Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report recently mentioned that he doesn’t think Anfernee Simons is being actively shopped by the Portland Trail Blazers. Highkin’s update doesn’t guarantee that the Blazers will keep Simons, but it does appear more likely than many initially expected.
If that is the direction in which general manager Joe Cronin is taking the roster, the 2025 NBA Draft should be telling. With their No. 11 overall selection, Portland would no longer have to consider taking a replacement for Simons and could instead shift its focus elsewhere. They would be wise to target a forward, specifically Arizona’s Carter Bryant or Ratiopharm Ulm’s Noa Essengue.
Blazers must surround Anfernee Simons with the right pieces
Assuming they do keep Simons, Portland must continue bolstering its identity to complement his skillset. Portland finally learned its lesson with Damian Lillard and how not to build a contender around an offensive-minded guard. They’re finally taking the opposite approach with Simons, who has an eerily similar skillset.
Simons has consistently had the worst defensive rating on Portland’s roster. Surrounding him with two-way pieces such as Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Donovan Clingan in the frontcourt is precisely what the Blazers need to cover for his limitations. Adding Bryant or Essengue to the mix would be the perfect fit for that.
It would also be a dream scenario if they could select one of these forwards to replace Jerami Grant if they manage to offload his contract this summer. The benefit of having Camara and Avdija’s versatility is that they can both effectively play multiple positions, giving Chauncey Billups much more lineup flexibility. But that luxury only works if someone can slide into the other forward spot.
Why Bryant and Essengue should be Portland’s top options
The Blazers need more forward depth, regardless of what happens with Grant. With a top eight consensus of prospects forming — one that doesn’t include Bryant or Essengue — odds are in their favor that at least one of these players will be available.
Of the forward options potentially available, these two make the most sense from a fit standpoint. Both are relatively raw — Bryant averaged just 6.5 points and less than 20 minutes per game at Arizona, while Essengue averaged 12.4 points in 23.7 minutes at Ulm. But they have safer floors than some would expect because they already impact winning at a high level without being their team’s go-to option, meaning their roles should translate seamlessly.
Bryant is more of a 3-and-D option, which the Blazers desperately need after ranking near the bottom in three-point efficiency the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Essengue arguably offers more upside with his frame, rapidly improving game, and the fact that he’s the second youngest player in the draft.
Portland needs both shooting and upside from this lottery selection. The question is, which one do they value more? We’d lean towards the latter in Essengue, as shooting is much easier to add elsewhere (or develop) than potential star power.
Regardless, the Blazers should be thrilled if one of these two prospects is on the board at No. 11. Either would be a perfect fit for their roster if Portland decides to move forward with Simons in the backcourt.
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