1 Prospect for every possible Portland Trail Blazers NBA Draft position

The pick at No. 6: Ausar Thompson, Overtime Elite

In most draft circles, the Thompson twins have become a barometer of how scouts look at NBA prospects. To some, the bountiful athleticism and freaky passing angles make them can’t-miss players.

To others, the lack of shooting mechanics and finishing tools make them high-risk, high-reward players unworthy of a high lottery selection.

The Blazers need a wing player who can defend in a switching scheme, utilize his athletic gifts to create advantages on both ends, and become a secondary creator and shooter on the perimeter.

Ausar Thompson fills almost every criteria, only missing the shooting – but he did shoot 38.5 percent from deep in the Overtime Elite playoffs:

The fit for Thompson would be easy: He’s more of a natural forward than his brother Amen, and the Blazers desperately need a small forward who can play well on both ends of the floor. Thompson would have the time needed to develop while also getting immediate experience on a contending playoff team.

Next to Lillard, Thompson’s potential shooting improvements would quickly be put to the test, as he’d have his share of open shots on the wings and in the corners. If he does become a shooter, that raises his star ceiling and turns the Blazers into contenders in the next few seasons.