Blazers mock draft roundup: Rip City addresses shooting need at pick No. 14
By Reese Kunz
CBS Sports: Ja'Kobe Walter, Guard, Baylor
CBS Sports writer Kyle Boone also has Portland selecting Ja'Kobe Walter at No. 14. In the mock draft roundup for pick No. 7, Connecticut center Donovan Clingan was the only repeat. This time around, it's the Baylor guard.
Coming out of the draft with Clingan and Walter would be an excellent pairing for the Blazers, as both would instantly help their defense. In the short term, Walter would contribute as a three-and-D role player, which is his floor. But he has the upside of contributing more on offense if he can improve his ballhandling and tap into his shot-creating potential.
"Walter showed all the tools that made him a five-star prospect during his one season at Baylor with an array of athleticism and quick-trigger shooting that makes for an easy NBA projection."
- Kyle Boone
At Baylor, Walter averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals on 38/34/79 shooting splits. He needs to improve his efficiency and playmaking, but is worth the Blazers taking a flyer on in a weak draft class.
The good news is that the aspects of Walter's game that he excels at—his spot-up shooting, ability to get to the free-throw line, and on-ball defense—is precisely what his role would be with Portland. Shooting is a premium in the NBA, and Walter is worth the value here for the Blazers if he's available at pick No. 14.
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