Portland shuffles supporting cast, but it’s still all about the guards

Storyline No. 1: Is Anfernee Simons ready?

Arguably a bigger X-factor than Hassan Whiteside, second-year guard Anfernee Simons looks to make an impact this season. The Portland Trail Blazers are giving him a runway to do so, as evidenced by the lack of guard depth after him and the two stars.

The word on Simons is positive; he’s a lightning-quick guard with the tools and scoring prowess to really take off next to either Damian Lillard or CJ McCollum. It’s been evident in preseason, as he’s averaged 15.0 points on a .432/.588/.750 slash line. He’s also logged the most minutes of any Blazer at 25.3 per contest.

Functionally, the team needs him to step in and be effective. The only backup ball handler competing for minutes is London Perrantes, who has logged only 28 minutes through three exhibition games.

If Terry Stotts embraces the staggering of Lillard and McCollum, this issue will be somewhat mitigated. Having one of them on the court at all times would make the lack of guard depth (and depth in general) much easier to swallow.

It’s still surprising how much opportunity Simons is slated for this season. The lion’s share of his rookie season came in Portland’s final game against the Bucks, when he played the entire game and six only Blazers took the court overall.

Based on the construct of the roster, Simons must be poised for a big year. The Blazers will need it.