Portland Trail Blazers: 3 steals in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft

The Portland Trail Blazers are likely to try and move into the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft.

With GM Neil Olshey having a strong record in the second round of the draft, and the price of acquiring a second-round pick not that steep, there’s a big chance that Olshey buys a pick on the night with cash, or trades one of their future seconds to do it.

Here are 3 2nd round steals for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2021 NBA Draft

Auburn forward JT Thor (10) is defended in the lane by Alabama guard John Petty Jr. (23) and Alabama forward Herb Jones (1) Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Coleman Coliseum. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]

Portland Trail Blazers second-round steal #1 – JT Thor

JT Thor is a six-foot-ten forward, out of Auburn, who is projected in the 25 – 40 range in the Draft.

Playing in the SEC, Thor was an aggressive defender who hit the glass hard and was a tough rim runner. With a big seven-foot-three wingspan and great foot speed, Thor’s main strength is without a doubt his defense.

Though he is six-foot-ten, he doesn’t have the body yet to be a full-time five. Recorded at 205 pounds in the last college season, he will need to pack muscle onto his frame to be impactful around the basket on both ends.

But, with the Blazers defensive issues, someone like Thor could be an appealing prospect.

He has shown the ability to guard multiple positions, while also knocking down catch and shoot jumpers. If the Blazers wanted a hyper-athletic four-man who could potentially small ball five if he muscled up, Thor could be their man. He is a long-term prospect but could be worth investing a million per season in the second round.