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The Portland Trail Blazers select Monte Morris in the 2017 NBA Redraft

By Stevie Cozens

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Monte Morris #11 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on January 16, 2020 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Monte Morris #11 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center on January 16, 2020 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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In the 2017 NBA Redraft the Portland Trail Blazers select Monte Morris with the 20th pick. Morris is a perfect backup guard who can shoot and run the offense

FanSided along with Rip City Project redrafted the 2017 NBA Draft. The Portland Trail Blazers had the 15th, 20th and 26th picks.

With the 15th pick, Dillon Brooks was selected. With the 20th pick, we decided to select Monte Morris. Originally the Blazers traded these two picks for Zach Collins, but this redraft has the teams only taking their original selections.

When we selected Brooks we talked about size on the perimeter and shooting. In the six-foot-two Morris we wouldn’t be getting a lot of size but we would get the backup point guard that’s been lacking for a few years now.

Having to stagger Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum heavily in certain games limits their effectiveness together. Though CJ running the second unit in some capacity isn’t a bad thing, it would be great to maximise his minutes with Dame by having a legitimate backup point guard.

Not only can Morris run an NBA offense, he has one of the best assist to turnover ratios in the league. He almost never turns the ball over, ranking in the 100th percentile.

He is also a career 40 percent shooter from three and a 50 percent shooter from two. He can create his own shot and because of his six-foot-five wingspan and underrated strength, he is a really strong finisher at the rim too.

Morris is a good defender for a small guard, and he can defend the one and certain twos as well.

Morris is a small guard like Lillard and McCollum, but if he was paired with Gary Trent Jr in the second unit, he would form an excellent one – two punch.

One of the Blazers biggest needs, is having less of a drop-off when Dame is off the court. Having a point guard who can create for others while also being a shooting threat, could mean Dame may be able to rest more on the bench.

Shooting outside of Dame and CJ was a massive problem this season. After Rodney Hood went down, the only other competent shooter on the roster for a while was Carmelo Anthony.

Yes, Trevor Ariza and Trent came on later in the year, but it’s important to have spacing on the roster when you are running non shooting threats in Hassan Whiteside.

Next. CJ McCollum lists what historic team he’d most want to play for. dark

Morris is a great foil to Dame and CJ, he is still only 24 in his third NBA season. He has no significant injury issues and with only around 20 minutes a night on his current Denver Nuggets team, he can expand his game if he had a 24 – 28 minute role.

His age and potential matches up nicely with the other young core on this team.

This selection may impact the picks in future years that Neil Olshey makes, but Morris at 20 is a steal. Getting towards the middle / back of the first round and having competent shot creation and playmaking is excellent value.