Trail Blazers: Breaking down a decade of draft history

2018

Picks

• No. 24: Anfernee Simons
• (through trade) No. 37: Gary Trent Jr

The Blazers got a good one here. Anfernee Simons, who was drafted straight out of IMG Academy with the 24th pick, is showing signs of becoming a serious NBA player.

Simons is technically in his sophomore year, but it feels like his rookie season after playing so few minutes last year. When he did get the chance, Simons dropped a neat 37 points in the Blazers final game of the season.

With Seth Curry now gone, Simons is the primary guard coming off the bench, and has started the season really comfortably. Simons is averaging 9.3 points through 31 games this year, whilst shooting 40 percent from the floor and 76 percent from the line.

Due to injuries, the Blazers bench is alarmingly thin at the moment, and they look to Simons for offensive spark when Dame and CJ are not on the floor. A difficult task, no doubt about it, but Simons is looking the part already, and seems to be shadowing Lillard to an absolute tee.

The guard has scored double digits in 15 of his 31 games this year, and has poured in the highlights, including 15 points in the 4th quarter against the LA Clippers. Simons has an incredibly quick release, can shoot it from anywhere on the court, and has got some crazy hops too.

His point guard play still needs a little work, as does his decision-making and finishing around the rim, but Simons’ potential looks sky-high right now. Neil Olshey got this pick spot on, and the Blazers seem to have a ready-made replacement for Damian Lillard.

Verdict: Hit

Portland’s other new face in the 2018 draft came in the form of Gary Trent Jr, son of former NBA player Gary Trent. The Blazers traded two future second-rounders and cash for Trent Jr, as Olshey saw potential in the former Duke guard.

Trent Jr has impressed in both of his Summer League outings for the Blazers, putting up 11 points a game and helping the Blazers to the title in 2018, and in 2019, he averaged an impressive 20 points through 5 games.

In the NBA so far though, Trent Jr has played a fairly limited role. In his first year, he spent most of his time either on the end of the bench, or in the G-League with the Texas Legends.  The guard only appeared in 15 games for the Blazers last season.

However, just as Simons has, Trent Jr has seen an increase in minutes to account for a thin roster; he has already played in 18 games this year, at just over 10 minutes a game. True, any significant chances for him to score the ball comes in garbage time, but the Blazers have held onto him for a reason; Trent Jr has a smooth stroke and seems to know how to score the ball.

Trent Jr simply hasn’t had the chances yet to fully grade this trade, especially as he was picked in the second round. I think he has a role as a 3&D guy in the league, even if it doesn’t work out to be in Portland.

Verdict: Undecided

What If’s?

You guys see anything? For me, there’s no one past No. 24 I’d have preferred over Simons. If we’re talking instead of Trent Jr (who we traded for anyway), no one really springs out. Kostas Antetokounmpo was picked up and traded to Dallas with the final pick in the draft, and who knows, maybe he’ll follow in brother Giannis’ footsteps.