Ben Simmons can play the power-forward position, not just be a point guard

Already having Damian Lillard, Portland does not need to bring in another point guard, but Ben Simmons is not just a facilitator. He has been known for being the point guard in Philly over the years, but he is more than capable of playing the power-forward position and could even play a brand of “positionless” basketball in Portland. 

He cannot shoot and is not really a factor offensively outside of the paint, which is why Portland would not want to put him on the wing, but he really could play anywhere on the floor for the Trail Blazers.

This would all depend on what the new head coach of the team would want scheme wise, but with Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons leading this team on the court, they really would not have “set” positions. 

Both Lillard and Simmons could handle the ball and putting Damian Lillard off-the-ball on some sets may actually be beneficial for him. Having Lillard run off some screens and taking a break here and there from doing everything would not onl keep him fresh, but set him up for more isolation plays when he is on the receiving end of a play. 

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Not to mention, with Ben Simmons being as tall and lengthy as he is and given how great of a passer Lillard is, these two could connect various times in a game on alley-oops in transition and play a lot of 2-on-2 basketball like the Nuggets have had success doing over the years with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. 

Ben Simmons has struggled on offense for the 76ers and is still a “work in progress,” but he is very versatile in terms of where he can play and who he can defend on a basketball court. Bringing him in should not really create a conflict with Damian Lillard being this team’s main facilitator and ball-handler.