2024 Blazers Mock Draft 3.0: Projecting all 4 Rip City selections

No. 40 (via Hawks): Blazers select Dillon Jones, Forward, Weber State

The Trail Blazers desperately need more versatility on their roster, and Dillon Jones would be a great addition to help them in that regard. Jones is one of the most unique prospects in the entire draft. He has excellent playmaking and ballhandling for his size, at 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan.

This season at Weber State, Jones averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and two steals on 49/32/86 shooting splits. Jones didn't shoot the ball well from three-point range. However, his soft touch and free throw percentage suggest he could eventually become a league-average shooter.

Another question mark surrounding Jones is his defense. Because he's not the most athletic prospect, Jones could wind up being blown by on defense by NBA guards and wings that have a quick first step, although his long wingspan could help compensate for this to a certain extent. 

Despite being one of the older prospects in the draft at 22 years old, Jones could potentially make an immediate and significant impact for the Blazers with his unique combo forward skill set. Head coach Chauncey Billups could even utilize him as a small ball four, providing another dimension to the Blazers' lineup combinations.

It's also worth noting that the last time the Blazers took a Weber State prospect was Damian Lillard in 2012, and we all know how that turned out.