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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 important decisions to make in the off-season

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after being called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after being called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft 2020, 2020 NBA Mock Draft, NBA Draft
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Decision three – what to do with the 16th pick in the Draft

This decision isn’t as straight forward as it may look. There are two directions here in my eyes.

One is whether they keep the pick and draft a young prospect, the other is if they use it in a trade to bring in a small forward. Small forward is the place of most need, Trevor Ariza is 35, and we still aren’t sure if we will even keep him.

I’m not sure they will keep the pick, but there aren’t many small forwards available in trade. So unless Neil Olshey can pull a rabbit out of the hat, then they will draft someone.

This draft isn’t overwhelmingly strong at the top, so having the 16th pick is a pretty good spot to be in. They could try and move up a few picks by using their second-round pick. Or they could just draft at 16 and look at a couple of small forward options.

Two guys in particular jump off the page when looking at small forwards – Aaron Nesmith and Saddiq Bey.

I think size and defensive ability are the most important thing’s when picking small forwards that fit well with the Blazers tiny backcourt. Nesmith is six-foot-six, meaning he is much closer to Gary Trent Jr.

I still like Nesmith’s game, but as a jump shooter, he is similar to Trent, who is likely to be a two / three combo for years to come for this team. If Nesmith is the best player available in Olshey’s eyes when pick 16 rolls around, they should draft him.

But, if they were drafting for fit and Bey was available, he may work better with this roster. He is six-foot-eight with a six-foot-ten wingspan, and coupling his defensive abilities with his size would mean that he could switch up to the four. He is a good shooter as well as having developing pass vision.

Olshey and co can’t waste another year without getting a small forward. If the Blazers can’t trade for one, they have to draft one.