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Cavaliers to work out guard Anfernee Simons before NBA Draft

By Evan Dammarell

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 14: IMG Academy Ascenders guard Anfernee Simons (3) shoots the ball during the first half of the Spalding Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between the Vermont Academy Wildcats and the IMG Academy Post Grad Ascenders on January 14, 2018, at the Blake Arena in Springfield, MA .(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 14: IMG Academy Ascenders guard Anfernee Simons (3) shoots the ball during the first half of the Spalding Hoophall Classic high school basketball game between the Vermont Academy Wildcats and the IMG Academy Post Grad Ascenders on January 14, 2018, at the Blake Arena in Springfield, MA .(Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers are planning on bringing in guard Anfernee Simons before the 2018 NBA Draft. The former five-star recruit would be a project but could pay off in the long run.

With a little over a week to go until the 2018 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers are entering crunch time. They have worked out a litany of players before the draft and the latest will be guard Anfernee Simons.

Per the Orlando Sentinel’s Joshua Robbins:

Simons is a 6-foot-4 combo guard who spent his last season at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

He was originally committed to play for the University of Louisville last season but decommitted after the school’s infamous 2015 sex scandal. Instead, the former five-star recruit spent the last year honing his craft at the IMG Academy.

While there, Simons averaged 20.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He was clearly a step above the high school level competition and was able to showcase what made him a five-star recruit:

The thing is, Simons did all of this against high school level competition. He did himself a huge favor by getting out of dodge in Louisville but not playing against collegiate level competition has hurt his stock.

Nonetheless, even though he faced lesser competition, Simons was able to impress NBA scouts as he showcased his abilities.

At 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Simons feasted on opponents with lockdown defense and plenty of high flying dunks. When he isn’t attacking the rack, he has also showcased great three-point shooting stroke, connecting on 40.0 percent of his attempts last year. He also showcased an ability to be a reliable point after averaging 4.4 assists last year.

He will not be ready day one in the NBA but with proper coaching and experience playing at the top level, he could be special with time.

Now that you have gotten to know Simons as a player, how would he fit in with the Cavaliers?

In the event LeBron James does stay with the team, this may be the perfect situation for Simons. As mentioned before, he will be raw coming into the Association. The jump from high school to the pros is big and, with veterans in front of him, Simons can take his time.

If given time to properly develop, the Cavs may have a future star. Simons showcased his God-given abilities while at the IMG Academy and will likely dazzle at the next level.

He has drawn comparisons to Markelle Fultz (pre-injury, of course) and D’Angelo Russell and the Cavs would be kicking themselves to not take him.

When it comes to picking Simons at eighth overall, the Cavs again run into a problem. Simons is the biggest project in the draft and there is no way the team can justify drafting him.

If the team stays at eight, they will be looking at immediate impact players like Duke’s Wendell Carter Jr or Villanova’s Mikal Bridges.

Right now, Simons projects as a mid-first-round pick and the Cavs may end up selecting him there.

Recently, the team has also worked out Kentucky forward Kevin Knox and Alabama guard Collin Sexton before the draft.

Knox, Sexton and Simons all project as mid-first-round picks.

While it makes sense to leave no stone unturned, the Cavs would only pick Simons if they trade the eighth pick.

One instance of this would be if the Cavs were able to agree to a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for DeAndre Jordan. Jordan, who both James and head coach Tyronn Lue wanted at the deadline, would likely also be included with one of the Clippers two first-rounders. With either the 12th pick or 13th pick, it would make perfect sense for the Cavs to select Simons.

If the Cavaliers were able to bring in Jordan and Simons, that would begin the retooling of the roster.

Simons fits with the team’s master plan to retain James and easily develop into a future star for the team. He will not make an immediate impact but may be able to lead the charge when James finally slows down.

Related Story: Should the Cavs trade up for Luka Doncic?

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