2 Draft day Anfernee Simons takes that were laughably wrong

NBA analysts were sleeping on Anfernee Simons.

Feb 8, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1) shoots the ball during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1) shoots the ball during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports | Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
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B/R: "It is quite difficult to understand this pick."

Bleacher Report's Steve Silverman gave the Blazers No. 24 selection a D grade. Silverman's reasoning behind the poor grade was similar to Woo's: "The 19-year-old appears to have the offensive skill to help out his team, but he may be one or two years away before he can contribute on the NBA level. The Blazers have a need for wing players, so it is quite difficult to understand this pick."

This selection is a prime example of why teams should sometimes prioritize the best player available over the roster needed in drafts. On the surface, another undersized, offensive-minded guard was the last thing the Blazers needed to add, as they already had one of the best backcourt duos in the league with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

At the time, the Blazers were coming off a 49-33 record, which was third-best in the Western Conference. Many other analysts outside of Silverman and Woo also gave this pick a poor grade, saying that Portland could have used a more immediate impact prospect rather than the raw prospect in Simons. The Blazers' decision to take a long-term approach by selecting Simons paid off, as he is now arguably their best player seven seasons later.

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