The Oregonian/OregonLive is taking a player-by-player look at the Portland Trail Blazers roster following the 2024-25 season.
Prior posts: Shaedon Sharpe; Scoot Henderson; Jerami Grant; Toumani Camara; Deandre Ayton; Donovan Clingan; Robert Williams III; Matisse Thybulle; Dalano Banton, Kris Murray; Jabari Walker; Duop Reath; Rayan Rupert; Justin Minaya; Bryce McGowens; Sidy Cissoko.
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Height, position, age: 6-foot-3, guard, 25.
Contract status: Simons, who turns 26 on June 8, has one year remaining on the four-year contract he signed in 2022 and will make $27.6 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
2024-25 contributions (reference page): Simons’ scoring efficiency numbers dipped surprisingly in his seventh season.
He averaged 19.3 points on 42.6% shooting and 36.3% from beyond the arc. Those numbers were down from his career-high of 22.6 points last season on 43% shooting from the field and 38.5% from long distance.
But Simons’ effective field goal percentage only dropped from 52.3% to 52.1% primarily because his mid-range shooting percentage went from 36.1% to 47.1% during a topsy-turvy season.
Simons struggled during the first 27 games, hitting on 40.6% from the field attempts and 32% from three-point range, while averaging 17.0 points.
He improved over a short stretch before hitting rock bottom on Jan. 16, when he went scoreless on nine shots during a 118-89 loss at home to the LA Clippers.
He sat out the next game with a slight injury and then gradually began to elevate his play. Over Simons’ next 29 games, he averaged 21.3 points, shooting 44.3% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range.
That version of Simons can be an offensive force. And while Simons might never be confused as such on defense, coach Chauncey Billups praised his improvement and effort in that area.
Simons’ defensive rating dropped to 113.4 from 120.5 last season, when almost nightly, everyone on the team was getting lit up.
Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers falls after attempting to dunk against Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Moda Center on November 01, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)Getty Images
Fit moving forward: This largely depends on the evolution of 6-3 point guard Scoot Henderson. Should he fully evolve into a clear starter, keeping Simons wouldn’t make much sense, especially with 6-5 shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe on the roster. Starting two small guards would not be ideal.
Henderson, a more natural point guard than Simons, paired with Sharpe, would form a logical starting backcourt. Paying Simons what he could command to come off the bench would be a waste of resources when they could probably trade him for quality assets.
However, moving Simons becomes detrimental if Henderson fails to reach his potential.
Simons and Sharpe could form a high-flying, high-scoring duo, with a cheaper Henderson coming off the bench or being moved elsewhere.
Trade value: Solid. Simons’ track record overrides his somewhat down season. He is quick, fast, explosive and can score from all levels.
Is he a starter on a contender? Tough to say. But at the very least, Simons would provide any team with instant offense off the bench with the ability to play both guard positions and start when needed.
That could be an attractive combination for teams seeking backcourt versatility, depth and scoring.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons passes the ball during and NBA game against the Detroit Pistons at Moda Center on Sunday, March 9, 2025.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Likelihood to return: It’s a toss-up. Unless an ideal trade presents itself, and the Blazers are convinced Henderson can run the team, Simons will return as the starting point guard.
The Blazers could ride this out until the trade deadline next February. Or, they could sign Simons to a contract extension this summer and still look to move him down the line.
Simons’ situation is certainly one to watch.
2025-26 outlook: Simons said he gradually became more comfortable with his role as the season went along, adjusting to often playing at a faster pace rather than running half-court sets to get him open.
That bodes well for next season. Simons, after another summer adjusting, should get off to a better start and elevate his scoring efficiency.
If that happens, and other key players also improve, the Blazers will have an opportunity to improve on their 36-46 record and get into the postseason with Simons leading the way.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)