7. Portland Trail Blazers choose Ron Holland
Between Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson, the Blazers have a prior history of selecting players who don’t necessarily have collegiate experience. It’s too early to tell on Henderson, but taking this route has worked well for the Blazers. They keep the G League Ignite streak alive in this mock draft, going with athletic forward Ron Holland.
Admittedly, Holland’s lack of shooting is a concerning fit. He only connected on 23.9 percent of his threes with the Ignite. Meanwhile, the Blazers finished last in the league in three-point accuracy. But Holland is still only 18 years old and has plenty of time to improve in that department.
He’s a 6-foot-8 forward with elite athleticism, which should make him a versatile defender in the NBA. Holland’s floor is an offensive slasher and exceptional defender. But if he can become even a league-average shooter, he possesses an intriguing two-way upside that few prospects have in this draft.
The Blazers don’t have a clear star on their roster. Henderson and Sharpe have shown promising flashes, but it’s too early to declare them stars. Because of this, the Blazers need to prioritize upside over fit to find a foundational star to build around fully.
Holland is a risk at pick No. 7 if his shot never pans out. However, he also has a legitimate chance of becoming the best player in the class, ultimately making him a top-ten selection.