Another Name Emerges in Duke Basketball Transfer Pursuits

By [Your Name]
May 6, 2025

The Duke Blue Devils are not done yet.

After a Final Four collapse that left a bitter taste in the mouths of players, coaches, and fans alike, head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff have been relentless in attacking the transfer portal. In an era where college basketball success often hinges on portal prowess, Duke is making sure its name remains synonymous with championship contention. And now, another high-impact name has emerged in the Blue Devils’ transfer pursuits: Colorado guard KJ Simpson.

The former Pac-12 standout quietly entered the portal just days after the Buffaloes were bounced from the NCAA Tournament. Now, sources close to the situation say Duke is expressing serious interest in adding Simpson to a roster that’s undergoing significant retooling. If the Blue Devils can land him, it could mark a crucial addition in an offseason defined by movement, pressure, and urgency in Durham.

Why KJ Simpson?

Simpson is more than just a stat line—though his numbers are impressive. The 6-foot-2 junior averaged 19.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game in 2024-25, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors and leading Colorado to a 23-win season and an NCAA Tournament appearance. A shifty, explosive guard with a tight handle, deadly pull-up jumper, and leadership pedigree, Simpson checks multiple boxes for a Duke team looking to replace production, stabilize its backcourt, and find a closer in crunch-time situations.

Duke lost a key component when sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor declared for the NBA Draft shortly after the season ended. Combine that with Jared McCain’s lottery-bound rise and the graduation of veteran leader Jeremy Roach, and the Blue Devils find themselves in need of experienced guards—especially ones with the ability to score off the bounce and create for others.

Simpson brings exactly that—and more.

“He plays with a chip,” an anonymous ACC assistant told The Athletic. “He’d fit Duke’s system perfectly, especially with how Scheyer likes to run offense through guards who can create and shoot. He’s also got the maturity and fire they need in that locker room.”

A Crowded but Shifting Backcourt

Duke’s interest in Simpson doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The Blue Devils have already landed former Notre Dame standout Markus Burton, a 5-foot-11 scoring guard who averaged 17.5 points per game as a freshman. Burton provides quickness, change-of-pace offense, and a proven scoring punch—but at his size, pairing him with another undersized guard could pose defensive challenges.

Enter Simpson, whose size and defensive chops provide a potential complement to Burton or an alternative lead guard option. Simpson’s athleticism and experience in power-conference play may even give him the edge in a starting lineup discussion. There’s also talk that Duke could use a three-guard lineup at times, with Burton, Simpson, and incoming five-star freshman Isaiah Evans, a dynamic 6-foot-6 wing, all sharing the floor.

Beyond Evans, Duke also welcomes Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 center from South Sudan and a projected top-five NBA pick in 2026. But Maluach’s offensive game remains raw, which puts added emphasis on guard play to drive the offense and unlock spacing. Simpson could be the primary initiator of that engine, especially in the half-court.

Scheyer’s Portal Philosophy Evolves

When Jon Scheyer took over for Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, one of the lingering questions was how the young coach would approach roster building in the transfer era. Early on, Duke remained relatively conservative—leaning heavily on five-star freshman classes and internal development. But recent events suggest a shift in strategy.

This offseason alone, Duke has already landed three transfers: Burton, former Harvard forward Chad Sturdivant, and Virginia Tech sharpshooter MJ Collins. Add the potential of Simpson, and it’s clear that Scheyer and his staff have embraced a more aggressive portal approach.

Sources close to the program say the Final Four loss to Houston—where Duke collapsed after holding a second-half lead—exposed a need for greater maturity, toughness, and shot-making under pressure. “We didn’t close. We didn’t respond,” one Duke staffer reportedly told a recruit in April. “That’s not happening again.”

The solution? Find proven leaders who’ve already weathered the chaos of college basketball seasons. Simpson, a three-year contributor in the Pac-12, fits that profile. He has been battle-tested, he’s improved every year, and perhaps most importantly—he wants to win on the biggest stage.

What Duke Offers Simpson

It’s not hard to see why Simpson would be intrigued by Duke. Beyond the brand, exposure, and NBA pipeline, the Blue Devils offer the opportunity to compete for a national championship while playing a featured role. He would immediately inherit a leadership mantle, and his style of play aligns with Duke’s evolving offensive system—pace-and-space, ball-screen heavy, and reliant on dynamic guard creation.

Additionally, Simpson would benefit from the ACC’s national visibility and the unmatched NIL opportunities Duke basketball affords. Though the program has remained relatively quiet about its NIL numbers, sources suggest Simpson could earn a low seven-figure deal should he choose Durham.

It’s also worth noting the presence of assistant coach Amile Jefferson, who has spearheaded Duke’s guard recruiting efforts. Jefferson reportedly reached out to Simpson’s camp within hours of his portal entry, a sign that the Blue Devils had circled the Colorado star as a top priority.

Competing Programs

Duke won’t have Simpson to itself. Among the other reported suitors are Kansas, Arizona, and Arkansas—all of whom are also reshaping their backcourts. Kansas is in flux following the departure of Dajuan Harris and could offer Simpson a prominent role on a top-five team. Arizona, fresh off its Sweet 16 appearance, is losing multiple backcourt pieces and is desperate for a scorer. Arkansas, under new head coach John Calipari, has deep NIL pockets and an open canvas for playmakers.

Still, few programs can offer what Duke can—a winning pedigree, elite exposure, and a system tailor-made for Simpson’s style. The decision may come down to where he feels most empowered to lead.

The Bigger Picture in Durham

Simpson’s possible addition is just one domino in a larger cascade of offseason changes for Duke. The 2025-26 season will be pivotal for Scheyer, who despite deep tournament runs, has yet to reach the national title game. With Kentucky, Kansas, and Alabama reloading, and defending champ Houston maintaining its core, Duke knows it must level up—or get left behind.

The Blue Devils are expected to be a preseason top-10 team, but that status hinges on how well their transfer pieces fit. Simpson could be the glue. If he commits, it would likely cement Duke’s guard rotation and elevate them into legitimate title conversations. If not, the program may be forced to pivot once more in an already volatile transfer market.

For fans, the saga has added drama to an offseason already filled with speculation and optimism. Every tweet, cryptic emoji, or Instagram follow from Simpson has been scrutinized by Duke fans hungry for closure—and another shot at banner No. 6.

A New Blueprint?

Landing a player like Simpson would be symbolic of a broader change in how Duke builds rosters. For decades, the program was defined by four-year players and later by one-and-done lottery talent. Now, it may be defined by portal precision—the art of identifying experienced talent to fill critical gaps.

This wouldn’t be a panic move—it’s a calculated shift. With the margin for error in college basketball thinner than ever, and March Madness often decided by guard play, Simpson could be the piece that keeps Duke relevant at the top.

Jon Scheyer, for his part, has made it clear that Duke will remain aggressive.

“We’re not going to settle,” Scheyer said during a recent radio interview. “The goal is to win championships. That takes talent. That takes maturity. That takes guys who can get it done under the lights. We’re looking for those guys.”

The Waiting Game

There’s no official timetable for Simpson’s decision, but sources say it could come soon—possibly within the next week. With most major roster spots around the country filling up, timing will be key. Duke hopes that early contact, strong relationships, and championship aspirations will tip the scales in their favor.

If it works out, Duke fans can start dreaming again.

If not, the search continues.

Either way, one thing is certain: another name has emerged in Duke basketball’s transfer pursuits—and this one could change everything.