With the 3rd pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, thePortland Trail Blazersselect a player who makesAnfernee Simonsirrelevant to the rotation.Scoot Henderson, the explosive rookie scoring guard, is hopefully/likely/should be able to play a similar role to what Simons brought, only from Bench capacity, right away. Everyone on BlazersEdge feels that Portland has been plagued by paired small scoring guards in their starting lineups too long, and now, Portland could separate their scoring threats better by having Scoot be a 6th or 7th man.

Anfernee Simons vs. Scoot Henderson vs. Damian Lillard. No Doubt we stick stick with Dame. It's time to move Simons.

Personally, I am so hungry for Portland to stay at it with Damian Lillard at the core of this roster until he retires. That should be our plan. Don't EVER trade Dame. For any handwringers looking to FLIP Dame for some fast picks and rebuild fodder, think again. Portland is actually drafting and building as good as any other team at the moment. 6'5"Shaedon Sharpe(age 20), 6'2"Scoot Henderson (age19), 6'8"Kris Murray(age22), 6'8"Jabari Walker(age20) and moving to get young talents like 6'8" wingCam Reddish(age23), and 6'5" defensive GF马蒂斯Thybulle(age 26), and 26-year-old defensive presenceDrew Eubanks。希望/可能,波特兰的2024 1st Round pick will go to Chicago (unless Portland is again in the lottery). Then Portland has their 1st's in each year 2025, 2026, 2027, so building blocks are still in place to continue to add some first talent. Re-signingJerami Grantis a must!

Scoot definitely changes things. Let's all for a moment imagine this Pick 3 to be a HIT! What does that mean, a 20ppg scorer and major disruptor. If his hype is real, this is a step-up from Anfernee in athleticism, scoring, energy, and personality. Great. Portland still has some low post issues and trying to get over their Defensive in-adequacies. Here is a three-way trade AND a reasonable, yet quasi-disgusting Free-agent signing that would all add up to a very formidable roster for 2023 and Beyond....

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Here is a three-way deal that gets a fresh new look on Portland's win-now roster for 2023: Portland, Indiana & Orlando

Portland incoming: 6'11" FCMyles Turner(age27), 7'2"Bol Bol(age23),Indiana 2025 1st Round Pick

Portland outgoing:Anfernee Simons,Nassir Little,Keon Johnson,Trendon Watford

Indiana Out: FC Myles Turner, GF Aaron Nesmith (1st, 1st swap, x2 seconds)

印第安纳州:SG Anfernee西蒙斯,科幻小说——《少,GF Gary Harris - Indiana does this as they have been ready to move on from Turner and be younger for future C Jalen Smith and PF Isaiah Jackson plus they covet a play-making scoring guard to replace Hield so they can trade him before his next contract. Simons fits their new timeline and needs to a T, its also worth the insurance chip of Nassir Little to their wing position. Harris will be waived or expire in 1 year.

Orlando Out: FC Bol Bol, SG Gary Harris, 2024 1st round swap with Indiana (two seconds)

Orlando In: PG Keon Johnson, GF Aaron Nesmith, PF Trendon Wadford (1st round swap and 2 seconds) - Orlando does this deal to reshape the roster around their ROY - Paola Banchero. Keon Johnson is a combo-guard coveted by many teams for his athleticism, defensive effort, and unlimited ceiling. He would be a great two-way player surrounding 6'11 Banchero, 6'10 Franz Wagner, etc...

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Free Agency disgusting move that actually adds to Portland: 1. GFDillon Brooksand 1a. PGPatrick Beverly

2023-2024 Portland Trail Blazers Roster

G - Damian Lillard / Scoot Henderson / Patrick Beverly (FA)

G - Cam Reddish / Matisse Thybulle

F - Dillon Brooks(FA) / Shaedon Sharpe /

F - Jerami Grant / Bol Bol / Kris Murray / Jabari Walker

C - Myles Turner / Jusuf Nurkic / Drew Eubanks

Plus Portland will have TWO 1st Round Picks come 2025 NBA Draft. IF Scoot is the hype, IF Cam Reddish emerges as legit-legit, and Portland could add Turner, Brooks, both capable defenders and proven rotation players, I don't see how this version of Portland would be very dangerous come playoff time. Scoot, Cam, Shaedon, and Grant need to take major steps forward. Damian Lillard is a Grade-A Killer in the NBA playoffs, and we all (well not even close to all) watched this years NBA playoffs in horror as it was just not that special, leaving room for any team with SPECIAL to come and take trophies whilst the NBA is readjusting in between era's. Portland happens to have the BEST NBA Star who has not won a championship and still in his prime, which gives Portland as good a shot as any to steal an NBA Championship, as Denver did this year. The time is NOW for Portland. Trading Damian Lillard should not be an option. Portland is literally rebuilding with picks and getting better at the same time. Block out the noise and find the right deal to move forward. I imagine Cronin and the Blazers Brass will cook up something similar to this, and hopefully as or more impactful to fill out the roster and make it feel like the 2023 Portland Trail Blazers are Wester Conference Finals Bound!

DISCUSSION:

What is the best deal you can come up with for Anfernee Simons?