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Portland Trail Blazers: Ranking every player on the 2021 roster

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Number 11 – Anfernee Simons

Anfernee Simons is another young player who has a pivotal season ahead of him in terms of his development. Coming into his third-year, Simons is officially the backup point guard. Though he won’t be playing major minutes, he will be required to start or play major minutes in the case of an injury to Damian Lillard.

Simons has a heat up quick game as a guard that mainly involves quick attacks to the basket or getting hot from jumpers.

He is a serious pull-up threat as a shooter, but Simons will have fewer opportunities with the ball in his hands in this Blazers offense. Last season he struggled to set his teammates up as a primary ball-handler, so I expect him to start the season with slightly less rope.

Simons is still an exciting player who can jump out of the gym when attacking the rim, but he needs to be more consistent on defense and take care of the ball when running the offense. He may see more action as an off the ball threat, but he needs to knock down his jumpers.

Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Number 10 – Enes Kanter

Turkish center Enes Kanter has rejoined the team as general manager Neil Olshey used the trade exception available to bring him in.

Kanter accepted a buyout from the New York Knicks in the 2018/19 season to join the Blazers for their epic western conference finals run. He took a minimum deal to cover as the starting center for the injured Jusuf Nurkic.

Though Kanter doesn’t have a great reputation as a defender, he can still score strongly around the rim as a backup big. He is an excellent offensive rebounder and has a key role as the likely understudy to Nurkic, who is in his first full season back from injury.

With Collins out till January, Kanter will share minutes with Giles, dependent on the matchup.