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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 23: USC guard Kevin Porter Jr. #4 (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 23: USC guard Kevin Porter Jr. #4 (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Kevin Porter Jr, SG from USC

Although Kevin Porter Jr was extremely limited in his opportunities to impress due to being relegated to the bench for the majority of the season, his NBA heritage would be hard to escape regardless. In just 22 minutes per game Porter would average 9.5 points, 4 rebounds and 0.8 steals while shooting 41.2 percent from deep.

This demonstrates Porter is learning to play within the flow of the game while still being efficient and developing the defensive upside he brings at the guard position. With Curry and Rodney Hood flight risks this summer, the Blazers will need versatile players who can step up in big moments and help complement the skill sets of Portland’s core.

4. Matisse Thybulle, SF from Washington

If the Portland Trail Blazers don’t get lucky and have one of the talented guards from above slip down the draft, maybe the best plan of action would be to switch gears and grab an upgrade at the wing. The four-year Washington product Matisse Thybulle could be the answer to Portland’s defensive woes. Thybulle averaged an incredible 3.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game en route to winning the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

Thybulle’s ability to read passing lanes and position himself in the correct spot to swat incoming shots could be huge for the Blazers. With Jusuf Nurkic recovering from injury and Al-Farouq Aminu set to hit free agency there could soon be an enormous void in Portland’s defense. Selecting Thybulle to cover for the liability that is Lillard and McCollum on defense makes a lot of sense. Thybulle’s 85.1 percent free throw shooting also gives hope that he can one day become a legitimate ‘3-and-D’ wing player.