3 lineups Trail Blazers can use to replace Simons; who backs up Lillard?

Shaedon Sharpe and Matisse Thybulle

The potential Sharpe has on offense is about equal to the skill Matisse Thybulle has on defense.

Thybulle has already played 28.5 mpg in his two games as a Blazer. He’s shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three in those games. He’s also averaging 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.

If he can sustain those offensive numbers, he could be an elite two-way player. Thybulle is already known as one of the best defenders in the NBA thanks to his combination of quickness, athleticism, and instincts.

Pairing Sharpe and Thybulle would give the Blazers a nice mix of strong offense and defense. Having Sharpe’s season-long offensive success hedges the lineup if Thybulle regresses toward his career 44.8 percent shooting and 32.5 percent shooting from three.

With Thybulle coming off the bench in this scenario but continuing to play 28-plus minutes per game, Billups can put him on the other team’s best guard or wing to shut them down and move Sharpe to the two or three positions as needed to take advantage of the matchup.