4 Prospects Blazers should already be scouting for 2024 NBA Draft

The Portland Trail Blazers are in rebuilding mode now that a Damian Lillard trade is seemingly inevitable. While they could still have a surprising 2023-24 NBA season, many fans are more excited about the Blazers’ future as they look to rebuild around Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons.

This article delves into four 2024 NBA Draft prospects that would complement those emerging stars well for Portland in terms of positional need and play style.

Blazers 2024 NBA Draft prospect No. 1: Aday Mara, center, UCLA (Spain)

At 7-foot-3 and 245 pounds, UCLA’s Aday Mara is a towering center with a unique skill set that sets him apart from other big men potentially entering the 2024 NBA Draft. Mara’s standout quality is his exceptional passing. His offensive skill set is reminiscent of Alperen Sengun or Pau Gasol with his ability to anticipate plays and read defenses.

As he continues refining his post-game, Mara will be a challenging offensive cover. Defenses won’t be able to help without him finding an open man. Mara’s passing will add another dimension to a team’s offense and is a skill set that will instantly translate to the NBA level.

Mara also has the potential to be a great two-way player in the NBA due to his size, rebounding and shot-altering ability. His exceptional basketball IQ also applies to the defensive side of the ball – Mara already has a good understanding of defensive positioning and timing, making him a formidable rim protector and help defender.

As of now, he’s projected to be a borderline top-five pick in the 2024 draft.

Mara’s potential fit with the Blazers

Mara’s skill set fits exceptionally well with the Blazers’ promising talent. From a positional standpoint, the center position is undoubtedly a need for Portland.

Jusuf Nurkic is a serviceable starting center, but he is also 29 and doesn’t fit with the Blazers’ new timeline. Outside of Nurkic, they also need more depth following the departures of Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford.

From a talent perspective, Mara’s unselfish play and passing ability also fit with Portland’s athletic guards and complement the team’s strengths. His ability to find Henderson and Sharpe on cuts would up new avenues for creative offensive sets.

One area Mara will need to improve to complement the Blazers’ roster perfectly is his ability to be a versatile defender. Blazers fans have gone through the Nurkic era of defense and deserve someone better equipped to be a modern-day center.

The evolving landscape of NBA centers is more of a positionless “unicorn” style of basketball – particularly in the Western Conference, with players including Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Sengun. These centers are all on teams in a rebuilding process similar to the Blazers’, meaning they could be Western Conference contenders on the same future timeline.

Portland must have a unique big to compete with the other up-and-coming Western Conference teams. Mara could be the missing piece.

Blazers 2024 NBA Draft prospect No. 2: Aaron Bradshaw, center, Kentucky

Kentucky commit Aaron Bradshaw is a top-ranked high school recruit who unfortunately suffered a foot injury, leaving a murky start date for his collegiate career. At 7-feet with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Bradshaw presents an intriguing combination of physical attributes and skills that make him a likely lottery pick in 2024.

One of Bradshaw’s standout attributes is his athleticism. Offensively, he should immediately contribute to the NBA as a dynamic rim-runner. His frame, speed and agility present mismatch nightmares that should lead to high-percentage scoring opportunities.

What is most intriguing for Bradshaw as an NBA prospect is his defensive potential due to his mentioned length and athleticism. He’s drawn comparisons to Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton, a strong contender for an All-NBA Defensive team selection last season.

This likeness suggests that Bradshaw’s playing style aligns well with the modern demands of the game, where centers are expected to contribute not only in traditional post play but also as agile defenders.

Bradshaw’s potential fit with the Blazers

Bradshaw’s skill set would address a significant void in Portland’s current roster composition..

His exceptional length, athleticism and versatility would be a much-needed change as the Blazers look to rebuild around their youth and the modern style of the NBA. Whether they ultimately keep Nurkic or not, Bradshaw would be an excellent addition. He could start his career as a change of pace behind Nurkic to give Portland another look defensively, hoping to progress into the starting role as a Claxton type of player.

While he’s likely not going to be a go-to scorer, the Blazers already have enough scoring potential from their guards. Bradshaw could be an excellent complementary piece as a modern-day center and a key figure in the Blazers’ pursuit of a more versatile roster configuration.

Blazers 2024 NBA Draft prospect No. 3: Stephon Castle, forward, Connecticut

Stephon Castle is a dynamic 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard/forward committed to UConn. He’s one of the best athletes in the class with exceptional two-way potential. Given his size and athleticism, Castle has a ton of defensive versatility, enabling him to guard multiple positions effectively.

Offensively, Castle is an excellent ball handler and playmaker for his size. He does well with the ball in his hands in pick-and-roll situations. If he doesn’t have the ball, Castle is most effective offensively as a slasher or rim runner who utilizes his size, athleticism and finishing ability.

One notable area of improvement Castle should target is his shooting consistency. Like many forwards coming into the league, Castle’s success will heavily depend on how well he can space the floor.

While he can certainly contribute as an impactful defender, playmaker and slasher, Castle’s NBA ceiling will be limited if he can’t improve his shot. Luckily, he’s still only 18 years old and has plenty of time.

Castle is currently projected to be a top-10 selection in 2024.

Castle’s potential fit with the Blazers

Despite his size, Castle possesses the ball-handling finesse and court vision typically associated with guards.

However, Castle’s skill set could present a strategic advantage and help the Blazers double down on their strengths. His size, adept ball-handling, athleticism and playmaking ability make him an ideal candidate for transition play and initiating offense in pick-and-roll scenarios.

This potential role aligns with the Blazers’ style of play that should thrive on fast breaks and quick decision making. Castle could elevate the team’s offensive efficiency and create a new dimension within their gameplay for head coach Chauncey Billups.

Castle’s ability to switch defensively and guard multiple positions could mitigate a weakness in the team’s lineup and contribute to a more well-rounded defensive strategy. Outside Matisse Thybulle, the Blazers are hurting for two-way players and forwards. Castle could help fill both needs while helping the Blazers develop a new team identity as a fast-paced squad with multiple players capable of either handling the ball in transition or initiating half-court offensive sets.

Blazers 2024 NBA Draft prospect No. 4: Mackenzie Mgbako, forward, Indiana (Nigeria)

Mackenzie Mgbako is a talented forward who was initially committed to Duke but ultimately decided to take his talents to Indiana. At 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds, Mgbako has the size and skill set that makes him an intriguing future NBA prospect.

While he doesn’t possess the flashy athleticism that many top draft prospects have, Mgbako’s strengths lie in his basketball skill set and feel for the game that impacts winning at a high level.  Mgbako’s positional size gives him excellent potential as a two-way player and a versatile modern-day forward.

Offensively, Mgbako’s standout skill is his exceptional shooting touch. That, combined with his size, gives him the potential to be a potent floor spacer in the NBA. However, Mgbako transcends the label of a three-and-D player. His well-developed ball handling ability allows him to drive to the rim and pushes him into top-10 pick consideration in the 2024 draft.

This versatility compensates for any limitations in his athleticism and enables him to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Another dimension to Mgbako’s game is his passing aptitude. His court vision and decision making make him valuable in team-oriented offensive systems. This quality bodes well for his transition to the NBA, where his all-around abilities should seamlessly integrate into various team strategies.

Mgbako’s potential fit with the Blazers

Mgbako’s fit with the Blazers would a seamless transition, with several key factors indicating that he could be a suitable replacement for Jerami Grant. Grant recently signed a massive five-year, $160 million contract, which was one of the Blazers’ worst offseason moves. However, there are reasons to consider why Grant may not be part of the Blazers’ long-term outlook.

For one, the deal was technically agreed upon before the news broke that Lillard wanted out of Portland. Grant very well could have just been a signing in an attempt to try and convince Lillard to stay.

Additionally, now that Lillard is seemingly out of the Blazers’ plans, Grant, age 29, doesn’t fit into the team’s new timeline. As the Blazers position themselves for a potential rebuild following an anticipated Lillard trade, it becomes essential to prioritize younger talents who can grow alongside the emerging core – this is where Mgbako’s potential comes into play as a promising alternative.

Mgbako would offer a cost-effective solution and bring youthful energy to the roster. His skill set is strikingly reminiscent of Grant’s, making him a natural successor. The parallels are evident in various aspects: both players excel at spacing the floor, possess length on both ends of the court and can create their own scoring opportunities.

Regardless of the path the Blazers decide to take with Grant, Mgbako’s integration into the team’s emerging core makes a ton of sense. The Blazers need more depth in the forward positions, and Mgbako could fill this gap nicely. His presence alongside rising talents like Henderson, Sharpe and Simons would provide a well-balanced and dynamic lineup.

Mgbako’s cost-effectiveness, youthfulness and similarity to Grant make him a compelling 2024 NBA Draft candidate who could bolster the Blazers’ roster and contribute significantly to their rebuild.