Oregon senator calls trading Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday ‘crazy’

Despite his obvious passion for the Portland Trail Blazers, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-District 26) wasn’t overly happy with the team’s recent transaction in advance of Wednesday night’s NBA draft.

HCR 40, a resolution acknowledging the Portland Trail Blazers’ significance to the state, was unanimously approved by the Oregon Senate on Tuesday.

In order to formally recognize the Blazers’ exceptional cultural and economic achievements to the state and to persuade the NBA and a potential new owner to retain the team in Portland, Bonham introduced the bill.

He did so while criticizing the impending trade that was announced Monday, which sent guard Jrue Holiday, 35, to the Boston Celtics in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons, 26.

It is not possible to complete the trade until early July.

Bonham stroked the side of his head and remarked, “It’s interesting. I was watching the news last night and I saw that we traded Anfernee Simons.” I thought, “Damn it, anyway, I’m going to carry this bill tomorrow as I want to stay in Oregon and talk about my hometown team, and I believe they just did something crazy.”

After grinning, Bonham went on, “Am I permitted to criticize the Portland Trail Blazers’ general management?”

There was laughs at the query. He then read the following passage from a BlazersEdge.com story about the trade: In order to save money or obtain future draft capital, a team will typically trade for a younger, more talented player. A team seldom receives a failing grade in each of those four areas.

The Blazers acquired the considerably older Holiday, a two-time All-Star, in exchange for Simons, who played in Rip City for seven seasons, and two second-round selections. Given his defensive skills, Holiday could theoretically improve the squad.

However, Holiday owes $104 million over the next three seasons, while Simons has one year left on his contract at $27.6 million.

After criticizing the deal, Bonham went on to say that supporters are fueled by these kinds of feelings. But isn’t this what’s so wonderful about being a fan? We get to reminisce about the times of Terry Porter, Mercy Jerome Kersey, and Clyde Drexler.

Bonham went on to discuss the team’s two trips to the finals in the early 1990s, the 1977 championship team, former player Damian Lillard, and how the franchise brings its supporters together.

“Just consider how much we quarrel,” he remarked. Consider how different we are. However, we would all be eating popcorn, sipping Coke, and supporting the red and black if we went to a Portland Trailblazer game. Correct? It’s bringing people together.

Finally, Bonham sold the bill.

The upcoming season will be difficult. “I’m excited for the draft,” he remarked. Above all, though, I’m excited to keep the Portland Trail Blazers in Oregon. I believe it is worth our vote if we can convey to the globe that we adore our Trail Blazers and want them to be here. Please support HR40 with me.

ESPN will broadcast the draft, which begins at 5 p.m., and the Blazers will hold the No. 11 choice.

Last month, the Paul Allen estate declared that the Blazers were up for sale, with the possibility that the process would continue into the following campaign. Allen passed away from non-Hodgkin lymphoma complications in 2018 at the age of 65. Jody Allen, his sister, is the trustee of the Paul G. Allen trust and has served as the franchise chair.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has stated that he is adamantly opposed to franchise relocation, hence it is not anticipated. It’s not completely impossible, though, for a new owner to try to relocate the team.

Bill sponsor and Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman (D-Tigard) stated last week to The Oregonian/OregonLive that he is not too worried about the team moving. Nonetheless, he stated that the state ought to show that the Oregon government respects and backs the franchise, which has been in business in Portland since 1970.

According to a 2024 economic impact assessment contained in the agreement, the Blazers were responsible for $453 million of the $670 million made by Rose Quarter activity.

Last month, Sen. Ron Wyden made the same request in an open letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

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