The Portland Trail Blazers said goodbye to four players this offseason, not counting two-way contract guys. That list is headlined by center Deandre Ayton and guard Anfernee Simons, but it also includes reserves Jabari Walker and Dalano Banton.
Those four are at the heart of today’s community discussion question: Which of the departing Trail Blazers players will play the best during the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season?
After two seasons in Portland, Ayton reached a contract buyout with the Blazers so the franchise
could clear the center rotation for young bigs Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen. In turn, the free-agency freedom opened the door for Ayton to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, where the former No. 1 overall pick will immediately slot in as the starting center on a roster captained by Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Perhaps, the elevated talent around Ayton and a better shot at postseason success can elevate his play and recalibrate his reputation around the league as a talented double-double machine who hasn’t lived up to his lofty potential.
For the first time in his seven-year NBA career, the 26-year-old Simons will play for a team other than the Trail Blazers this upcoming season. Portland traded Simons to the Boston Celtics in a one-for-one swap for veteran guard Jrue Holiday. Whether Simons ends up playing the season in Boston or the franchise moves him elsewhere, a change of scenery and a more tailored role could do wonders for the guard renowned for scoring hot streaks, helping him relocate his mojo after a down year shooting the basketball.
The Blazers chose not to extend a qualifying offer to Walker in late June, and the hustling fan favorite found a new home through free agency by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-way contract. In Philadelphia, Walker will likely have to work his way into the rotation as the season progresses.
The Blazers and Banton also didn’t re-up their partnership in free agency this summer. Instead, Portland signed free agent guard Blake Wesley to its deep bench guard role, while Banton is still an unrestricted free agent at the time of this writing.
Unless readers are especially bullish on the future play of Walker and Banton, today’s community discussion question will likely come down to a two-man race between Ayton and Simons. Both were starters in Portland last season. At the very least, they project as regular rotation players at their next stops, too.
But what do you think, Blazer’s Edge readers? Let us know in the comments below!
