4. Play Scoot, Simons, and Sharpe together
The Blazers have three building blocks under 25 years old, but can they play together? All three are classified as guards at this point. Scoot is 6’2 and Simons is 6’3, so there are some questions about being undersized in the backcourt. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum made it work in Portland and the new duo could do the same.
Sharpe is 6’6 but not quite ready to be a forward. The 20-year-old has a slight frame and needs time to fully grow into his body.
The Blazers must experiment with these three players on the floor together this season to see if it works. They could keep Simons as a sixth man, but teams want to maximize their talent in clutch situations. It is a problem if Portland’s three best players cannot share the floor.
The Trail Blazers acquired Deandre Ayton and plan on making the former number-one overall pick a key part of their future. How does he fit next to their three guards? Can Portland get Ayton back to defending the rim and making an impact on both ends of the court?
These are questions to answer when wins do not matter. Expect Chauncey Billups to experiment this season. There will be unconventional lineups with developing young talent as the focus over maximizing wins.