The Portland Trail Blazers finished at the bottom of the Western Conference standings and are eager to add talent. They entered a total rebuild by trading Damian Lillard, but face a unique problem. Portland has $165.5 million committed in salaries for next season and just one open roster spot. They are over the cap and pushing the luxury tax line after winning just 21 games. Expect the Blazers to make moves to clear some salary and roster space.
Portland has four picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, and their plan is already taking shape. They must continue developing their young talent and add to it. The Blazers have a 13.2 percent chance at picking first overall and will likely have two lottery selections.
The 2024 NBA Draft is considered weak by many analysts but will feature multiple premier prospects. Can the Blazers uncover the gems? Here is a look at who Portland would select if they keep their four picks in this year’s draft.
4. Portland Trail Blazers select Stephon Castle
There is little clarity at the top of the 2024 draft. Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr are the safest bets for the top two selections, but there is no runaway number-one player like Victor Wembanyama last year. Things are wide open after that and will depend on the team on the clock.
Portland finished 30th in 3-point percentage, 29th in offensive rating, and 23rd on defense. They need floor spacing and more firepower on both ends of the floor. Finding someone with size capable of sharing the floor with Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson is a must. Portland has options, including Matas Buzelis, Cody Williams, and Donovan Clingan, but Castle makes the most sense if they want defense and playmaking.
The 6’6 wing just helped UConn win a national title. Some may view this as a reach after Castle shot just 26.7 percent from 3-point range during his freshman season, but his lockdown defense and ability to make connective passes are exactly what the Trail Blazers need.
Having four picks likely means taking multiple swings on wings or big men to round out their young core. The Trail Blazers would be wise to be opportunistic and could be the team to select someone slipping down the draft board.
14. Trail Blazers add Ja’Kobe Walter
There are two names to watch here. Both entered as top ten prospects, but go in the middle of the first round in most mock drafts. Tidjane Salaun is a 6’9 forward from France capable of handling the ball and spacing the floor. He will likely be selected a bit too high, but Portland would love to see him or a 6’5 wing fall to 14.
Walter projects as a 3-and-D wing but struggled during his lone season at Baylor. He ranked eighth in his class coming out of high school and showed flashes of that potential. The 6’5 wing averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 32.3 minutes per game, but shot just 37.6 percent from the field and 34.1 percent on his 3-point tries.
Walter can guard multiple positions, score 15 points per game, and sink open shots. He may blossom into the 3-and-D wing every team covets. His 6’10 wingspan gives him plenty of defensive upside and it is dangerous to write off the teenager after 35 subpar college games.
NBA teams can never have too much wing depth. Ja’Kobe Walter will need time to develop, but he could blossom into a starter and key contributor. The Portland Trail Blazers have time and could get one of the steals of this draft if Walter falls to the final lottery selection.
34. Portland takes Justin Edwards
The Trail Blazers should shoot for upside in the second round. They have time to develop talent and the hit rate on these prospects is much lower. Portland should not be afraid to take a raw player their front office believes in.
Edwards fits this bill. He ranked third in his class coming out of high school and was a projected top-five draft pick heading into his freshman season at Kentucky. The 6’7 wing was profiled as a dynamic scorer, but never quite found his footing with the Wildcats.
Edwards started 30 of his 32 games but averaged just 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 21.4 minutes each night. He shot 48.6 percent from the field and 36.5 percent on his 3-point attempts. There were flashes, but Edwards was often outplayed by Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard coming off the bench.
The 20-year-old could fit nicely in Portland. He competes hard on the defensive end and is a connector on offense. He won’t create a ton of shots and was not aggressively looking for his own, but the Blazers need someone to keep the ball moving. There are questions about his jumper, but Edwards made 31 of his 85 3-point attempts in his lone college season.
Could Justin Edwards blossom into a strong 3-and-D option in the NBA? There is certainly untapped potential, and the 6’7 wing is a worthy gamble in the early second round.
40. Blazers select Oso Ighodaro
Portland has Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III at the five. Fans only saw six games for the latter before he suffered a season-ending knee injury. He has topped 35 games just twice in his six-year NBA career. The Blazers would be wise to trade him, especially if they want to give Ayton significant run again. The former number-one overall pick has plenty to prove, but his strong play over the second half likely keeps him in Rip City.
Ighodaro will likely fall into the second round because of his age, lack of shooting, and being an undersized five. He could be this year’s Trayce Jackson-Davis. The 6’9 big man averaged 13.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 32.5 minutes per game during his senior year at Marquette.
His passing, defense, and screening ability make him a strong fit in Rip City. Ighodaro may settle in as a backup big man, but he could change the game in 20 minutes every night. His lack of shooting is a drawback, but Portland could find lineups that maximize his skill set.
The Portland Trail Blazers may not find a superstar in the 2024 NBA Draft, but there will be plenty of talent available. Can they land a couple of quality role players to jumpstart their rebuild? That should be their goal.