Trail Blazers must make this crucial roster-building decision this summer

Anfernee Simons may be the odd man out

The Blazers have made significant investments in Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe in the past two drafts. As they rebuild their roster, Henderson and Sharpe emerge as the pivotal pieces. Both have shown flashes of star potential, and their exceptional athleticism and scoring prowess (as well as Henderson's playmaking skills) hint at a bright future for the team.

Anfernee Simons is coming off his best statistical season, averaging career highs in points (22.6), assists (5.5), and rebounds (3.6) per game. At 25 years old, he still has room to continue developing his game and fits into the Blazers' rebuilding timeline. However, he doesn't possess the same star upside of being a go-to franchise player who can carry a team into the playoffs.

The Blazers would certainly miss Simons' elite shooting, as he shot 38.5 percent from three this season. However, the fact that he's coming off his best season is another reason to trade Simons, who was recently listed as a top-ten trade asset this summer by Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley. The Blazers could get tremendous value back for Simons, either in draft capital or another promising young player who better fits a positional need.

Additionally, Portland is currently facing financial constraints. To avoid the luxury tax, a trade is necessary. While Simons is on a reasonable deal, his potential trade could alleviate the Blazers' financial burden. With a salary of $25.9 million next season, Simons' departure could significantly aid the team, especially considering that Henderson and Sharpe are still on their rookie deals.

The Blazers don't have a clear-cut star on their roster. They have a prime opportunity to find one in the upcoming NBA Draft with their two lottery picks. However, Henderson and Sharpe are the best bets out of the players currently on their roster. The Blazers need to be shooting for upside at this point in their rebuild, and since their guard trio has proven that they can't effectively coexist, Simons should be considered the odd man out.