Portland Trail Blazers prospect one – Saddiq Bey
If the Blazers want to select a forward who is a little older and can defend at a high level right away, Saddiq Bey out of Villanova could be their guy.
He is already 21, and is six-foot-eight with a six-foot-ten wingspan. As the Blazers want to win right away, an older prospect who can add value instantly might suit better.
Bey has an impressive game on both ends of the ball and is mature in how he plays.
As a three and d wing, his main skills are as a man defender and off-ball shooter. In 67 games at Villanova, he shot 41.8 percent from three on decent volume of 306 attempts.
He already has basic stretch big forward skills, including a pull-up and some basic shooting off screens. He has some ability with the ball in his hands, making simple reads out of the post and in the pick and roll. Though he is just 215 pounds, he is strong, and his nice touch means he can play a bit out of the post. Though this part of the NBA is dying, I think the Blazers would like to have someone with great size and length to play make from different parts of the floor.
Defense is a massive part of Bey’s game. Though his counting stats don’t jump off the page, he was used on the perimeter a lot more at College. He is a versatile defender who can defend multiple positions, and excels both on and off the ball.
He isn’t a great athlete in terms of verticality, but he has sound positioning, and his length and speed mean he will probably be able to guard two through four in the NBA.
Bey is one of the best prospects available for the Blazers.