Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman released his latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft. The way the draft plays out, the Portland Trail Blazers have several intriguing options still on the board at pick No. 11, including Collin Murray-Boyles, Derik Queen, and Egor Demin -- three of our five favorite realistic targets for the Blazers.
We have faith that Blazers assistant GM Mike Schmitz (a former ESPN draft analyst) will make the right decision, even if it isn't one of our preferred prospects. But one of the only players we adamantly want them to avoid is the one they select in Wasserman's mock: Georgia big man Asa Newell.
Asa Newell's tweener status makes him a questionable pick at No. 11
Wasserman highlights Newell's "coveted archetype and higher level of upside" as the only NCAA player who recorded at least 50 dunks and 25 threes. However, Newell's most significant strength could also turn out to be his biggest weakness at the next level, as that coveted versatility makes him a tweener with no clear path to returning top-11 value.
You see the 50 dunks. We see a 6-foot-9 big man who is overly reliant on scoring in the paint, which will be much more difficult going up against NBA centers. You see the 25 threes. We see someone who shot 29.2 percent from deep and 74.8 percent from the charity stripe -- not necessarily inspiring stats for someone who would have to carve out a role alongside Donovan Clingan to receive significant minutes.
Admittedly, there are some reasons for considering Newell. Despite rostering four centers, the Blazers do need a long-term backup big, as Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, and Duop Reath's contracts all expire after next season. The Blazers play at a fast pace and love transition, and Newell's athleticism as a rim-running big would help give Portland another dimension to spell Clingan for stretches.
However, with their future starting lineup of Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Clingan coming into shape, Portland has the luxury of taking the best available prospect at No. 11. And from that standpoint, Newell wouldn't be the right choice.
It's hard to envision him as more than a high-motor role player who provides rebounding, rim running, and energy off the bench. That's still worthy of a first-round pick, but his tweener status, questionable decision-making, and limited upside make him a high-risk, low-reward bet that Portland shouldn't be taking. They'd be better off looking elsewhere at No. 11.