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Troy Brown offers cheap alternative to Evan Turner in this year’s draft

By Nate Mann

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: Troy Brown #0 of the Oregon Ducks laughs after he was called for a foul during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Utah Utes at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks won 68-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: Troy Brown #0 of the Oregon Ducks laughs after he was called for a foul during a quarterfinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Utah Utes at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks won 68-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Blazers can stay local by drafting point-forward Troy Brown from the University of Oregon.

After one underwhelming season with the Oregon Ducks, Troy Brown declared for the NBA draft. He became Oregon’s first one-and-done ever and will likely be a first round pick, the university’s first since Aaron Brooks in 2007 (pick No. 26).

Brown was a five-star high school recruit and projected lottery pick early on in the season. Now, mock drafts have teams selecting him in the late-teens or early 20s.

The Portland Trail Blazers have one pick in this year’s draft. At No. 24, the Blazers could select Brown if he’s still available.

Three-point shooting

Although the Oregon Ducks’ offense lived outside the three-point line, Troy Brown generally avoided the shot. He attempted 110 threes in 35 games, connecting on 32 of them. This comes out to 29.1% shooting from outside, or 0.9/3.1 per game.

Zach Collins entered Blazers training camp having tried 21 three-pointers in 39 college games. He worked on the shot all season and finished with 35 made threes on 31% accuracy.

Related Story: Zach Collins improving his three-point shot

Brown may not have the shot in his arsenal yet, but Portland’s training staff can certainly help that. Also, he’s shown a knack for hitting midrange jumpers, making the transition to perimeter shots easier.

Position

Troy Brown plays a point-forward position. He often took the ball up the court instead of the team’s point guard, Payton Pritchard.

Like with Chandler Hutchison, Brown quickly turns defensive rebounds into offense. The Blazers, who ranked last in transition points per game, could use a lengthy wing capable of beating the defense down the floor off a missed shot.

Coming in at 6’7″ with a wingspan of 6’11”, Brown can also defend 1-4. He recorded 1.6 steals and only 2.2 fouls per game in college.

Evan Turner

Brown’s play style is similar to Evan Turner’s – both are midrange aficionados capable of ball handling and defending well.

While Turner gets tunnel-vision with his back to the basket, Brown uses the post to find open teammates. He averaged 3.2 assists per game for Oregon but did turn the ball over 2.5 times as well.

ET can help him play to his strengths: midrange and scoring through contact down low. Once Turner and his massive contract are gone, Troy Brown can fill the point-forward role for cheaper. Tack on an improved three-point shot and the Blazers have themselves a great draft pick.

Next: Best of Blazers: Napier leads way without Lillard

The Oregon Duck one-and-done will have a chance to show off his skills in this year’s NBA Draft Combine. If he impresses the scouts of teams with late-teens picks, he might be off the board before Portland’s selection.

If available, Brown could be a new and improved (not to mention cheaper) Evan Turner for the Blazers.