There are a number of valuable rookies available to the Portland Trail Blazers if they keep their No. 26 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
The Portland Trail Blazers have had one pick in the last three drafts. That pick was their 2015 first round selection of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Later that night, Hollis-Jefferson and Steve Blake were traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Mason Plumlee and the No. 41 pick, Pat Connaughton.
In 2017, the Blazers have three picks. All of them are in the first round.
The Blazers received the No. 26 pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, it didn’t come in the most straightforward manner.
On Feb. 18, 2016, Portland sent a future second round pick to Cleveland for Anderson Varejao and a future first-rounder. Reports indicated later that the picks were for the 2018 NBA Draft. Varejao was waived soon after.
Earliest pick CLE could trade to POR is 2018, since 2016 owed to PHX.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) February 18, 2016
Almost 11 months later, the Cavaliers and Blazers discussed a pick swap. Cleveland wanted its 2018 pick back in order to complete a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Kyle Korver. Portland obliged, and on Jan. 6, 2017, they received this 2017 first round pick in return.
There’s a sizable chance that the Blazers will not keep this pick. Portland could package it as part of a trade for a player or cap relief. But there is some value at this spot if they choose to keep the pick.
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In a scenario where they keep all of their picks, Portland will likely have addressed their more pressing issues with their No. 15 and No. 20 selections. Those issues include frontcourt scoring and additional rim protection.
Portland should seek out a wing player with their final first round pick. Doing so would aid their depth and financials.
Third-string guards Pat Connaughton and Tim Quarterman have non-guaranteed deals heading into 2017-18. Connaughton has seen limited playing time over the past two seasons and is contemplating pursuing a pro baseball career. Meanwhile, Quarterman is an undrafted training camp acquisition that struggled at both the NBA and D-League levels.
A new first round-level wing holds more upside and can contribute sooner than ones picked in the second round or that went undrafted.
Should the Blazers look to the wings in the 2017 NBA Draft, here is a look at some players they could consider taking with the No. 26 pick.