Ranking Portland Trail Blazers' Biggest Needs in 2015 NBA Draft
The Portland Trail Blazers are slated to pick at No. 23 in the 2015 NBA draft, and the team's choice will carry some weight, even though it is a low pick.
Up to nine players could wind up being free agents, and the Blazers' selection will therefore prove crucial, as the drafted player may end up playing a major role during the upcoming season. He should also fill a need position-wise regardless of who stays or goes.
Head coach Terry Stotts and his staff require certain skills from their players to maximize the strengths of the system, hence the draftee must also tick the boxes in terms of ability as well.
Positions of Need
With three starting players being unrestricted free agents, the Blazers could very well look much different on opening night. The chances that LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez depart for greener pastures aren't high, but the team must still prepare for that scenario.
As such, Portland should hone in on a frontcourt player in the draft.
Damian Lillard will have the point guard spot locked down for some time, with rookie guard Tim Frazier behind him. Veteran Steve Blake may return courtesy of a player option, but the team will already have an inexperienced player at this spot, so drafting another would be a risky venture.
At the 2, C.J. McCollum had a breakthrough late in the season and proved his mettle as a scorer. A one-two punch of Matthews and McCollum here would be phenomenal, though the former will be a free agent. He may very well return, but adding another shooting guard would clog up the wing with Allen Crabbe on the roster too.
Nicolas Batum is the only true small forward under contract for next season. Crabbe can slide over and play here, but having an extra body at the 3 would be useful. Portland could always look to sign or re-sign a player at this position, but a rookie-scale deal would give the team more flexibility to shell out more for the bigger fish in free agency.
That leaves just Meyers Leonard to man either the power forward or center positions. He'll have a much bigger role next season, coming on strong to close the season like McCollum, though he can't do it alone. Aldridge will be the focal point of the offseason as the clear-cut franchise player, and the future of this team truly depends on his decision.
But even if he returns, the Blazers could use a young forward behind him.
The same could be said about Lopez. Chris Kaman and Joel Freeland did well at the 5 this season, chipping in at power forward additionally, but all three big men could wind up on different teams one way or another. Selecting a center in the draft would also be wise, even if one or all of the above trio hop on board with Rip City once more.
All in all, the Blazers do not need another backcourt player. There is enough talent and enough bodies to go around, and the primary focus should be on filling out the frontcourt.
The Criteria
This team doesn't possess a player of that nature in the paint, in that most of the forwards and centers are heavyset. From Aldridge to Lopez to Kaman to Freeland, none can truly be labeled as great athletes, as most of their games are predicated on skill or footwork.
Having a raw newcomer of that nature would open up a new set of opportunities on both ends.
Up until the trade deadline when he was sent to the Denver Nuggets, Thomas Robinson was that player. He would get the crowd into the game, playing hard on the glass, sending shots back or finishing high-flying sequences. He didn't have a terribly strong post-up game, but he continually worked to get into the paint for shots at the hoop.
The opportunity to add Arron Afflalo was too great to pass up at the deadline, and Robinson was ultimately traded away. He was inconsistent at times, struggling to do more than he was capable of, as opposed to merely playing to his strengths.
When he did play well, however, it gave Portland's bench a different identity. The team must look to draft a player of a similar capacity. Christian Wood out of UNLV is an example of whom the Blazers could target.
He very much resembles the Milwaukee Bucks' John Henson, which strays away from the low-to-the-ground styles of Lopez or Freeland but would be just as effective.
Wood has many skills that would be attractive in Portland's system, namely his rebounding, athleticism and solid jumper to play as a stretch 4. He can also make a difference defensively blocking shots, standing 6'10" with a 7'2" wingspan.
If the Blazers are able to select him at No. 23, the power forward would not only fill out the frontcourt, but also provide this team with a spark where it is needed most.
If Aldridge does indeed leave in free agency, selecting Wood gives Portland an intriguing duo up front with Leonard. Both are face-up players, though Wood is much more adept at handling the ball and getting to the rim.
It might not necessarily be a long-term solution to the frontcourt, as they would be better suited as role players behind a star, but it would make for an interesting combination for the Blazers in the upcoming season.
All salary information courtesy of Basketball Insiders unless otherwise noted.
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