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NBA Draft: Rip City Project gives thoughts on Blazer picks

By Isaiah De los Santos

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Zach Collins (Gonzaga) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number ten overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Zach Collins (Gonzaga) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number ten overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Rip City Project crew, much like Blazers fans, have varying reactions to the NBA Draft and who Portland selected.

The Trail Blazers took Zach Collins (10th overall) and Caleb Swanigan (26th overall) in the NBA Draft. Reaction from Blazers fans seems split, and much is the same here at RCP:

Ty Delbridge, contributor

I thought the Trail Blazers had a great NBA draft night. I was hoping for a couple salary-dump trades but I trust that Neil Olshey will make some smart moves before next season. 

They weren’t going to use all 3 picks so trading two picks to move into the 10 spot was smart. Zach Collins is an excellent pickup; he’s the best center in the draft and was not going to be available at 15. He’s only 19, skilled on offense, a good defender and shot blocker. Collins can space the floor with his shooting. He adds value and fills a need for the Blazers at the four or five spot.

I thought drafting Caleb Swanigan at 26 was an interesting move. They now have seven big men (including Ezeli) on the roster and I thought they could have drafted a wing at 26. But after watching hours of film on Swanigan, I love the pick and think he will be the biggest steal of the draft. He is the best rebounder in the draft, a great passer and can shoot the three. He has a high basketball IQ, seems like a great kid and is a beast on the floor.

Draft Grade: A

Joe Chambers, contributor

Zach Collins poses a lot of possible potential, but he never started a game for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The center showed promise in moderate minutes, never wasting an opportunity when he stepped on to the court; he played well in the Final Four, recording numerous blocks in the semifinal game against South Carolina.

Caleb Swanigan comes in with a weight problem but poses as a good post-scorer and defender. Being able to back down opponents with ease was a huge success for him at Purdue. But he will need to be able to run the floor against NBA bigs since they’ll put up tougher competition in the post than he faced in college.

Draft Grade: B

Jacob Swanson, contributor

Trading up was the right idea, but the Blazers missed a great opportunity to cash in on assets.

I think Collins could be a good player, but with three first round picks, the Blazers could have gone all in — either to move higher into the lottery or go for a player like Porzingis. The Blazers are not in a position to be playing it safe in the draft. I would have liked to see Portland swing for the fences. This was a safe, if not underwhelming, draft.

Draft Grade: B-

Isaiah De los Santos, site expert

If you watched the RCP Twitter feed last night, you’d know my thoughts on the Collins pick.

I just don’t see the fit with Portland. For a team with Jusuf Nurkić at center, I figured the Blazers would get someone hyper-athletic or confident with their shot to compliment the Bosnian Beast’s style of play. Collins really isn’t either of those.

It’s realistic to expect a top 10 pick to start — even if it’s not right away, start some point down the line. But if Nurk is the starting center for the future, and Collins’ skill set isn’t complimentary to him, how on earth do those two coexist on the floor together?

Next: Blazer picks invite trades in the front court

The center’s 1.8 blocks per game are impressive, so there’s hope. This Blazers team is in desperate need of any rim protection they can get. He will look to man the second team most likely, and hopefully he can figure out what his NBA calling card will be.

Swanigan is nice, but I don’t see him lasting long in the league due to his underwhelming frame.

I thought the NBA Draft picks would be someone who screams potential, or someone who was proven. In my opinion, Portland got neither.

Draft Grade: D- (if F+ was a real thing, that’s what I’d give them)