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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 options for pick No. 26 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Raymond Simms

Mar 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after making a basket late in the second half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Conference Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after making a basket late in the second half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Conference Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Rodions Kurucs, SF, Latvia

Rodions Kurucs is a lanky 19-year-old from Latvia. He has a lot of the tools to be a good wing player, but still needs a little more high-level experience.

Kurucs is already a talented finisher at the rim. He’s athletic enough to dunk regularly, but is also able to finish with a smooth layup. According to The Ringer, he shot 60.3 percent under the basket.

He also has good shooting touch that he can build upon. Kurucs shot 31.6 percent from outside in 2016-17, and The Ringer indicates he shot a particularly strong 42.3 percent from the left wing.

Kurucs may also have some playmaking potential. He averaged 2.7 assists per 40 minutes, pace-adjusted, in 2016-17. However, there are questions about his defense. This could be fixed over time, as he averaged 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per 40 minutes last season.

There is also a desire for him to bulk up a bit more. DraftExpress and The Ringer have him listed at 190 pounds, which would make the request understandable. However, NBA.com listed him at 200 pounds, which would make his height and weight similar to the Charlotte Hornets‘ Nicolas Batum.

Portland could make this selection with the future in mind, stashing him for a year to save money and aid his development. Kurucs does need a little more high-level experience. He spent last season mostly with FC Barcelona’s reserve team, playing 24 games and starting 17 in Spain’s second-tier league. Kurucs was called up to the main team once, playing three minutes in a March Euroleague matchup.

If he’s selected and given more playing time with one of Europe’s top basketball franchises, that will certainly set this young, athletic forward on the right path toward a fruitful NBA career.

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