Trail Blazers 2024 NBA Draft Big Board: Lottery rankings for Rip City
By Reese Kunz
The 2024 NBA Draft is pivotal for the Blazers to continue rebuilding their roster. Although it’s supposedly a weak draft class, Portland still has a prime opportunity with two lottery picks to find at least one player that can become a long-term part of their core alongside Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
The big board rankings account for Portland's guard-heavy roster, factoring in positional need. The fact that they are likely years away from contending makes finding high-upside prospects more of a priority than win-now prospects. However, given the unpredictable and weak draft class, there's also something appealing about taking immediate impact prospects with a higher floor.
Honorable mentions: Carlton Carrington, Ja’Kobe Walter, Kel'el Ware, Zach Edey, and Jared McCain
Tier 6: Developmental fliers
No. 14: Ron Holland, G League Ignite
Ron Holland is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft. He could go within the top ten but could also fall out of the lottery. Holland possesses the size and athleticism to be a great wing defender at the next level. However, it's concerning that Holland only shot 24 percent from beyond the arc this season at G League Ignite. Another concern regarding his shooting is how much Holland relies on his athleticism to score. In the NBA, it will be much more challenging to get to the paint that easily.
Regardless, the fact that Portland needs to find a long-term two-way wing keeps Holland within the top 14.
No. 13: Kyshawn George, Miami
According to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report, Miami's Kyshawn George is in consideration for the Blazers at No. 14. Other prospects mentioned as potential targets for Portland at the end of the lottery include Zach Edey, Kel'el Ware and Tristan Da Silva. George is the most intriguing due to his potential as a versatile wing who can provide shooting and playmaking.
At 6-foot-8, George has the positional size to be a versatile wing who can play and guard multiple positions, giving the Blazers more roster flexibility. George fills multiple needs for Portland as someone who shot over 40 percent from three his freshman year at Miami.