Blazers select pair of guards in Simons, Trent Jr.
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired two guards during Thursday's NBA draft, landing IMG Academy's Anfernee Simons and Duke's Gary Trent Jr.
2018 ScheduleAll times ET
2018 Schedule
49-33, 1st in Northwest
- 3/1W 108-99
- 3/3W 108-100
- 3/5W 108-103
- 3/6W 111-87
- 3/9W 125-108
- 3/12W 115-99
- 3/15W 113-105
- 3/17W 100-87
- 3/18W 122-109
- 3/20L 115-111
- 3/23L 105-100
- 3/25W 108-105
- 3/27W 107-103
- 3/28L 108-103
- 3/30W 105-96
- 4/1W 113-98
- 4/3L 115-109
- 4/5L 96-94
- 4/7L 116-105
- 4/9L 88-82
- 4/11W 102-93
- 4/14L 97-95
- 4/17L 111-102
- 4/19L 119-102
- 4/21L 131-123
- Full Schedule
Kevin Pelton ESPN Staff Writer
The Portland Trail Blazers acquiring the rights to Gary Trent Jr. via trade gives them the player I rated the best shooter among likely 2018 draft picks. Trent could eventually play the role Allen Crabbe once filled in Portland.
Prospect Profile: Anfernee Simons (0:35)
Walton reflects on the time Dr. J dunked on him (1:00)
What moves can and should the Blazers make now?
What moves should the Trail Blazers make? We look ahead to the decisions Portland faces this offseason.
Prospect Profile: Gary Trent Jr. (0:32)
LeBron: Everyone saw Durant's potential 'besides Portland' (1:14)
Ohm Youngmisuk ESPN Staff Writer
Anfernee Simons, named by his parents after Penny Hardaway, worked out for the Lakers today and is eager to show teams that he is NBA-ready despite skipping one year of college for the IMG Prep Academy. The 6-4 guard averaged 22.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and shot 45% from 3 for the post-grad team and he turns 19 on June 8. Simons — who has worked out for Chicago, Phoenix and Portland and has visits scheduled with Utah, Orlando, the Knicks, Philadelphia and Milwaukee — said he made an impression on Lakers president Magic Johnson and GM Rob Pelinka. "They said you played really well and they were impressed by me coming in being so young and playing like I'm older than everybody else," Simons said.
DeRozan, Embiid to play in NBA's Africa game
Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid to participate in the NBA's exhibition game in South Africa.
How signature sneakers have taken over the NBA
Draymond Green stopped wearing LeBrons before the 2015 Finals, but more than two-thirds of the NBA laced up another player's sneakers in 2017-18.
Is Damian Lillard underrated? (1:57)
Is Lillard deserving of All-NBA nod over Westbrook? (1:59)
RR: NBA blow it up rankings plus story time
Russillo rants about the Celtics/Sixers series including why the process is still a success, gives his NBA 'blow it up' rankings plus updates his life status.
Stephen A. to McCollum: Portland should trade you or Lillard (2:50)
McCollum: Warriors on the cusp of something special (2:18)
CJ McCollum breaks down mistakes in Pelicans series (2:31)
Joe Namath and CJ McCollum join Get Up
Joe Namath joins Get Up to talk Saban and Bear Bryant, Sam Darnold and fashion. CJ McCollum drops by to break down the NBA Playoffs and the Blazers' season.
McCollum talks dealing with rumors, playing with Lillard and more with Bomani
Bomani Jones is joined by Trail Blazers G CJ McCollum to dish on a wide variety of topics, such as the relationship between NBA players and the media (4:08), dealing with trade rumors (8:56), his past as a "short guy"(16:44), coming out of Lehigh (19:23), this postseason (23:53) and much more.
Chris Haynes ESPN Staff Writer
ESPN Sources: Phoenix has removed Jay Triano from consideration for its head coaching position. Triano served as the interim coach. Assistant coach Ty Corbin has been relieved of his duties.
Chris Haynes ESPN Staff Writer
Orlando has been granted permission to interview Portland assistant David Vanterpool for its vacant head coach position, league sources tell ESPN. Under Vanterpool, Trail Blazers finished seventh in defensive efficiency.
The "LeBrance" saga; Omar Epps joins
Kayla Johnson, Justin Tinsley, Tesfaye Negussie & Terrika Foster-Brasby weigh in on the NBA playoff drama, predict who goes No. 1 in the NFL draft, share their thoughts on Adrien Broner's comments and more. Plus, actor Omar Epps joins the show!
Jerome Kersey's legacy extends beyond Blazers basketball (4:27)
Blazers lack flexibility to improve team (1:55)
Chris Haynes ESPN Staff Writer
Portland GM Neil Olshey: "You don't take four games and overreact and diminish what you've accomplished over 82 games...I would rather trust the team that I saw over 82 games than the team I saw over four games."
Pelicans take care of business at home to sweep Portland (1:06)
2017-18 Northwest Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 49 | 33 | .598 | - | W1 |
| Oklahoma City | 48 | 34 | .585 | 1 | W3 |
| Utah | 48 | 34 | .585 | 1 | L1 |
| Minnesota | 47 | 35 | .573 | 2 | W3 |
| Denver | 46 | 36 | .561 | 3 | L1 |
Team Leaders 2017-18
- Offense
- Defense
Points Per Game
Assists Per Game
Field Goal Percentage
Rebounds Per Game
Steals Per Game
Blocks Per Game
Team Stats
Points Per Game105.616th
Rebounds Per Game45.5Tied-3rd
Assists Per Game19.530th
Points Allowed103.05th
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2018 Draft Picks
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(24) | Anfernee Simons | SG |
Team History
| YEAR | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 49 | 33 | .598 |
| 2016-17 | 41 | 41 | .500 |
| 2015-16 | 44 | 38 | .537 |
| 2014-15 | 51 | 31 | .622 |
| 2013-14 | 54 | 28 | .659 |