NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting shooting guards for 2023-24

18. Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers

One very big reason why the Portland Trail Blazers aren’t that interested in the prospect of adding Tyler Herro in a potential package for Damian Lillard revolves around Anfernee Simons and the potential developmental jump that he could be preparing to make heading into this season. As a late first-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, you can make the argument that Simons has already surpassed logical expectations during his first five seasons with the Blazers.

Coming off the best season of his career to date, Simons averaged 21 points and four assists on 38 percent shooting from 3-point range. And the hope is that he will take another tangible step in his progression as a player. If he can, the Blazers could really be onto something with their current core.

While he’s clearly talented, it’s about consistency and proving it over the course of another 82-game season. Simons needs to continue to stack productive seasons together in order to move up on this list. He has the potential to be a star player in this league but needs to continue to grow as a player, particularly defensively and as a playmaker.