Anfernee Simons will be a restricted free agent this summer but the young Trail Blazers guard is content with his current situation.
Simons, who is enjoying a breakout season, says he has no desire to go anywhere else, according to Ben Pickman of Sports Illustrated.
“I 100% want to stay in Portland,” Simons said. “And I think everybody wants me to stay as well. I think it’s a perfect fit for me.”
Simons, a 2018 first-round pick, played a backup role in his first three seasons. Injuries to CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, and the subsequent trade of McCollum to New Orleans, opened up a starting spot for Simons and he’s thrived under first-year head coach and former NBA point guard Chauncey Billups.
He’s averaging 17.0 PPG and 3.9 APG in 29.3 MPG. As a starter, he’s averaging 22.0 PPG and 5.8 APG.
The current qualifying offer for Portland to make Simons a restricted free agent is $5,758,551. However, he could meet the starter criteria before the season’s end, which would increase that figure to $7,921,300.
It seems a formality that the Trail Blazers will extend the QO, which would allow them to match any offer sheet to Simons.
He views the McCollum trade as another sign that the front office is keen on re-signing him.
“I have a management that really believes in me and wants to see me succeed and wants me to help them reach a championship level,” the 22-year-old said.
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