Heading into the 2022-23 NBA season, which Portland Trail Blazers player has the most to prove?
Is it Damian Lillard, returning to play again after an injury-plagued, underwhelming season? Maybe Nassir Little, stepping into a contract year and likely the starting lineup? Or is it 22-year-old shooting guard Anfernee Simons, fresh off signing a four-year, $100 contract?
According to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov — in a piece that posed this question for all 30 NBA teams — the primary answer in Rip City has to be Simons.
Vorkunov acknowledged that Simons showed great growth last season, but most of the dazzling play that earned him a new deal came when the season was already lost.