Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers.
Recently I started thinking about the Portland Trail Blazers long-term future. It started when I read an article about the future of the Golden State Warriors now that reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo signed his super-max deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. How their core of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green are still capable of bringing in a title, but the dream of bringing in Giannis to have another super team is dead.
It also talked about their future core roster. In summation, their core is Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, and their 2021 high draft pick, possibly Kelly Oubre Jr. It’s a bright future if you believe in Wiggins is the star talent everyone thought when he was drafted #1 overall.
Remember when the San Antonio Spurs were yearly title contenders. They had Hall of Famer Tim Duncan and All-Stars Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Those three, along with Hall of Fame coach Greg Popovich were always formidable opponents. That core group won three NBA titles together. Then they got old, and their championship window was closing. The Spurs needed some impact youth to continue their run.
Enter in Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Cory Joseph. Those six players were able to beat the super team Miami Heat (they should have won it all in 2013) in 2014. It looked like San Antonio would continue as title contenders for years to come. We know how that story ended and what it brought to the NBA, Load Management. That’s a topic for another day.
It’s those two sources for the inspiration of this article.
So, what’s next, Trail Blazers fans? As in what’s next after the Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum era. Who is the next core with which Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey will build around? Jusuf Nurkic, 26, so he can be the bridge between the eras but is he really talented enough to be THE guy? Let’s recognize what Portland already has, and conclude that Dame is the benchmark. What he does and brings to this franchise is truly special.
So, when that day comes where Lillard and McCollum ride off into the sunset, where do the Blazers go? Who are the players to step up and take that mantle? Maybe those guys aren’t currently on the roster. Or maybe they are.
Let’s start by ruling out the guys that won’t be in consideration. Qualifications: 1) young (26 and under) and up and coming 2) signs of super talent 3) player that can be THEE reason their team won on any given night. With that in place, here are guys that don’t make the cut: Carmelo Anthony, Robert Covington, Rodney Hood, Enes Kanter. Possible, but not likely, are Derrick Jones Jr. and Gary Trent Jr.
The Jr.’s, as I like to call them, could continue their development and become players to build around, but I don’t think it’s likely. Don’t get me wrong; they are good players. I applaud their continued growth and development. But ultimately, I believe their peak are pieces that are important to championship teams but are replaceable. There is nothing wrong with this outcome as they can have long NBA careers.
The players left for consideration are Anfernee Simons and Zach Collins/Harry Giles III. Quick notes, players Nassir Little and CJ Elleby aren’t being considered. Neither has played enough to get an accurate read on their ability and future impact. I’m lumping Giles and Collins together. Both have proven they can play in the NBA, but they haven’t become consistent starters due to different circumstances. Simons and Collins/Giles have their concerns, but they also have a very bright future.
Giles and Collins can both be free agents at the end of this year. Collins will be a restricted free agent in 2021, while Giles can walk. These two might be competing for the same roster spot/future core group with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Collins is labeled as injury-prone. I can’t fault anyone for thinking or saying that he is. The former Gonzaga star practically missed all of last season and missed time the previous two years, as well. With that said, there is no doubt that when he’s playing, he’s a factor. Each year of his career, Collins has improved.
Giles could also be given the label of injury-prone, but I don’t think it’s fair to him. He had his fair share of knee injuries, which hampered his draft stock. But like Collins, when Giles is on the court, he is a factor. HG3also improved each year in the NBA while seeing the same number of minutes per game.
On the court, the difference between Giles and Collins is their three-point shooting. Collins can and does shoot treys. Giles either can’t or won’t shoot them.
Simons, too has improved each year. This year Portland expects him to take another step in his development. My colleague Teresa Powe predicts her favorite NBA player, Carmelo, to be in the running for the NBA sixth man of the year award. I think that is a great, safe bet. For those bolder, put your money on Simons. For two years now, he’s been behind Dame and CJ and competed against them both. I expect Simons to show the league just how smart Olshey is for drafting him. I predict Simons will be this year’s breakout player.
While the Portland Trail Blazers don’t have their first-round pick in the 2021 draft, it may not hurt them that much. There doesn’t’ appear to be any generational talent coming out, and even if there is, the Blazers won’t be in a position to draft him. A core group of Simons, Collins/Giles, and Nurk moving forward is something most teams will be jealous of.
Continuing to have a point guard that can go off for 20+ points a night along with two seven-footers who can rebound, score on the block and block shots is a great foundation with which to build upon. This doesn’t include future draft picks, free agent signings, trades, or the development of Little and Elleby. This season is bright, and unlike other teams *cough Lakers cough* the Blazers’ future is also bright.
Where do you see the Portland Trail Blazers core in four or five years? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.