Blazers mock draft roundup: ‘Disruptive defender’ at pick No. 23?

Bleacher Report: Maxwell Lewis, Pepperdine, Forward

Lewis is a 6-7 forward from Pepperdine. In his sophomore season, Lewis averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game on 47/35/79 shooting splits.

Here’s what Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman had to say regarding Lewis: “Scouts have been trying to weigh Lewis’ NBA physical profile, three-level shot-making and enticing creation flashes versus Pepperdine’s 9-22 record and the sophomore’s inconsistent defense against lower-level competition. He should ultimately look enticing in a workout setting with the body of a wing and the shooting versatility to hit different types of jumpers from all over. ”

Lewis has a similar skill set to Cam Reddish, a restricted free agent that could cost around $8 million a year to retain. As a result, one option here would be to let Reddish walk and draft his cheaper replacement in Lewis.

Lewis’ length and scoring ability are certainly intriguing, but what Wasserman mentioned regarding his inconsistent defense is concerning. Portland needs help defensively and should be convinced about his potential as a two-way wing if they decide to go this route.