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NBA Draft 2017: Portland Trail Blazers draft Caleb Swanigan with 26th pick

By Joe Chambers

Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) reacts during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) reacts during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Blazers draft Purdue forward Caleb Swanigan with the 26th pick.

Caleb Swanigan comes to the Portland Trail Blazers with the 26th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The 6’9″, 250-pound center contributed to the Boilermakers with 18.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

He adds a lot of versatility and can run the floor, which will help the front court who struggled tremendously this past season. He was one of the best rebounders in college basketball last year. Swanigan achieved a rare feat by averaging a double-double in college.

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The NBA Draft saw a lot of big-name forwards go down, but adding Zach Collins (10th pick) and Caleb Swanigan will really help the Trail Blazers down low.

Swanigan will be a great addition; to be honest, if puts in a good summer, he may be able to start for the Blazers once the season comes around. He shows potential with how much power he has down low. The forward bullies defenders with ease by way of his giant frame. He made it look so easy to just dunk or lay the ball in the hoop. Watching his game at Purdue is a fun experience for any Blazer fan to endure.

But, there is still a lot that Swanigan has to prove.

He comes in really heavy, meaning he will need to work with a strength and conditioning coach to get to a healthier weight. To be able to run with forwards and centers in the NBA, you gotta be in NBA shape; he did that well at the college level, I’ll give him that, but when it comes to the NBA, it is a whole different ballgame. Players are bigger, better and stronger than many he’s faced in two NCAA years.

Hopefully Caleb can produce and have an impact in the 2017-2018 season for the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers draft two forwards, and this puts the future of the front court in question.