Portland Trail Blazers: Exploring Anfernee Simons trades
By Andy Quach
The Portland Trail Blazers have done nothing lately but emphasize their need for a major shakeup. With their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, the Blazers have dropped five games in a row and eight of their last nine. This latest defeat came despite Damian Lillard’s return and a change in the starting lineup. Obviously, Interim General Manager Joe Cronin is going to have to pull some creative trades to save this season and Anfernee Simons might present the Blazers with their best chance of landing another star.
Anybody who’s followed the Blazers closely this season knows how impactful Anfernee Simons has been — a shining bright spot amidst a turbulent black hole of a season. That being said, with the state the team is in currently, the only player that should be marked as untouchable is one Damian Lillard. `
It would sting to cut bait on Ant so quickly, right as his development is finally starting to pay off. Simons’s emergence into a potential future star, however, makes him one of the Blazers most valuable trade assets.
The Portland Trail Blazers should consider trading Anfernee Simons
Anfernee Simons has had a major breakout this season; he went from valuable bench shooter last season, to bonified sixth man status, and is quickly ascending to a future All-Star.
Simons is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning Portland will have the ability to match any contract he commands. Ant’s play so far, warrants a major payday — one that the Blazers may have to think twice about, considering they already have over $93 million committed to the guard position for 2022-2023 according to spotrac.
Even if CJ McCollum is moved for a forward or big, that still leaves over $60 million paid out to Dame and Norman Powell. Simons will probably land at least $18 million per year. Would the Portland Trail Blazers be willing to shell out $18+ million for a sixth man and nearly $80 million for three guards?
If not, that leaves them with two choices if they move CJ for a non-guard. They can either trade Norm or Ant. Powell is the obvious fit next to Dame, thanks to his defensive prowess and slashing ability. He also can’t be traded until March of 2022, after the trade deadline, because Portland used their bird rights to re-sign him.
With Damian Lillard’s championship window closing quickly, Cronin and the Trail Blazers brass have to at least consider moving Simons for the right package.