Portland Trail Blazers: Laying a foundation for the future
The Big Men
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.
Future Floor General
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.
Conclusion
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.