Jun 25, 2024 - Sports

Blazers plan to add more young talent with 2, top-15 NBA Draft picks

Meira Gebel

A photo of a stage with the words "7th Pick" spelled out. — The Portland Trail Blazers landed the seventh pick in the NBA Draft this week. Photo: Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA Draft is Wednesday and who the Blazers choose for their No. 7 and No. 14 picks is still up in the air.

Why it matters: The Blazers need to snag rising stars if they hope to inject some enthusiasm back onto the court following a particularly horrid season in which they finished 21-61 and dead last in the Western Conference.

State of play: Developing young talent is the priority for the Blazers. Portland selected guards Scoot Henderson third overall in the 2023 draft and Shaedon Sharpe at No. 7 in 2022.

Popular NBA commentators have suggested the Blazers may select UConn center Donovan Clingan or Colorado Buffaloes forward Cody Williams as their No. 7 pick — both prioritized for their height and ability to defend the rim.
The No. 14 slot could go to Purdue center Zach Edey or Tristan da Silva, another Buffaloes forward who worked out for the Blazers last week.

Zoom in: Aaron Fentress and Bill Oram, local sports columnists for The Oregonian, believe the best bet for the team would be to score a desperately needed forward or, really, "the best player available."

Flashback: Last season, All-Star point guard Damian Lillard left the Blazers — after over a decade — when the team picked Henderson instead of trading for an established star.

The move marked heartbreak for Blazers fans who saw Lillard as a hometown hero.

Fun fact: The Blazers have one of the youngest rosters in the league, with no player over 31.

How to watch: The first round of the NBA Draft airs Wednesday on ABC and ESPN at 5pm.

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Blazers plan to add more young talent with 2, top-15 NBA Draft picks

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