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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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Luguentz Dort Arizona State (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Luguentz Dort Arizona State (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

9. Dylan Windler, SF from Belmont

What do championship teams need in the modern NBA? Three-point shooting. What does Dylan Windler do just as well as about anyone? Three-point shooting. As a late first-round pick, Windler is one of those players you know will never become a superstar but will always have a role to play in the league. At Belmont, over half of Windler’s shots came from behind the arc and he hit them at an impressive rate of 42.9 percent.

Shooting will always come at a premium price tag in the NBA. After all, in a league of over 400 players, only 22 of them who consistently hit 40 percent or more of their three-point shots last year. With a projected NBA three-point shooting percentage of 39.5 percent, Windler is right on the cusp of joining that elite group.

10. Luguentz Dort, SG from Arizona State

Picture this: Canadian basketball prodigy that despite being a lethal scoring presence, struggled shooting from three and getting his teammates involved – thus hurting his draft stock. Who comes to mind? R.J. Barrett? Close, instead try imagining his hulked-out little brother.

Like Barrett, Luguentz Dort had his fair share of ups and downs playing with the Sun Devils. Paired with his incredible athleticism and muscular build, it would be hard to ignore the natural talent that clearly oozes from his game. Dort averaged 16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game at Arizona State, giving a broad idea of he seems to be everywhere on the court. Given a few adjustments to his game and a developing basketball IQ, Dort could quickly become one of the biggest steals of this draft.

dark. Next. Ranking the best No. 25 picks of all-time

With so many interesting options on the board, it’s very unlikely the Portland Trail Blazers walk away from the 2019 NBA Draft without a player they feel can be a big contributor in the future.