBron James,” Marks wrote last Saturday.
“The Lakers could bypass using cap space and retain their free agents. This scenario gives the Lakers better roster optionality in a trade, while also having their $15 million non-tax midlevel exception available.”
“Team needs: A two-way starting center, wing, shooting, and bench depth. Free agents who fit: LeBron James, Jalen Duren, Quentin Grimes, Landry Shamet, Mitchell Robinson, Peyton Watson, Nikola Vucevic, Ochai Agbaji, Anfernee Simons (among many others).”
After spending the first seven years of his professional career with the Portland Trail Blazers, the 1977 NBA champions traded Simons to the Boston Celtics for Jrue Holiday last July.
While the IMG product wasn’t the same 20+ points per game scorer in Boston, he was a solid No. 4-No. 5 scoring option for the storied Eastern Conference organization during his 49-game stint.
Simons averaged 14.2 points per game with the Celtics, shooting 44.0% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc before getting shipped to the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 5.
If the Lakers want to add a high-profile score-first wing to the second unit this summer, Simons could fit the bill, as his knack for getting to his spots with ease and being an immediate impact contributor for Los Angeles.
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