The Portland Trail Blazers are only 10 days away from the NBA Draft. Which five Lottery-level prospects could drop to them at the 16th pick?
The 2020 NBA Draft is one of the most interesting drafts in recent years. Without a consensus number one pick, and no real clear cut top ten, this draft could have several players falling to the Portland Trail Blazers, anywhere from the top five through to the 20th pick.
The Blazers would love to add frontcourt depth, and with no set order outside of some consistency with teams rating of the top two picks, they could have someone fall right into their laps.
The Blazers could use a young prospect at either the three, four, or five. The three or four is at the top of the list of importance, but they need a backup big, be it in the draft or free agency.
Which lottery players could drop to the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Draft
Portland Trail Blazers lottery-level prospect one – Isaac Okoro
Isaac Okoro of the Auburn Tigers is a six-foot-six small forward who is one of the best defenders in the 2020 NBA Draft class. Okoro is a 19-year-old, one and done prospect with an impressive six-foot-nine wingspan and a muscular 225-pound frame.
He has been mocked as high as nine on some boards, then out of the lottery on some others.
His offensive game has had mixed reviews because of his developing shooting, but where his peers may shoot better than him, Okoro can play make for others while also being a strong finisher at the rim.
If his shooting was to come on, he could potentially be a starter on a good team. His 67.4 percent free-throw shooting shows he has a way to go, but a rejig of his mechanics may help when he comes into the NBA.
As a defender, he has a great IQ and can switch up or down depending on the matchup. He can hustle off the ball and is as strong as a team defender as he is individually.
Okoro has a strong package at the rim, but his offensive game’s growth relies heavily on the development of his jumper.
I consider Okoro to be a mid lottery talent; if he fell to the Blazers at 16, I would pick him without hesitation.