An NBA rebuild doesn’t have to be a painful experience. Sure, there will be rough stretches. Your team may not be watchable for a long time. Yet, something is exciting about pulling for a young team. You get in on the ground floor of a process that, in time, ought to be highly rewarding.
That said, fans of the Detroit Pistons may be waiting for their reward. This team has been in the NBA’s cellar for quite some time. They surely would like to see their team take a step forward by now. If they’re lucky, that will happen this season.
By contrast, Portland Trail Blazers fans will have to be patient. This team just started rebuilding. After years of speculation, the Blazers finally traded Damian Lillard. Could they eventually trade Anfernee Simons? Could they send him to the Pistons?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F Joe Harris, F/C Isaiah Stewart, 2025 First-Round Pick (DET), 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – DET)
Detroit Pistons Receive: G Anfernee Simons
In fact, being in a rebuild isn’t the worst situation a team can find themselves in. That would be the middle. The NBA’s middle class finds themselves in the least intriguing position. They aren’t talented enough to win, but they aren’t bad enough to land lottery picks, either.
For some time, that’s where the Blazers were stuck. If they ever put a serious title contender around Lillard, it only happened once. Yet, something interesting has happened over the last couple of years. The Blazers have been tanking – even with Lillard on the roster. A couple of injuries and a lack of depth allowed Portland to land some high picks even with Lillard on the roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers & Detroit Pistons Updates
As a result, they’ve got a head start on their rebuild. Still, make no mistake: the Blazers just began rebuilding. They’re in year one. This team needs to be focused on accumulating talent before they’re concerned with winning games. Does that mean that they should trade Simons?
The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Blazers have a lot of exciting decisions to make. They need to trade Malcolm Brogdon. They could also trade Robert Williams III, although they may experiment with dual big lineups featuring him and Ayton. Yet, Portland may need to think about trading Simons as well.
Sure, he’s young enough to be part of a rebuild. At the same time, he’s older than Shaedon Sharpe. The Blazers will look at lineups featuring all three of Sharpe, Simons, and Scoot Henderson. Just don’t be surprised if their future is brighter with Henderson and Sharpe alongside a defensive wing.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers & Detroit Pistons Updates
If that’s the case, Simons would be the odd man out. Here, the Blazers are flipping him for a first-round pick and a swap. They’re also landing an interesting young player in Stewart. He may be able to replicate some of Williams III’s impact while providing the floor spacing that he’ll need to play alongside Ayton. Should the Pistons give up such a valuable player?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
There’s one positive associated with being in the lottery for a long time. It allows a team to stockpile a lot of lottery talent. The Pistons have done that. At the same time, there are concerns about how the pieces on this roster fit.
The Pistons have a lot of playmaking. On the other hand, they’ve got very little shooting in their young core. That’s likely why they acquired Harris in the first place. Fair – but wouldn’t Detroit benefit from having a shooter who can age with the rest of their core?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers & Detroit Pistons Updates
Simons is that type of player. He’s a knockdown shooter who can also create his own shot. The Pistons may have to ask themselves some questions after this deal – what happens with Jaden Ivey, for example? Still, this deal makes them a better team without entirely shortchanging their future. At this point, that’s surely something that their fanbase is ready for.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
