In a recent article in the Oregonian, columnist Jason Quick noted that GM Neil Olshey has a system of watching college players, in preparation for the NBA Draft. They have targeted "15-18" college players, with each scout observing that player three times. Who could these players be?
*My big board rankings will rank players differently than this, ex: I have Len rated higher than most, and Bennett lower than most.
Out of our range/trade up: Unless Portland moves up via the draft lottery, these players most likely won't fall into the latter portion of the lottery. We would most likely love most of these players, but they won't last at this point.
Ben McLemore SG/Kansas
Nerlens Noel PF/Kentucky
Shabazz Muhammad SF/UCLA
Marcus Smart PG/Oklahoma State
Otto Porter SF/Georgetown
Could slip: These players most likely will not last to where Portland would pick in rd one (if they keep their pick- remember, it is top 12 protected). Unlike the prospects listed above, though, these players have at least some chance of landing in spots 8-12.
Cody Zeller C/Indiana
Alex Len C/Maryland
Victor Oladipo SG/Indiana
Anthony Bennett
In our range: Unlike the top 9 players listed above, these players will almost surely be available from spots 10-12.
Michael Carter-Williams PG/Syracuse
CJ McCollum G/Lehigh
Isaiah Austin PF/Baylor
Trey Burke PG/Michigan
Alex Poythress F/Kentucky
Archie Goodwin SG/Kentucky
Gary Harris SG/Michigan State
Rudy Gobert C/France
Willie Cauley Stein C/Kentucky
Mason Plumlee PF/Duke
Allan Crabbe SG/California
Kelly Olynyk PF/Gonzaga
Trade Down: If we cannot find a player we like in that spot (unlikely) or (more likely) find a player who we love, and can still get at a lower slot, this could be an option. Potential players:
Russ Smith G/Louisville
Andre Roberson F/Colorado
Sergey Karasev F/Russia
Dario Saric F/Serbia
James McAdoo PF/North Carolina
CJ Leslie F/NC State
Gorgui Dieng C/Louisville
Jeff Withey C/Kansas
Steven Adams C/Pittsburgh
Jamaal Franklin SF/San Diego State
Myck Kabongo PG/Texas
CJ Wilcox SG/Washington
Tony Mitchell F/North Texas
LeBryan Nash SF/Oklahoma State
Glenn Robinson III SF/Michigan
Mouhammadou Jaiteh C/France
Giannis Adetokunbo F/Greece
*Note- Trading up with 2 rd. 2 picks could potentially net a player of this caliber as well
Second round potential picks: These players show more value in round 2, as they slipped from the end of rd. 1 (i.e Will Barton last year) or offer value with skills Portland needs.
Nemanja Nedovic G/Serbia
Brandon Paul SG/Illinois
Kyle Anderson F/UCLA
Isaiah Canaan PG/Murray State
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG/Georgia
Lorenzo Brown PG/NC State
Richard Howell PF/NC State
Doug McDermott SF/Creighton
DeShaun Thomas SF/Ohio State
Jackie Carmichael PF/Illinois State
Mike Muscala C/Bucknell
Elias Harris SF/Gonzaga
Lucas Nogueira C/Brazil
Aziz N'Diaye C/Washington
CJ Fair F/Syracuse
Phil Pressey PG/Missouri
Patric Young C/Florida
Erick Green PG/Virginia Tech
Nate Wolters PG/South Dakota State
Kenny Kadji PF/Miami
It is important to note that not all of these players will even be in the draft. Most are underclassmen who may not declare, or international players who will try again in a year or two. In a weak draft class (at the top- it is actually quite deep), many players will enter thinking they could get taken higher. If there are players I left out that should be considered, post in the comments.
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