Despite the Portland Trail Blazers entering the 2024 NBA Draft with four picks, they ended up coming away with only one player in the draft. However, due to their lottery pick and intelligent trades, they were still one of the draft's biggest winners. Here's how the draft unfolded:
Pick No. 7: Donovan Clingan
Getting someone in No. 1 pick talks leading up to the draft at No. 7 is an amazing value. We've known that the Blazers were very interested in Donovan Clingan for weeks; the only question was if he would be available at No. 7 or if the team would have to trade up to get him. Luckily, the stars aligned perfectly, and the Blazers got their guy.
Clingan projects to be an elite rim-protector that could give the Blazers a real defensive identity. There are many questions about what this pick means for Deandre Ayton, and that remains to be seen. It's possible that the Blazers try to run a Towns/Gobert type of frontcourt if they trust Ayton enough outside of the paint. Clingan could also be an intimidating bench threat behind Ayton, or Ayton may be out of the picture entirely.
Regardless, Clingan will do what he does best - block shots, pull in boards, and catch lobs from his guards. He can be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate at his best, and at his worst, he'll still be a presence in the paint. He's going to be a breath of fresh air for this team. Blazers fans should be very excited about this pick.
Grade: A
Pick No. 14: Traded to the Wizards for Deni Avdija
Before the start of the draft, the Portland Trail Blazers traded Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th pick in the draft, a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks to the Washington Wizards for Deni Avdija. The Wizards used the 14th pick on Bub Carrington from Pittsburgh.
Portland was able to get Deni Avdija after a career year in Washington, during which he averaged 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, shot 37 percent from three-point range, and was a very versatile defender. The Wizards' decision to trade Avdija is puzzling, but the Blazers got fantastic value, especially considering Avdija's team-friendly contract. After being criticized for the value they got in return for Damian Lillard, the Blazers are finally shipping out the remaining players they got from the Lillard and Holiday trades for young players who fit their timeline.
Deni Avdija, like Clingan, will bring some versatility to Portland. He's likely to start this season at small forward and contribute in multiple aspects as Portland's much-needed two-way forward who can stretch the floor and guard multiple positions. The Blazers gave up a lot of assets, but Avdija is a tough player who will be essential to this team's young core. They are now much better positioned in their rebuild after being under the luxury tax and having many promising players who fit their timeline.
Grade: B+
Picks No. 34 and No. 40: Traded for future second-round picks (and cash)
The Blazers traded the No. 34 pick to the New York Knicks, which they used to select Tyler Kolek. In exchange, Portland received three future second-round picks: a 2027 second from Minnesota, the 2029 least favorable second between Indiana and Washington, and a 2030 second from New York.
They also traded the No. 40 pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder to move down to the No. 52, along with cash. Then, they flipped the No. 52 pick to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for more cash.
Blazers got cash from OKC to move up from 52 to 40, and then got cash from Golden State for their own pick (52) back. This after sending 34 to New York for three future seconds. They're out of the second round entirely.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) June 27, 2024
These are seemingly inconsequential trades, but there were quite a few high-value prospects that the Blazers should have taken. It would have been nice if the Blazers kept at least one of these picks. However, if they want to stockpile for the future and get back some of the assets they gave to aquire Deni Avdija, then that's a valid decision.
Grade: C+
Overall, this draft should be a good sign for Blazers fans. The rebuild has been shaky in its first season, but the team is starting to trend in the right direction with the additions of Clingan and Avdija. They will both be key contributors next season as the Blazers try to improve upon their 2023-2024 season.
Overall draft grade: B+