Jusuf Nurkic hints that Magic should target Anfernee Simons

Jusuf Nurkic hints that Magic should target Anfernee Simons

We are one day away from the official start of the 2024-25 NBA All-Star break, though the majority of teams across the league are already on their break since they do not play in Thursday’s five-game slate.

One of those teams who finished up Wednesday was the Charlotte Hornets, who currently have a fascinating frontcourt situation on their hands with Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkic, who they acquired last week ahead of the deadline. Following his first game with his new team against the Orlando Magic, Nurkic offered his thoughts on the current state of the Magic and suggested that they should target one of his former teammates.

“They are a really good young team and they are doing a really good job,” Nurkic said, according to The Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede. “They have a really good coaching staff, but I think they are missing one player. I can’t name it, but that’s my little fella from Portland, but I love my Portland people…but I think they are waiting and missing one player to be a really good team.”

One could assume that the 7-foot big was hinting at guard Anfernee Simons, who played with Nurkic or five seasons before he was traded to Phoenix ahead of the last season in the three-team Damian Lillard trade.

The Trail Blazers reportedly explored trading Simons in the offseason but that never came to fruition. The 6-foot-3 guard is having another productive year despite a slight down-tick in usage. Through 51 games, he’s averaging 18.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists on 42.6 percent shooting, including 37.4 percent from 3-point range and 90.5 percent from the free-throw line.

The Magic do have a glut of guards, but they desperately need more offensive firepower alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz gner. They have been the league’s worst offense over the last month, which has been the crux of the issue over the last three-plus seasons. Banchero and Wagner are good shot creators, but theoretically adding Simons would help a ton–despite his size and lack of defensive fortitude.

I respect Nurkic lobbying for his guys for an organization he doesn’t play for, which is peculiar because that never happens. Simons will be on an expiring $27.7 million deal next year, so perhaps he will be moved off a middling Blazers squad.

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