New owner Tom Dundon isn’t immune to new owner syndrome, even if he also owns the hockey team that just won the Stanley Cup. Trades will be made, pieces will be moved, and the Trail Blazers roster has the chance to look dramatically different on opening night.
If the rumors are true, the Blazers are looking into asset consolidation; sending out a handful of players in exchange for just one. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown and others have been in Portland’s rumor mill as of late, and all of them will require multiple assets. Couple that with the uncertain futures of Robert Williams III, Matisse Thybulle, and Blake Wesley, and it sounds like there will be at least one roster spot opening.
That spot could belong to Caleb Love after his performance last season, but other openings are possible. The Blazers have no actual picks in this draft, so trawling the undrafted pool may be one of the only ways to find young talent this season.
Portland’s needs are clear, and to sum up, they are shooting, defense, and turnovers, in that order. Here are some guys who fit those priorities.
Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State
Portland’s entire team identity hinges upon three things: defense, pace, and shooting—three things that Nkrumah has in spades. Nkrumah finished second in the nation in steals and a plus in defensive metrics. At the combine, Nkrumah registered a plus-four wingspan and a truly dominant shuttle run, which further bolstered his case on the defensive end.
Consider Nkrumah a Matisse Thybulle replacement if it comes to that—he’s improved every year in school and is a defensive pest that could act as a game disruptor and shotmaker in limited minutes.
Mike Sharavjamts, South Carolina
Sharavjamts’s career thus far has been turbulent, to say the least. A four-star recruit out of high school, Sharavjamts bounced around to four different schools in as many years, acting as a glue guy in each program. The man’s primary position is point guard, and standing over 6’9” in shoes while playing that position makes the profile pop just a bit more.
Trying to find one’s footing in four separate programs that can’t quite decide what position to assign is a bit rough, but Sharavjamts has managed to improve every year, even if the numbers don’t pop. In the right situation with a consistent assignment, Sharavjamts could thrive.
Graham Ike, Gonzaga
While Ike spent a whopping six years in college, his game ultimately did the talking. Leading the WCC in field goal percentage and with a shocking +8 wingspan, Ike regularly bullied opponents within his own conference, but also hung 25 points on Texas in the NCAA tourney after having put 27 on one-seed Houston the year prior.
Ike’s massive frame gets wherever it wants in the paint and gobbles up rebounds, something the Blazers struggled with whenever Donovan Clingan sat. Ike is also expanding his game, shooting a not-terrible 34 percent on an elevated volume relative to last year. The telling stat is his free-throw percentage—Ike shot over 80% from the line over the last two seasons.
Corey Stephenson, Florida International
Much like Aaron Nkrumah, Stephenson has improved year over year, starting his career at Northeast Mississippi Community College and working his way up to FIU. One of his key traits—and his primary Blazers selling point—is shooting 40% from three on just under six attempts per game.
Stephenson isn’t a slouch on the defensive end. While he won’t be winning any awards for his defense, he has a 6’11” wingspan, quick hands and above-average lateral quickness. He’s also a good rebounder for a guard, with 6.4 in 31 minutes of play. The Blazers simply cannot turn away a player with those attributes.
The second round of the NBA Draft takes place on June 24, with free agent signings beginning immediately afterward.
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