3 Prospects Blazers should already be scouting for 2025 NBA Draft

3. Asa Newell, PF, Georgia

The Blazers have most of their future starting lineup locked into place between Scoot Henderson, Sharpe, Avdija, and Clingan. The one position that remains the most significant question mark is power forward. Jerami Grant is the only Blazers player 30 years or older and doesn't fit into their rebuilding plans. He could also be moved to a contending team before the 2025 trade deadline.

Asa Newell could be the ideal prospect for the Blazers in terms of positional fit. Still, as previously mentioned, Portland should prioritize the best available prospects at this stage in their rebuild and figure out the rest later. They should do their due diligence on Newell to ensure he's also one of the top prospects on their board, regardless of position.

At 6-foot-9, Newell has the length and athleticism to be a versatile forward at the NBA level. He is also only 18 years old and can benefit from a collegiate season to build his frame and improve his physicality.

The Blazers will have to closely monitor how Newell fares as a shooter this season at Georgia. If he can't consistently stretch the floor, he could risk being an NBA tweener. Relying on your athleticism and paint presence at the NBA level is much more challenging. But there's an upside with Newell as a versatile forward that should make him a lottery pick in next year's draft.