The NBA draft lottery brought disappointment to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. Despite entering with the 10th-best odds for the top pick at 3.7%, they ended up with the No. 11 selection. This marks the third time in four lottery appearances that the Blazers have fallen short of advancing.
In previous years, they dropped from sixth to seventh in 2022, from fifth to seventh in 2023, and moved up from fifth to third last year. This time around, the Blazers had a 16.9% chance of landing in the top four but missed out on the opportunity to snag top prospects like Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, or Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe. The top four picks in this year’s draft went to Dallas, San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Charlotte.
Despite the setback, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin found a silver lining. He expressed optimism about the draft, stating, “This is a draft that we like. We like the depth of it. There’s good players all throughout the lottery.”
With the 11th pick, the Blazers have a variety of intriguing prospects to consider. As the draft approaches on June 25-26, the outcomes of the upcoming NBA combine will likely help shape the prospects’ standings. Additionally, Cronin hinted at the possibility of trading the pick, emphasizing the need for open-mindedness in their approach.
Here are six potential players who could be available for the Blazers at No. 11:
1. **Derik Queen (Maryland)**: A versatile power forward/center, Queen averaged 16.5 points and 9 rebounds in his freshman season. He has been recognized for his scoring abilities but needs to improve his defensive game.
2. **Jase Richardson (Michigan State)**: The freshman shooting guard averaged 12.1 points with a commendable 41.2% from three-point range. Being the son of NBA veteran Jason Richardson, he brings shooting talent potentially valuable for the Blazers.
3. **Kon Knueppel (Duke)**: The small forward demonstrated capable shooting with averages of 14.4 points and a 47.9% shooting percentage from three-point range. Given the Blazers’ need for shooting, Knueppel could be a great fit.
4. **Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois)**: This point guard averaged 15 points and 4.7 assists but is considered more of a half-court player, which might not suit the Blazers’ style of play.
5. **Asa Newell (Georgia)**: Newell, a power forward/center, has shown great potential, averaging 15.4 points and demonstrating solid finishing skills. His development could make him a valuable asset.
6. **Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)**: At 6’8″, he embodies a unique combination of height and bulk, averaging 16.8 points and 8.3 rebounds. His ability to score inside could complement the team’s needs, although he poses some concerns defensively.
The Blazers are faced with uncertainty but also have the opportunity to reshape their roster. The upcoming combine and draft will be crucial as the team looks to build on its potential and address its needs effectively. With a positive outlook, the Blazers may have the chance to find valuable young talent to bolster their lineup.