this may be what you're referring to?
https://nateduncannba.com/podcast-episodes/jake-fischer-assesses-the-2025-deadline/
Blazer talk starts at the 32:20 mark
not sure I agree with how you assessed their valuation of Simons. They did say there would be some interest. I didn't hear Fischer say Portland hadn't shopped Simons yet, but I'd tend to think that's entirely possible
earlier in the podcast they both talked about their thinking that the Blazers sat too long on players, especially Grant, who they thought Portland could have got more value around last season's trade deadline when he was playing much better. They did theorize for players like Grant-Simons, Cam Johnson, Kuzma, etc. there was a hard ceiling on how high their value could go, but a very soft floor on how low their value could drop. Seems like we're seeing that all across the league
they both agreed that Ayton + his contract had no value....which = negative value with Portland's situation