8. Anfernee Simons
Of all the changes that will come for the Portland Trail Blazer team this upcoming season, the most exciting of them all is the addition of Anfernee Simons to the rotation. The hype is unreal behind Simons with his explosion at the end of the year against the Kings and the show he put on in this year’s summer league.
The exact role for Simons still lies unclear, but there is no way Stotts keeps the 20-year-old out of the rotation with no clear-cut backup point guard on the roster. Simons has it all. With a jumper as smooth as silk and a leaping ability that leaves fans speechless he seems primed to make a jump into the national spotlight.
Simons also has potential to be an incredible facilitator for the second unit. His ability to create off the dribble paired with what’s in the rest of the arsenal gives him potential to be lethal.
Simons is expected to take the leap that all Blazers fans are intrigued about. Simons’ potential is through the roof and the role of second unit leader is his for the taking.
— Brown
7. Kent Bazemore
Prior to this summer’s free agency period, the Hawks sent Kent Bazemore to Portland in late June. This new addition to the wing rotation came at the expense of Evan Turner who was underwhelming in his stint with the Blazers and lacked consistency.
Bazemore just turned 30 and is heading into eighth season refreshed and ready for an opportunity to with a different organization. With Portland’s backcourt being as loaded as it is, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to get open looks and score while the defense is focused on the Blazers’ guards
At times Bazemore looked like lethal last year for the Hawks. With two games scoring over thirty points and many games above the twenty point mark he has solidified himself as a decent NBA scorer. Where the concern comes with Bazemore is that every exceptional game comes with a lousy performance or two.
Bazemore does shoot the ball somewhat well and brings a contagious energy level on the defensive end. He has the ability to be an excellent addition for this Trail Blazers team as long as he understands his role and can be consistent on a nightly basis.
— Brown