Ranking top 5 draft prospects for Portland Trail Blazers' pick No. 7
By Reese Kunz
The Portland Trail Blazers were unlucky in the NBA Draft lottery, falling to pick No. 7 despite finishing with the worst record in the Western Conference at 21-61. The good news is that the draft class projects to be the weakest since 2013 when Cleveland Cavaliers' Anthony Bennett was the No. 1 overall pick.
There are no sure-fire picks at the top, meaning the Trail Blazers still have a reasonable chance of selecting the best player even though they fell in the draft. If available, some prospects are emerging as ones Rip City should target at pick No. 7, especially given their positional fit and high-upside.
5. Matas Buzelis, Forward, G League Ignite
Matas Buzelis is an intriguing draft prospect due to his 6-foot-10 frame and well-rounded skill set. At 19, Buzelis is not yet particularly elite at one trait but can contribute in multiple facets. His swing skill to have a productive NBA career is his shooting ability—Buzelis was inefficient with the G League Ignite, shooting 27.3 percent from three and 67.8 percent from the free-throw line.
However, the eye tests suggest that Buzelis will be at least an average shooter in the league, which is currently baked into his draft value. If Buzelis can become a threat from beyond the arc, he will fit in seamlessly with the Blazers' roster, providing them much-needed length and versatility at the wing position.