The Portland Trail Blazers could bring in two highly-touted prospects in this year’s NBA Draft.
The Portland Trail Blazers now know that they will be picking at Nos. 7 & 14 in the NBA Draft next month, along with a pair of second-round picks. Plain Suit
Here’s a look at who the team took in the lottery of SB Nation’s latest mock draft from Ricky O’Donnell:
Clingan was super impactful for on both of UConn’s back-to-back national championship runs. He has elite size and length at 7’2 with a 7’7 wingspan, and projects as an excellent rim protector in the league. Clingan impressed with his passing ability this season, and the Blazers already have a several great athletes on the roster who could buzz around him for handoffs and cuts. I do worry about Clingan’s scoring given his lack of vertical pop around the basket. It’s fair to question his conditioning, too, as he only played half the available minutes for UConn this season. Ultimately, the Blazers don’t need another guard or questionable backcourt shooter, and Clingan’s easy translation as a shot blocker is worth adding.
Clingan was brought in by the Blazers for a workout, but it’s unlikely he ends up going to Portland at No. 7. He’ll likely go at some point in the three or four picks before Portland is up at No. 7, but if he’s available, he may be the best player on the board, allowing for the team to take him.
Deandre Ayton is there, but the Blazers aren’t in a position to ditch the best player available strategy at this point in the rebuild.
No. 14 pick (via Warriors) Dalton Knecht
It’s wild to think Knecht is the same age as Jalen Williams, the OKC Thunder wing who spent three years in college and now two years in the NBA. Knecht took a long path to get to this point that involved two seasons of JUCO ball and two years at Northern Colorado, but his production and talent was impossible to deny at Tennessee. He’s one of the best shooters in the class with an easy three-point stroke and real shot versatility. He also has a good frame and enough athletic ability to attack a closeout. He’s going to be a bad defender, and he’ll turn 24 years old as a rookie, but his high volume, highly accurate shooting would be a nice fit around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
Like Clingan, it’s hard to imagine Knecht being available at No. 14, but this appears like both of Portland’s options for the No. 7 pick.
BE community, what do you think of the above prospects? Chime off in the comments below.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/ME/MI/NC/NJ/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY), (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY / text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-522-4700 (NH), 888-789-7777 / visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV). Void where prohibited.
Printed Velvet Fabric 21+ (18+ KY/NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/KY/LA(select parishes)/MA/MD/ME/MI/NC/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/VT/WV/WY only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. See terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS).