Portland Trail Blazers: 2022 NBA Draft Big Board – Top 10

Portland Trail Blazers 2022 NBA Draft Big Board: 5-7

5. Jaden Ivey

With Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons already on the roster, Portland really has no need for Jaden Ivey.

The prospect of building perhaps the scariest three-headed guard rotation in the league is an enticing thought, but it’s not a great use of the pick in terms of winning in Dame’s prime. Instead, if Portland has the chance to grab Ivey and all of their top-four targets are off the board, they should acquire him as an asset.

If Cronin doesn’t land a trade that he likes on draft night, they can have Ivey build his stock off of the bench until they find a deal to fill a position of need.

NBA Comp: Donovan Mitchell

6. Keegan Murray

With Holmgren, Smith Jr., Banchero, Griffin, and Ivey off of the board, the talent level takes a significant dip. Still, there’s plenty of value to be found in the mid-lottery.

Keegan Murray should lead the way for the Trail Blazers in this next group of prospects for his blend of basketball IQ, size, athleticism, and advanced skills.

While Murray’s not likely to become a franchise cornerstone, he could certainly become one of the most impactful role players in the league and would form a reliable, two-way frontcourt with Jusuf Nurkic. Portland will know what they’ll be getting in the Iowa Hawkeye star, more so than with the next bunch of prospects.

NBA Comp: Thaddeus Young

7. Jalen Duren

I would personally have Jalen Duren ranked higher than Keegan Murray, if it weren’t for the fact that Jusuf Nurkic will more than likely be the Trail Blazers’ starting center next year.

Duren’s combination of freakish athleticism and defensive positioning should make him a standout shot blocker from the jump. He already has an NBA-ready body and won’t turn 19 until November.

Duren would provide the Portland Trail Blazers with their best rim protector and lob threat since Hassan Whiteside, except he’s far more equipped to guard along the perimeter on switches and will play far smarter defense. While he might never be more than a traditional run-and-jump center, he could impact the game at the highest level in his role by upgrading the defense, stretching the floor with his verticality, and opening up offense through solid screens.

He also has some untapped perimeter skills that could turn him into a superstar one day.

NBA Comp: Robert Williams III, Dwight Howard