Portland Trail Blazers: Three’s a crowd so play the long game
While Damian Lillard spends and CJ McCollum spent significant time on the injured list, the Portland Trail Blazers developed a gem with Anfernee Simons. When Dame gets back, it will be a crowded backcourt, setting the Blazers up to make major changes.
One thing has gone right for the Portland Trail Blazers in an otherwise lost season. Anfernee Simons finally started to become the player they were hoping for when they drafted him 24th overall out of the IMG Academy in 2018. For the Blazers, his arrival comes not a moment too soon.
Damian Lillard was ineffective early in the season then shut down for abdominal surgery. CJ McCollum also had his own injury struggles that put him out for 17 games. As a result, Simons got his chance to start and proved he deserved it.
The kid arrived
Simons has had the opportunity to expand his game. Since becoming a full-time starter, Simons has averaged 26 points and 8 assists per game. He also eclipses the 50/40/90 (FG%/3PT%/FT%) shooting split that typically signifies an All-Star level performer. When Dame returns, it will be difficult for head coach Chauncey Billups to play Simons, McCollum, and Dame the number of minutes they deserve.
If Simons can consistently maintain anywhere near this level of play, it may impact Portland’s decisions on their roster going forward. Right now, the Blazers have over $90 million committed to just three players (McCollum, Lillard, and Norman Powell), with Simons entering restricted free agency at the end of the season.
Don’t forget starting forwards, Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington are unrestricted restricted free agents. With so many enticing trade chips, something has to give. The elements are in place for a transformation.
Who makes the calls?
As constructed, the Portland Trail Blazers are somewhere around a four seed in the Western Conference, with not much of the way of assets to improve. In the NBA, there are two ways to be: contending or tanking. Teams in the middle end up running in place ad nauseam, also known as the treadmill of mediocrity.
Portland is also in a tough spot as a franchise. They have an interim GM, Joe Cronin, an embattled coach, Billups, and a novice owner, Jodie Allen. The infrastructure to make sound decisions is lacking. Who sets the plan and does what it takes to see that plan come to fruition?
Final Thoughts
If Simons is for real, he makes three starters for two spots (and an undersized small forward who should be playing guard). It’s time to make some moves and reload. With the shooting and efficiency he demonstrated this season, even some fall off would make him a high-quality starter. If Portland can add a young all-star and some draft picks for Lillard or McCollum, they should look long and hard at a deal. Simons is ready to step in for whoever goes.
Related Story: CJ McCollum, injury-prone or freak injuries
If i'm the Trail Blazers I would trade Damian Lillard immediately! pic.twitter.com/e5XnsMPXoH
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 9, 2021
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