3. Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
Like the Knicks, the New Orleans Pelicans are another team that needs a center after Jonas Valanciunas unexpectedly signed with the rebuilding Wizards in free agency. Currently, the Pelicans have Baylor rookie Yves Missi as their projected starting center, who many deemed a raw and developmental-type prospect entering the draft. That isn't good enough for a team with playoff aspirations in the competitive Western Conference.
New Orleans needs a center upgrade and could be interested in either Deandre Ayton or RW3. The Pelicans have multiple two-way wings that the Blazers should inquire about, such as Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. But their asking prices may be too steep. If that's the case, Jordan Hawkins is someone Portland should strongly consider targeting. Why not add another UConn player with an NCAA national championship on their resume?
Coming out of college, Hawkins was known as a sharpshooting guard, and that perception of him has stayed the same since he entered the league as the No. 14 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. But his NBA stock has decreased after a poor Summer League outing this offseason - Hawkins had 13 points a game but on an inefficient 28.5 field goal and 25 three-point percentage, to go along with only ten assists and 19 turnovers. Now might be the perfect time for the Blazers to take a low-risk flier on Hawkins, as they could likely acquire him for relatively cheap.