The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised 2020-21 team options on the rookie contracts of forward/center Zach Collins and guard Anfernee Simons, it was announced today by president of basketball operations Neil Olshey.
Anfernee Simons Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: G
Born: 06/08/99
Height: 6-3 / 1.91
Weight:180 lbs. / 81.6 kg.
Salary: $2,149,560
Born: 06/08/99
Height: 6-3 / 1.91
Weight:180 lbs. / 81.6 kg.
Salary: $2,149,560
Adrian Wojnarowski: Portland has exercised fourth year option on Zach Collins and third year option for Anfernee Simons, league source tells ESPN.
David Aldridge: For Portland, Bazemore gives them a veteran wing in case they can’t re-sign Rodney Hood. In addition, the Blazers believe that second-year guard Anfernee Simons can handle the backup PG role behind Damian Lillard that Turner held the last couple of years.
Kerry Eggers: Neil Olshey, beginning his eighth year as GM of the @Portland Trail Blazers, on @Anfernee Simons: “In terms of God-given basketball ability, he’s as talented as anyone we’ve ever drafted since I’ve been here. We’re expecting big things from him.” #RipCity
“His potential is crazy,” Lillard said. The next day, at the team’s exit interviews, Lillard said he sees himself in Simons. “His demeanor is what sold me,” Lillard said. “It kind of reminded me of myself a lot — just how in a room full of grown men in the locker room he was never uncomfortable. He was never — if everybody is one side, he’s not going to agree with everybody because he feels he has to. He stands on his own two feet.
Barring some moves, that likely leaves Simons and Evan Turner as backup ball handlers behind Lillard and McCollum. And at first blush, many believe Simons is ready to absorb the responsibility. “I think Anfernee is extremely, extremely talented,” Maurice Harkless said. “I think he is going to be a good player in this league for many years. I think given the opportunity to play, he will play well. I don’t know when that opportunity will come, whether it be this year or the next year, but I’ve seen him put in a ton of work and I’ve seen how talented he is in practice and open run, so I’m excited to see his growth over the summer.”
