7 Things Trail Blazers can take away from 2023 NBA Finals

Blazers takeaway No. 4: Finding value late in drafts (and post-draft)

Nuggets rookie Christian Braun was Game 3’s X-factor, putting up 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal on an efficient 87.5 percent shooting from the field in only 19 minutes. He is starting to look like a draft-day gem, as he was selected 21st overall out of Kansas; this is just the latest example of both the Nuggets and Heat finding hidden gems, either through the draft or, for Miami in particular, through undrafted free agency.

Both teams have excellent scouting and developmental departments. The Nuggets drafted Jokic 41st overall in the 2014 draft, among other great earlier picks such as Jamal Murray (seventh overall in 2016) and Michael Porter Jr. (14th overall in 2018).

Meanwhile, Miami has found success in undrafted free agents, which is highly unusual in the NBA, at least to this extent. Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, and Haywood Highsmith are all undrafted players that played a role in this year’s playoffs.

While Miami’s players all deserve their respective credit, it’s also fair to wonder whether they’d have the same success in a different organization. Something has to be said about the Heat’s culture and player development, which Portland should also try to emulate.

The Blazers have picks Nos. 3, 23 (from Knicks), and 43 (from Hawks) in the upcoming NBA draft; this looks like a potentially deep draft, and it’s imperative for them to hit on these picks.

Portland must use these picks to address its positional needs and weaknesses.