Mavs - Dallas needs another ball handler to take over while Kyrie is sidelined. Simons provides that while also giving them a chance to win now and make playoffs so Kyrie can be back for a playoff run. This also sets them up for the future. A core trio of Simons, Flagg, and Lively is an exciting sign of the future for Dallas and they can still win now with those three and Kyrie and AD. This does cost them as they give up there best perimeter defender in PJ Washington who is also a solid scorer and a great 3 and D prospect in Max Christie, along with the 2029 first rounder from the Lakers. This is worth it in my opinion because they land ball handler which they need desperately but also helps them win in the future. A healthy Mavs team could make a playoff run as Nico Harrison envisioned when he made the (albeit dreadful) Luka trade.

Trailblazers - Simons future in Portland is murky at best with guys like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe developing as guards. This nets them two long term players in PJ, who is only 26, and Max Christie, who is only 22. Both could be long term rotation players as 3 and D wings who could complement Henderson and Sharpe nicely with Clingan down low and Avdija on the wing. Pairing them with their 2025 draft selection gives the Blazers a true core to grow together and is exciting for the future, especially if they can move older vets like RW3 and Jerami Grant. They also net a first rounder which may not be very valuable if Luka stays in LA, but we’ve seen injuries happen and a first rounder is still a first rounder.