The Portland Trailblazers get a big man in the 2020 NBA Draft
I will give you two predictions in one here, the first being that the Portland Trailblazers will miss the playoffs. That puts the Blazers at the end of the NBA Draft lottery, what will they do? Where will they go? I am going to project that Portland would love to grab a big man at this spot. So who is the best option to have? none other than Jaden McDaniels.
McDaniels stands 6’9 and weighs 200 pounds as a 19-year-old. The problem is McDaniels, is that he struggles to score. That is putting it gently. I do not think the big man will be a “bucket getter” in the NBA. Another problem that makes him fall this far is that he is not exactly the biggest. Granted at 6’9 and with his body build, there is certainly room for a professional weight staff to get a 19-year-old up to speed.
So what does he do well? He is a tough-nosed bulldog on the defensive end, that does all the dirty work. If he can get stronger and bigger, he will turn into a Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison hybrid. He is one of the few prospects who enjoys and looks for the gritty stuff. The floor burns, the loose balls, the rotations, the backdowns. He wants it all.
A great rebounder, and an excellent passer, McDaniels would be a perfect compliment to CJ and Dame. He can make the extra pass, get the extra hustle rebound, find the open shooter, and set hard screens. I would love to see him in Portland, and I think this organization is the one that can reach his full potential.
Again, not a guy who will have fans over the moon right away. His highlight package will not get Portland fans excited in June. However, the impact he will have on the game and the season would send Trailblazers fans into their happy place.