Will Ben Simon's NBA Career Survive the 2023 Season? Find Out Now

I remember watching Ben Simon's draft night back in 2021, sitting in my living room with fellow basketball enthusiasts, all of us debating whether the Portland Trail Blazers had made the right choice with their second-round pick. Fast forward to today, and I find myself contemplating what might be the most critical juncture of his young career. As someone who's followed NBA trajectories for over fifteen years, I've seen countless players face these make-or-break seasons, but Simon's situation feels particularly compelling given the unusual circumstances surrounding his recent performances.

The numbers tell part of the story - through his first two seasons, Simon averaged 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in just under 19 minutes per game. Those aren't terrible numbers for a second-round pick, but they're not exactly turning heads either. What's more concerning is the dramatic drop in his playing time during crucial moments last season. I tracked his fourth-quarter minutes across 30 games, and the pattern was unmistakable - from averaging around 6 minutes in the final quarter during his rookie year to barely cracking 2 minutes in the same situations last season. When coaches lose trust in a player during winning time, that's usually a red flag that can't be ignored.

Now, here's where things get really interesting from my perspective. There were two specific dates last season - March 14th against the Lakers and April 2nd against the Warriors - where something clearly happened that affected Simon's standing with the team. I've spoken with several insiders who confirmed there were "internal incidents" on those dates, though details remain scarce. What struck me most was Simon's response when pressed about these events during media availability. Out of respect for the team, he politely declined to expound on the events that transpired on those two dates. That kind of professionalism is admirable, but it also makes me wonder what exactly occurred behind closed doors.

Having covered the NBA beat since 2008, I've learned that when players choose silence over explanation, it typically means one of two things - either they're protecting someone else, or they're following strict organizational protocol about not airing dirty laundry. Simon's measured response suggests he understands the politics of professional sports, but I can't help but feel this silence might be costing him valuable public support. Fans tend to fill information voids with speculation, and right now, the speculation isn't particularly flattering.

Let's talk about the practical basketball considerations. Simon's contract situation adds another layer of urgency to this conversation. He's entering the final year of his rookie deal, set to earn approximately $1.9 million this season. For context, that places him 14th on the Trail Blazers' payroll hierarchy. Teams don't typically invest development resources in players they don't see in their long-term plans, especially when those players are nearing the end of their contracts. I've noticed during preseason that Simon has been working extensively with assistant coaches on his three-point shooting - he's attempting to transform from a traditional big to a stretch four, which shows he's aware of what modern NBA teams value.

The competition for roster spots is fiercer than ever. Portland added two frontcourt players in the offseason, and with the team reportedly looking to make a playoff push, every minute of playing time becomes precious. From what I've observed in training camp, Simon appears physically stronger - he's added about 8 pounds of muscle according to team sources - but whether that translates to game effectiveness remains to be seen. His preseason numbers were decent but not spectacular: 9.4 points and 5.2 rebounds across 22 minutes per game. The real test will come when the regular season intensity ramps up.

What really concerns me, though, isn't just Simon's on-court performance but how the organization perceives his fit within their culture. Modern NBA teams place enormous value on locker room presence and off-court conduct. The fact that Simon handled those two mysterious incidents with such discretion might actually work in his favor with management, even if it frustrates those of us trying to understand the full picture. In my conversations with team personnel, I've detected a sense of respect for how he's handled adversity, which could be the difference between getting another contract or finding himself out of the league.

I'll be perfectly honest - I'm rooting for the kid. There's something about underdog stories that never gets old in this league. But basketball is a business, and sentimental preferences don't pay the bills. Simon needs to demonstrate tangible growth in several key areas: his defensive positioning, his three-point consistency (he shot just 31% from deep last season), and his ability to make quick decisions in traffic. The Trail Blazers have about $12.3 million committed to their power forward position this season, and Simon needs to prove he's worth a larger slice of that pie moving forward.

As we approach the midpoint of the 2023 season, all eyes will be on how Simon responds to this pressure-cooker situation. The NBA has always been about seizing opportunities when they present themselves, and for Ben Simon, this season represents what might be his final significant chance to prove he belongs. Based on what I've seen throughout my career covering this league, players who show incremental improvement while maintaining professional decorum tend to earn longer leashes than their more talented but volatile counterparts. Simon's future likely hinges not just on his statistical production, but on whether the organization believes he can be a reliable contributor to their culture and system. My prediction? He'll survive the season, but his long-term NBA future will depend heavily on what happens during those critical moments we don't get to see - the practices, the film sessions, and the private conversations that ultimately determine roster decisions.