It shouldn't be, but the number of veterans still on the Trail Blazers roster and Joe Cronin's recent comments suggest that making the playoffs next season is a high priority.
If that is the expectation, Portland will likely fall short of that goal with Scoot Henderson or Anfernee Simons as their lead point guard. Simons is more of a combo guard who doesn't provide enough playmaking, while Henderson still needs more time to develop and become more consistent.
Not to mention, borderline playoff teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks will only get healthier next season. The reality is that the Blazers, despite their turnaround, still lack the star power to contend.
These potential Simons replacements would be an upgrade from a talent perspective while still fitting into Portland's rebuilding timeline.
1. Trae Young
Trae Young has remarkably similar strengths and weaknesses as Simons as an undersized guard who is a defensive liability. He more than makes up for those concerns on the offensive end with this unlimited three-point range and flamethrower ability that can singlehandedly win games. The Blazers' length has done a good job of covering for Simons on the defensive end and would be able to do the same for Young, making him a great fit.
However, the most crucial difference between Simons and Young -- and what makes Young an upgrade -- is his elite playmaking ability. He's much more of a traditional point guard than Simons. Ice Trae led the league in assists this season by a wide margin, averaging 11.6 per game. That would solve many of the Blazers' offensive problems for a team overly reliant on Deni Avdija to generate offense.
2. LaMelo Ball
Young and LaMelo Ball are both polarizing star guards. The question surrounding each of them is whether their elite stats can translate to winning at a high level. Ball hasn't shown he's capable of doing so in Charlotte, which played a role in his controversial All-Star snub. But to be fair, it would take peak LeBron James to carry that roster.
Ball could benefit from a change of scenery and would be a great fit in Portland. His 6-foot-7 frame would make the Blazers even more of a matchup nightmare, as they already have the tallest roster in the league.
He needs to learn how to pick the right "boring" play over the flashy play at times, but he is still figuring out his game at just 23 years old. Chauncey Billups' no-nonsense coaching style, combined with his experience as a former point guard, could do wonders for Ball's development.
In terms of pure talent, there are very few players in the league who can replicate what Ball does. That gives him an incredibly high ceiling if he can figure out how to hone his game without compromising what makes him so special. Portland needs that type of upside on their roster.
3. Ja Morant
Ja Morant is another star guard who doesn't come without flaws (both on and off the court). The Blazers must be selective with who they aggressively trade for, but the reality is that any near-perfect guard will likely be off-limits. Morant could be as good as it gets in terms of attainable trade targets.
He needs to improve his midrange and three-point shooting, which have been exposed throughout this first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. But Morant is still 25 and has yet to reach his prime. This could present a good buy-low opportunity for Portland to take a chance on someone who was in the conversation for being the best point guard in the league not too long ago.
His elite athleticism, playmaking, and ability to attack the paint would give the Blazers what they hoped to get from Henderson when they drafted him No. 3 overall. Henderson can still reach that level, but it's clear he'll need more time.
In the meantime, Portland is walking a dangerous tightrope, trying to accelerate its timeline without jeopardizing the future. Morant could be the star to help them bridge that gap.