Young shooting guard Anfernee Simons is one of the best long-range snipers in the NBA and he’s been one of the best players on the Blazers for years. But now, according to NBA insider Sean Highkin, the Trail Blazers could be ready to move on from him once and for all.
“Anfernee Simons’ status is worth keeping an eye on. On draft night, Cronin said the Blazers are ‘committed’ to building around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, and didn’t mention Simons’ name. Simons also appears open to a move—at his end-of-season exit interview in April, he said he wants ‘the opportunity to win,’ which is very plainly not where the Blazers are right now or will be in the next few years.”
Simons, 25, is often overlooked for his role on the Trail Blazers. Drafted 24th overall in 2018, Ant has developed into an elite offensive player and he was projected to be the future of the franchise.
Last season, through 46 games, Simons averaged 22.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game on 43.0% shooting. In the aftermath of Damian Lillard’s departure, Simons often ran the offense in Portland and they played primarily through him anytime that he was on the floor.
As such a young and talented player, it’s strange that the Trail Blazers would look to move on from him right now but it’s no secret that their backcourt is getting crowded. Between Scoot Henderson (the No. 2 overall pick in 2023) and Shaedon Sharpe (who averaged 15.9 points per game in his sophomore season), the Blazers have an abundance of elite players at the guard positions.
Simons, while the most experienced and decorated, may also have the lowest ceiling of the bunch and he’d be the easiest to move in any potential trade. As a young sharpshooter, Ant could fit pretty much anywhere and his offense could be the factor that helps swing a series for a playoff team.
Simons himself has expressed a desire to win and he deserves that after four straight seasons of steady progress with his game. In Portland, that just won’t be possible anytime soon given their lack of talent, experience, and depth off the bench. Since Damian Lillard left, they’ve been in a fierce rebuild and are likely to be a lottery team next season just like they were in the last (21-61 for 15th in the West).
It remains to be seen which teams are interested in a young sharpshooter but with Klay Thompson and Paul George off the board, any number of desperate teams might consider a pursuit. The Lakers, for example, would have a lot to gain from getting younger in the backcourt and adding a proven shooter to extend the floor for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
He’d also be a good fit for the Orlando Magic given their need for a punch offensively. he checks every box for them and fits their timeline with Paolo Banchero.
Of course, the price for one of the league’s top shooters will be high and we can only guess right now whether any teams will be willing to sacrifice what it would take.
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