Belmont sharpshooter Dylan Windler is scheduled to work out for the Portland Trail Blazers. Let’s analyze the forward’s fit with the team moving forward.As the 2019 NBA Draft is slowly inching closer, the Portland Trail Blazers are continuing to look at prospects that could potentially provide next year’s roster a boost. Belmont’s Dylan Windler could be one of those players. After being primarily used as a shooter during his underclassmen years, he took a big step heading into his junior to become a deadly all around offensive threat. Windler followed that up with a spectacular senior season. While he did not take home the Player of the Year award in his Ohio Valley Conference due to the presence of one Ja Morant, Windler arguably had the last laugh with Belmont winning the conference.
The Blazers have long been looking for an offensively diverse wing. While creation is not his best skill, Windler has definitely shown the ability to consistently (and successfully) score on his own. Additionally, he is a great rebounder for his position and an underrated defender. He has the skill and experience to start as a role player, but as he adjusts to the NBA, he could turn into a starter if a few things go his way.
*Disclaimer*: I also wrote a draft profile of Windler similar to this for Warriors Wire, which can be found here.
Measures
Height: 6’8″
Wingspan: 6’11″
Weight: 200
Year: Senior
Age: 22.6
Stats
Points: 21.3
Rebounds: 10.8
Assists: 2.5
Steals: 1.4
Blocks: 0.6
Turnovers: 2.1
2FG: 65.9%
3PT: 42.9%
FT: 84.7%
Minutes: 33.2
Games played/started: 33/33
Fit
To most fans, Windler got on the NBA Draft radar by battling with Morant’s Murray State on two different occasions, as well as losing a nail biter to Maryland in the 2019 NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64. However, draft experts have had an eye on him since the beginning of the year. Anytime someone shoots almost 43% from three on more than seven attempts per game, they are bound to catch the eye of on NBA team. However, over the course of the season, Windler showed he is so much more than a shooter.
Strengths
Offensively, Windler is as complete as it gets.
"He is a very good shooter, whether it be off the catch, off the dribble or off movement, and has also shown the ability to score from all three levels. (Warriors Wire)"
Windler also showed the ability to make good reads in college, taking advantage of his high basketball IQ. While he may be overlooked on the defensive end, he is no slouch. He is an elite rebounder for his position, and he uses a blend of physical tools and feel for the game to provide solid individual and team defense.
Weaknesses
Windler has minute limitations to his game, but they are large factors in the eyes of most NBA scouts. There are questions on whether he will has NBA level quickness. While it should be solved defensively due to his ability to position himself well and play aggressively, his scoring opportunities might be limited in the pro level. The bigger concern for scouts is his age. Due to using all four years of his eligibility, his upside is not perceived to be as high as some of the top prospects in this draft. While this is most likely true, I believe his floor is extremely high, and he has a very good chance of having a long career in the NBA.
Obviously I don’t have any say in who the Blazers select in the draft, but if I were Neil Olshey, Dylan Windler would be at the top of my big board.