Matas Buzelis emerged as the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and has already begun to make teams like the Portland Trail Blazers reflect on their decision to pass on him. After a solid rookie season where he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, Buzelis averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists with shooting splits of 45/36/82. Though Portland chose Donovan Clingan, who also made the All-Rookie Second Team, Buzelis’s potential as a star has become vividly apparent.
During the Chicago Bulls’ preseason, Buzelis has taken his game to another level, averaging 16.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in three games, raising questions about what the Trail Blazers missed out on. While Clingan provides valuable rim protection and rebounding, Buzelis has shown he possesses a higher ceiling in terms of offensive prowess and versatility.
Standing at 6-foot-10, Buzelis embodies the type of length and multi-position capability that Portland’s general manager, Joe Cronin, values. He would have complemented players like Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara, enhancing the team’s adaptability and giving head coach Chauncey Billups more strategic options on the court.
Portland has been meticulously scouting Yang Hansen for the past two years, leading to a curious drafting strategy. General discussions indicated the Blazers hoped to choose Hansen in the same draft as Clingan. It raises the question: why opt for Clingan over Buzelis if they had planned to secure Hansen?
With the recent buyout of Deandre Ayton, Portland finds itself with a crowded center position involving Clingan, Hansen, and Robert Williams III, who is dealing with health concerns. Clingan and Hansen are more traditional centers with limitations in versatility, especially regarding guarding in today’s fast-paced NBA. Buzelis, on the other hand, offers the ability to effectively play the power forward spot, potentially alleviating some of the team’s upcoming challenges.
Had Portland opted for Buzelis, it could have resolved many current issues: a crowded center roster, a lack of star power, and the struggle to generate offense. Furthermore, securing Buzelis would have provided a favorable alternative if the Blazers sought to trade Jerami Grant, given their similar skill sets in length and floor spacing.
Despite reservations about Clingan’s selection, his high floor likely gave the Blazers confidence to pursue a higher-risk, high-reward player in Hansen. As the Blazers grapple with their position in the competitive Western Conference, selecting a talent like Buzelis might have significantly closed the performance gap with their rivals. The missed opportunity could serve as a learning experience, prompting the organization to refine their drafting strategies for future seasons.
Moving forward, hope remains in Portland’s ongoing talent evaluation and development efforts as they strive to build a more competitive roster.