Lillard's abdominal injury has greatly affected his performance this season, and the Trail Blazers' record has fluctuated in the first half of the season, and the team almost strategically gave up the season with McCollum also being absent due to injury for a long time . However, no one expected that the 22-year-old Simmons would emerge as the new leader of the team, and under his leadership, the Blazers have won four of their last six games, including the most recent wave of three consecutive wins. Currently, the Trail Blazers have come to a record of 17 wins and 25 losses this season, ranking tenth in the West, and if the season ends today, they have the qualification for the playoffs.
In the past six games, Simmons Jr.'s performance has been phenomenal - averaging 28.3 points per game, ranking fourth in the league, behind James, Alphabet Brother and Embiid in the same period, in addition to the fact that he can average 2.7 rebounds and 9 assists per game. What's even more amazing is his shooting efficiency, with an overall shooting rate of 51.3%, a three-point shooting rate of 45.7%, and an average of 5.3 three-pointers per game, which is also the top of the league in the same period.
Not surprisingly, the sudden rise of Simmons Jr. has made the outside world sound the call of "trading Lillard and helping Simmons". So far this season, Lillard has averaged just 24 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, shooting as low as 40.2 percent from the field and only 32.4 percent from the usually praised three-point range. There may be an impact of an abdominal injury, but it turns out that even Lillard, who is completely healthy and in hot form, cannot lead the team further in the playoffs. What's more, this year's Lillard is 31 years old, and while his state is declining, his desire for a championship is also getting stronger, and since last summer, the media has repeatedly exposed the news that he wants to leave the team.
Compared with Lillard's career into the second half, Simmons Jr., who is only 22 years old this year, is like the rising sun, giving people unlimited expectations and hopes. Although only 22 years old, this is Simmons' fourth season in the league, and he has averaged 14.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, including an average of almost double the number of points per game compared to last season.
In addition to the praise from fans, even former Blazers general manager Neil Olchy has praised the young guard. Recently, he said in an interview with the media that Simmons is the most talented player he has ever selected. Although in Olsey's more than a decade of managerial career, he has selected star players such as Griffin, McCollum and Lillard.
As the Lillard River rises, Simmons soars. This year is the final year of Simmons' rookie contract, and it seems that it is time for the Blazers management to make a decision.