Portland Trail Blazers: 5 goals for Anfernee Simons’ rookie season

4. Make an impact on both ends

If Simons wants to see minutes, he will need to knock down shots on offense and play hard on defense. In Summer League, he showcased both of those traits. Some of Portland’s needs this offseason were defense and guys who can score the ball besides their star players. They did go out and add Seth Curry and Nik Stauskas, but Simons has been impressive with his play and could see playing time early.

On defense, Simons is a smart off-ball defender and competes in one-on-one situations. One of the Blazers’ most significant weaknesses is perimeter defense. Simons, with his 6’9” wingspan and willingness to defend, could help with that and would take a load off Lillard and McCollum on that end.

Simons may be labeled as a scoring guard, but in his pre-draft workout for Portland, he let it be known he likes to play defense. “I have a knack for defending. Staying locked in and defending, I don’t like getting scored on so that’s what keeps me going.”

On offense, Simons can handle the ball and run the offense. He has been comfortable in Summer League creating plays with the ball in his hands. Simons is able to create space to get his shot off and get by his defender for a finish at the rim.

He mainly played off the ball, and that is a role he will most likely play in if he does see minutes this season. The 19-year-old is an excellent 3-point shooter and is smart finding spots to get open. He has a quick trigger on his jumper and already seems comfortable shooting NBA 3-pointers.

The Blazers needed to add guys that could shoot and make plays with the ball in their hands and Simons can do both those things. He is confident on the offensive end and should help the Blazers not miss a beat when Lillard or McCollum is off the floor.