Anfernee Simons returned to Portland on Sunday for the first time since he was traded from the Celtics to the Trail Blazers last summer. He got all the typical dealings of a homecoming, including a welcome back video in the first quarter of the Celtics’ loss to the Blazers.
Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter talked about Simons ahead of the game, praising the guard for his production to open the season. Splitter joined the Blazers last summer, so he didn’t get a chance to coach Simons. But he was complimentary about the former Blazers guard.
“He’s a very talented player,” Splitter told reporters in Portland. “We all know that. You guys watched him more than me. One of the best players coming off the bench. Maybe third- or fourth-most points coming off the bench. Dangerous player. Gets excited to come back to Portland and play well, just like (Payton) Pritchard. Those guys, they’re going to come with a different edge.”
Simons spent the first seven years of his NBA career in Portland, picked 24th overall in the 2018 draft. With the Blazers, he went from teenager to No. 1 scoring option as he’s talked glowingly about his time in the organization. Portland elected to move him last summer in the Jrue Holiday deal, hoping Holiday could mentor some of its young guards.
Simons has averaged 12.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31 games with the Celtics, all coming off the bench. It’s a new role for Simons as a reserve considering he had started every game for the Blazers over the previous three seasons. But he’s embraced his role, which Simons has done ever since he landed in Boston.
It’s an important stretch for Simons because he’s in a contract year with the Celtics. He has one year and $27.7 million left on his contract. With the C’s looking to cut salary, there’s a chance he could be moved ahead of February’s trade deadline. It’s regardless a time of change for Simons after a lot of stability earlier in his career in Portland.