Jacob Evans is one of the few players Portland talked to at the draft combine that can fill the team’s need for a 3-and-D forward.
The Portland Trail Blazers need to draft a wing in the 2018 NBA Draft, preferably one who plays solid defense and can hit three-pointers. However, they primarily spoke to combo guards at the combine despite having a reliable backcourt.
Keep in mind this is by no means a complete list. Just players we were able to confirm. But amount of PG/SG Is notable. https://t.co/hVGjFxnl20
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) May 18, 2018
The Blazers reportedly only expressed interest in three forwards: Chandler Hutchison, Troy Brown and Jacob Evans.
Hutchison dropped the combine and likely has a promise from another team in the 20s. Brown and Evans, on the other hand, should have a workout scheduled soon.
We already analyzed Brown’s brief college career, so let’s look at Evans.
Jacob Evans
Jacob Evans is a 6’6″ SG/SF who played three years at Cincinnati. In his final college season, Evans averaged 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 30.8 minutes per game. He shot 43% from the field, 37% from three and 75% from three.
Led in points per game by Evans, Cincinnati went 31-5 and earned a two seed in the March Madness tournament. They blew a 12-point lead in the second round to seventh-seeded Nevada, a game in which Evans scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Offense
Evans thrives in transition, which is good news for Portland. The Blazers ranked last in transition points in 2017-2018 and could use a forward capable of pushing the offense off a defensive rebound. (Al-Farouq Aminu tries it, but he doesn’t have the ball handling skills.)
He didn’t shoot great percentages last year with Cincinnati, knocking down 43% of field goals and 37% of threes. However, Evans takes advantage of open three-pointers. With Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum‘s penetration skills, he’d see a lot of those uncontested looks.
Using his size, Evans often posts up smaller guards as well. His turnaround jumper from the post is a unique skillset the Blazers lack.
The Cincinnati junior scores most of his points near the basket, though. He already converted a lower percentage of close attempts in college, so against NBA defenses that number could drop further.
Defense
In all three seasons with Cincinnati, Evans averaged at least 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. In his most recent campaign, he recorded 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks.
At 6’6″, he can support Lillard and McCollum defensively against opposing guards. Evans can also switch onto forwards and still hold his own.
NBA Scouting Live listed his defensive pro as “Good shot blocker for a player his size.”
Next: Blazers looking at Khyri Thomas at No. 24
Unlike many of the other prospects Portland talked to at the combine, Jacob Evans can benefit the team without any players leaving in free agency. His versatile scoring and lengthy defense provide the Blazers with a much-needed 3-and-D wing.