How the Trail Blazers can emulate the Warriors’ championship formula

If the Blazers can find a player to fill Green’s role as The Swiss Army Knife, the next archetype they need to replicate is a knockdown, dead-eye threat from deep like Klay Thompson.

The problem the Blazers currently have is too many one-dimensional players. For example, Simons is great on offense but somewhat of a liability on defense. Alternatively, Matisse Thybulle is one of the best defenders in the NBA but doesn’t space the floor on offense.

They have more than enough shooting but lack a two-way shooter to space the floor while locking down defensively. It’s easier said than done, but addressing someone to fill the Thompson role in the draft would do wonders for Portland’s roster.

Possibilities to emulate Klay Thompson, The Shooter:

• Cameron Whitmore (draft)
• Jordan Hawkins (draft)
• Gradey Dick (draft)
• Jett Howard (draft)

There are a lot of great shooters available in this upcoming draft for the Blazers to target. Specifically, Cameron Whitmore or Jordan Hawkins would fit nicely as three-and-D-type players.

Whitmore, a freshman from Villanova, isn’t as consistent of a shooter as Hawkins is at this point in their careers. Whitmore is connecting on 34 percent of his 3-point attempts and shooting only 70 percent from the free-throw line.

However, he can potentially be an exceptional defender in the NBA. Like Thompson, Whitmore has a big frame for a perimeter player, listed at 6-foot-7. He’s also averaging 1.4 steals per game. Whitmore is only 18 years old and has time to improve his shooting; he has plenty of potential as a three-and-D player because of his size and defensive skills.

Hawkins, a sophomore out of Connecticut, is averaging 16 points on 41 percent field-goal shooting/39 percent 3-point shooting/89 percent free-throw shooting splits. He’s been a significant reason UConn has had so much success in March and should transition smoothly as a knockdown shooter in the NBA.

Hawkins would be a great addition for Portland.