With the college basketball regular season in the books let’s take a look at who some draft analysts believe the Portland Trail Blazers will select in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The NBA Draft is drawing closer and closer as the college basketball regular season came to close this weekend. With that, it’s becoming more clear as to who the Portland Trail Blazers may select with their first-round draft selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Portland’s needs for the draft are also becoming more evident as they hope to stay a force in the western conference for years to come.
Let’s take a look at what some of the latest draft analysts are projecting the Blazers to do with their 2019 selection.
CBS Sports: Tre Jones, PG, Duke
Tre Jones has been a name linked to the Blazers in multiple mock drafts.
Garry Parrish who made the latest Jones to the Blazers prediction of CBS Sports had this to say about the prospect:
"“Jones is, by a significant margin, the least-celebrated freshman in Duke’s starting lineup. But talk to the coaching staff and they’ll tell you the 6-2 point guard is just as important to the Blue Devils’ success as pretty much anybody else. His feel for the game is unusual for a first-year college player. His instincts are excellent. The way he pressures the ball defensively, every second of every game, is the reason Duke’s defensive-efficiency rating ranks in the top 10 nationally. There are better athletes at the position, absolutely —and way better shooters. But the other stuff Jones provides is so valuable somebody will grab him in the first round.”"
By drafting Jones, Portland would add a defensive minded guard to come off the bench behind Damien Lillard and help create turnovers for a Blazers team who could use more of those.
Basketball Insiders: Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland
Power forward is undoubtedly a need for the Blazers this off-season due to inconsistent play at the position.
According to Basketball Insiders, Jalen Smith may be Portland’s solution to solidify the position.
The 6’10’ power-forward is averaging 11.5 points per game and 6.7 rebounds in his freshman season.
Smith would bring much-needed size to the Portland front-court.
SB Nation: Nickeil-Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech
Nickeil-Alexander-Walker out of Virginia Tech is another defensive minded guard that the Blazers could use to create turnovers off the bench.
Unlike Jones, Alexander-Walker is more of a two guard at 6’6″. Here’s what Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation had to say about him:
"Alexander-Walker is a 6’6 guard who has scored efficiently and racked up steals for an upstart Virginia Tech team as a sophomore. He’s put together an impressive three-point shooting season (38 percent) for the second straight year while improving his defense. What he lacks in elite athleticism and true point guard skills he can make up for with versatility and touch."
A three-point shooter and solid defender? Sounds like a potentially perfect fit for the Blazers.