The Portland Trail Blazers have four picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, including two in the lottery. With a draft class that projects to be the weakest since 2013, there is so much more uncertainty surrounding each prospect. Still, this particular bunch stands out as players the Blazers should avoid, taking into account factors such as positional fit, upside, and projected draft range.
1. Isaiah Collier, Guard, USC
Before his relatively disappointing season as a Freshman at USC, point guard Isaiah Collier was widely viewed as the No. 1 point guard in the class. Collier had some growing pains at the collegiate level, averaging 16.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on 49/34/67 shooting splits. He struggled with his shot consistency and turnovers (3.3 per game). Collier is still an intriguing draft prospect. His 6-foot-5 frame and ability to get into the paint and draw fouls with his downhill attacking style of play should translate well to the NBA.
However, his strengths and weaknesses are too similar to those of the Blazers' No. 3 overall pick last year, Scoot Henderson. Portland already has an excess amount of guards and desperately needs help spacing the floor. Although Collier shows promise, he doesn't make sense for Rip City, given his overlapping skill set.