Blazers mock draft roundup: Rip City addresses shooting need at pick No. 14
By Reese Kunz
The Portland Trail Blazers have lottery picks No. 7 and No. 14 in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. In the previous mock draft roundup for pick No. 7, the Blazers prioritized defense. With their second lottery pick, most mock drafts have the Blazers addressing their most significant offseason need - shooting. The Blazers finished the 2023-24 season dead last in three-point efficiency at 34.5 percent. They were more than four percentage points away from the number one team, the Boston Celtics.
Portland's top three players this season in both three-point percentage and threes made were Malcolm Brogdon, Jerami Grant, and Anfernee Simons. One of either Brogdon or Grant will likely be gone this offseason, but all three players have been involved in trade rumors lately. The Blazers need to make finding a reliable shooter a top priority in the draft, and these mocked players mentioned fit that criteria.
The Ringer: Ja'Kobe Walter, Guard, Baylor
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has the Blazers taking Ja’Kobe Walter. The Blazers have two lottery picks, so they can afford to swing for upside. Walker makes a ton of sense as a 19-year-old Freshman who shot 34.1 percent from three at Baylor. Walter also has a solid frame for a guard at 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and should be a good on-ball defender at the next level.
"With their second lottery pick, the Blazers could roll with a player like Walter, who was projected far higher by some evaluators (including myself) ahead of the college season. Walter didn't meet expectations but still flashed enticing scoring upside that could be a great fit next to Henderson, Risacher, and Sharpe."
- Kevin O'Connor
O'Connor has the Blazers getting French wing Zaccharie Risacher at No. 7 in this scenario. But regardless of who their first selection is, Walter would be a great fit as a three-and-D guard next to Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Henderson, in particular, is already a great facilitator, which would take pressure off Walter to be an offensive initiator early in his career.