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2019 NBA Draft: Top 10 players on the Portland Trail Blazers’ big board

By Austin Carroll

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 6: Tennessee Volunteers forward Grant Williams (2) battles with Kentucky Wildcats forward PJ Washington (25) during a game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Tennessee Volunteers on January 6, 2018, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 6: Tennessee Volunteers forward Grant Williams (2) battles with Kentucky Wildcats forward PJ Washington (25) during a game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Tennessee Volunteers on January 6, 2018, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – JANUARY 22: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #4 of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks to pass against Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – JANUARY 22: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #4 of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks to pass against Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images) /

1. Cameron Johnson, SF from North Carolina

Cameron Johnson was one of the key components to North Carolina’s 29-7 season and Sweet 16 run. Johnson led the Tar Heels in points (16.9 per game) and steals (1.2 per game). Nailing an incredible 45.7 percent of his three-point shots, that mark was the best of any player in the ‘Power 6’ conferences, and the seventh best in the entire nation.

Johnson would slot in perfectly for the Portland Trail Blazers. As a unique five-year college player, he has enough experience to immediately make the starting lineup. His shooting ability will be invaluable for the Blazers, who will likely be losing Seth Curry and be forced to find cheap options to bolster the team’s severe lack of sharpshooters.

2. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, PG/SG from Virginia Tech

While unlikely to fall all the way to No. 25, Nickeil Alexander-Walker should absolutely be on the Blazers’ radar in the event he takes a draft day slip. Nickeil did a bit of everything at Virginia Tech, averaging 16.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Alexander-Walker also made the most of his 6-foot-9.5 wingspan by forcing 1.9 steals per game.

Alexander-Walker’s ability as a combo guard would be a big addition for the Portland Trail Blazers, allowing the team to stagger Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum’s minutes to keep one of the stars on the court. This pick would also help Anfernee Simons possibly reach his full potential, allowing the promising Simons to play comfortably on the offensive end while Alexander-Walker handles the defensive burden of the other team’s best guard.