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Portland Trail Blazers: Top draft priority for each Northwest Division team

By Austin Carroll

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Paul George #13 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 11, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – FEBRUARY 23: Washington Huskies guard Matisse Thybulle (4) reacts after the game a college basketball game between the Colorado Buffaloes against the Washington Huskies on February 23, 2019, at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – FEBRUARY 23: Washington Huskies guard Matisse Thybulle (4) reacts after the game a college basketball game between the Colorado Buffaloes against the Washington Huskies on February 23, 2019, at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
  • 2018-19 record: 53-29 (2nd in Northwest Division)
  • Draft picks: #25

Draft Priority: Address Defensive Woes

Yes, the Portland Trail Blazers also badly need to bolster their shooting. But at this late in the draft, there is a dearth of legitimate shot creators. Plenty of players can stand in the corner and wait for a pass to hit an open shot, but bringing something to the game that will make an immediate impact for a contending team is not something many non-lottery players are capable of doing.

Grabbing a lock down defender could immediately fill the void left by a departing Al-Farouq Aminu and allow the Blazers to spend their money elsewhere, like possibly retaining Rodney Hood or Enes Kanter.

A secondary priority for the Blazers would be buying out a second-round pick or two to draft any players that impressed them in private workouts. The Philadelphia 76ers are a prime candidate to call, considering they have four second-round draft picks and will likely not want to dip too far in the luxury tax after the expected and expensive pursuit of Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris.

Top Draft Target: Matisse Thybulle

If he stills on the board at No. 25, the Portland Trail Blazers cannot allow Matisse Thybulle to slip from their grasp. With the tools and experience to immediately step in and contribute, Thybulle can be tasked with guarding opposing team’s best players while Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum run the offense.

As the 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Thybulle and a healthy Jusuf Nurkic would make for great defensive anchors to balance out the team. For more on Thybulle’s defensive prowess and potential to become an elite ‘3-and-D’ wing, you can read here.

As an additional bonus that accompanies this pick, taking Thybulle still leaves the potential for a big trade to be made before the deadline that brings a dominant power forward to the Portland Trail Blazers.