Will Barton started to show flashes of brilliance towards the end of the season. If he can build and continue off of that, the Portland Trail Blazers will have an athletically fascinating player to play the wing, off the bench. Add CJ McCollum and Allen Wright into the mix and you are looking pretty decent moving forward. I also think there is a possibility of them adding a veteran such as Vince Carter to add to the rotation.
Drafting wings is less risky than drafting point guards or big men. Wings come in and are only expected to score and defend. With an existing wing rotation that is above average in ability and potential, the Blazers would basically be looking to acquire a low-risk, high-reward type player. A mid to late second round pick that would be able to sit on the bench or inactive list for a year or two while continuing to prepare to contribute in the NBA.
My preview of some wings the Blazers may have their eyes one:
Zach LaVine, UCLA
Projected Draft Position: Late Lottery, Mid First Round
At one point LaVine was projected as a second round draft pick. That was all smashed when he recorded a 46” vertical. Since then, he has been reported to have had multiple very successful workouts with individual teams. He can shoot the 3 ball as well as almost anyone else in this draft but other than that, comes in a fairly unknown player. As a freshman at UCLA he was fairly under-utilized. Coming into the draft teams aren’t even quite sure what position to slate LaVine at, point guard or shooting guard. He is 6’6” and very athletic. It will be a roller coaster ride to whichever team drafts him. But then again, who doesn’t like roller coasters?
Kyle Anderson, UCLA
Projected Draft Position: Late First Round
In his two years at UCLA, Anderson was a ton of fun to watch. He is a 6’8 player that can play the point, or either wing position. That versatility is worth its weight in gold in a league that is so riddled with injuries. Anderson adds a lot to a team with his well-rounded offensive game. He can score, distribute and rebound. In my mind, he is one of the most offensively versatile players in the league.
As exciting as it is to have a player that can play many positions, it can add to some difficulties on the defensive end. Being able to run the point guard position doesn’t mean he can defend NBA point guards. If he can find his place on defense, he will be a very good rotation player in the first couple years of his NBA career.
Spencer Dinwiddie, University of Colorado
Projected Draft Position: Mid Second Round
I had no intention of this preview being a Pac-12 horn tooting but it is starting to look that way. Dinwiddie was a very efficient, talented player during his three years at Colorado. He is a super-efficient wing player that takes care of the ball exceptionally for the position. Like many wing players in the draft, Dinwiddie has a well-round offensive game but lacks in his defensive skill set. Aside from his defense, he could also add some muscle to an otherwise slight frame.
Tomorrow is my draft guide on the big men that the Blazers may be targeting during the draft Thursday.
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