Portland Trail Blazers: 2022 NBA Draft Big Board – Top 3

Portland Trail Blazers 2022 NBA Draft Big Board #3: Paolo Banchero

Paolo Banchero has looked like a man amongst boys all season and has extended his dominance throughout March Madness.

On the season, he’s averaged 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds while slashing 48/33/73. He’s elevated his game in the tourney, averaging 19.3 points while shooting 55 percent from the field and 53 from deep through three games.

He’s in the 99th percentile as an athlete but has the advanced skills to complement his natural gifts. Banchero has a tight handle for his size, a variety of finishing moves, great vision, and a decent jumper to make life easier for himself and his teammates.

His playmaking at his size really sets him apart from the competition. It’s not quite Ben Simmons-level, but his ability to get downhill and find the open man will keep defenses second-guessing about bringing help on his drives.

At 6’9, 250-lbs with a seven-foot wingspan, he’ll be ready to bang with professionals from day one.

With his size and athleticism, he figures to be an impactful defender in the NBA, but his effort has been inconsistent at best with the Duke Blue Devils. He’s also the least reliable shooter out of the consensus top-three prospects.

There’s a little worry that Banchero’s supreme athletic edge over his collegiate competition is a reason for his dominance. While he won’t be head-and-shoulders above other NBA pros in terms of physical prowess, he’ll still be a top-tier specimen at the next level.

If he can hit threes at even a league-average rate in the NBA and prove that his defensive effort will improve, he has an viable chance to be the best player to come out of this draft.

His questionable fit next to Jusuf Nurkic is the main reason Banchero trails Smith Jr. and Holmgren for me, but his potential as a defensive weapon, secondary playmaker, and interior finisher would still make him a fantastic piece.

The Portland Trail Blazers should be ecstatic if they’re able to add any of the top three prospects this summer.

NBA Comp: Bigger Pascal Siakam, Ben Simmons-lite with a bag