The NBA recently released the schedule for the 2025-26 season, and the date Portland Trail Blazers fans should circle on their calendar is December 28. That's when Anfernee Simons, previously Portland's longest-tenured player, will return to the Moda Center to face the franchise where he spent seven rollercoaster seasons.
Blazers fans should circle this date in pencil, not pen or Sharpie, as there's at least a possibility that Simons is traded by the Boston Celtics before then. But there's been no significant developments as far as that is concerned.
Another Moda Center reunion for a Trail Blazers guard
Blazers fans are no strangers to reunions at the Moda Center. Most notably, Damian Lillard has been in a Milwaukee Bucks jersey for the past two seasons, which also were Portland's only nationally televised games over that stretch. Although this isn't the magnitude of Lillard's return, or even CJ McCollum's for that matter, Simons still has his own Blazers legacy as someone who has had success since entering the league in 2018. Portland's gamble on the IMG Academy guard with the No. 24 overall pick paid off as Simons has turned into a 20-point-per-game scorer and one of the best three-point shooters in the league.
It will be strange not having Simons around as the Blazers enter this next phase of their rebuild, but there's also a bittersweet aspect to him likely being in Celtics green next time he visits Portland.
This offseason trade was in everyone's best interest. The Blazers needed to move on from the offensive-minded guard to fully embrace their defensive-minded identity. More importantly, it clears the path for former No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson -- their most significant investment, who showed promising signs of improvement, indicating he's ready for an increased role.
Meanwhile, assuming Simons stays, he'll be in an ideal situation in Boston. His playing style fits perfectly with Boston's, particularly under Celtics head coach Joe Mazulla, who emphasizes three-point shooting more than any team in the league at 48.2 attempts per game.
The reunion storylines will come full circle when the Blazers face the Celtics on January 26 in Boston, which is one of Portland's eight nationally televised games this season (that game will be available on Peacock). That will also be bittersweet for Celtics fans, considering Holiday was a key contributor to Boston's championship in 2024.