Five Draft Prospects who the Blazers will target w/poll
I am aware Blazers don't have a pick, but a draft day deal could land them possibly in the late first/2nd round territory, especially if Olshey targets a certain guy as he is known to do. I am well aware many fans are against making any moves at all in the midst of all this winning. Stay away from tinkering until the season plays out. If that is the route you prefer this is the post for you.
I was thinking about the Spurs with their core, they drafted it all. Not only that but a lot of quality role players all came as a result of "The San Antonio System" of one Gregg Pops. Develop young talent, to eventually have them be a role player next to your upper tier talent. This draft(Free agency is for another day) is supposed to be legendary. There are some prospects projected there right now that could be great NBA players. I'll throw out some kids who have really impressed so far & could be had later in the draft, I've also linked their ESPN profiles on their names.
-The prospects-
PG/SG: Jordan Clarkson - Mizzou - 6'5" Point guard! Shooting 50% on nearly 20ppg, playing really good defense. Not a great playmaker yet but still young. Not a good from 3 this year but hit 37% on 100+ attempts last year. Downside of a Rodney Stuckey? Sky is the limit if he learned to pass better. With Lillard being an outside guy primarily at this point in his career it would be nice to have an aggressive PG coming off the bench being able to get efficient shots in the paint.
SF: Kyle Anderson - UCLA - This guy just went head to head with Jabari Parker in Madison Square Garden. That not enough? 6'8 small forward who can play efficient offense, great passer(6apg), good rebounder, solid defender... Sound like anyone on our roster you recognize? He is like Batum Jr. Which would be ideal long term to have a guy that could mimic Nic while he is on the bench. Look at his team mates face with this flashy pass!
PF:
Adrian Payne - Michigan State - Sticking with the comparisons, here is LaMarcus Aldridge lite. 6'10", 245lbs.
Freakishly good outside shot, solid defender. Unlike Aldridge he has range beyond the arc shooting 46% on 3 attempts per game WHAT? Another difference is he stayed 4 years. 50% from the field. 17ppg, 8rpg with a steal, block & assist thrown in. Like Anderson could be nice to have a guy who could recreate what the starters bring. Also with a long term chance to be eventually(a long time from now) a starter after Aldridge retires a Blazer after 5 straight rings
Look familiar?
or
Mitch McGary - Michigan - Who likes them some meat & taters? That is M&M. Does the dirty work including ferocious screens & mean defense. An intimidator. Compared to Bill Laimbeer said one website(lets not get ahead of ourselves).
C:
Jordan Bachynski - Arizona State - Introducing your possible center of the future after Lopez. This canadian born giant(7'2", 250) has broken out this year. After not quite having the patience to defend the low block, the game has slown down in his senior year. A meteoric rise is the result. 4.5 blocks per game, 13ppg(66% FG), 10rpg. Whats funny is seeing the size he is I know you expect him to be a slow plodder... He is legit fast for his size & can finish around the basket with authority. Get him behind Lopez for a few years & see if he can develop into our guy. What I like is unlike Leonard he is a seasoned senior & much more likely to be able to make an impact early in his career. Only weakness they said is recovering on more agile big men, but with Stotts system defensively the center stays close to the basket. Could be our primary backup C right away even. He certainly has the hair to pull it off.
Of the bunch who would you prefer, vote in the poll! Who are some other players in college right now you would like in a Blazers uni & why?(Aside from the obvious superstar talent below the 20's picks) Lets go Rip City!
