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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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Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) goes up for a shot as Michigan Wolverines guard Duncan Robinson (22) defends during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) goes up for a shot as Michigan Wolverines guard Duncan Robinson (22) defends during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Dillon Brooks, SF, Oregon

Canadian forward Dillon Brooks would be a good pick at No. 26 if the Blazers prefer a scorer off the bench over Swiss army knives like Iwundu or Thornwell. Brooks would also bring a local angle to Portland, as he spent three seasons as an Oregon Duck.

Brooks averaged 16.1 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting from the field and 40.1 percent from three. He also averaged 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His 25.6 PER was second-best on the team and his 4.7 win shares were third-best. He was named a consensus second-team All-American for his production.

Brooks was a key part in Oregon’s run to the 2017 Final Four. He averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for a team that lost to eventual champion North Carolina by only one point.

Brooks is a versatile scorer, able to shoot from anywhere on the floor and willing to take tough shots. He’s also known for his willingness to take over big games. Brooks notched game-winning shots against UCLA and Cal. He also has a big frame that allows him to body up defenders in traffic and hold his own on defense.

Brooks is also able to create for others, as his 2.7 assists per game stretches out to 4.3 per 40 minutes, pace-adjusted.

He does possess some downside. His wingspan matches his height, which limits his ability to rebound against NBA bigs, block and disrupt passing lanes. This could keep him from being an effective small-ball power forward.

Also, his lack of athleticism could catch up with him. Despite his fearlessness, he wasn’t the most creative off-the-dribble, sometimes forcing shots on his straight line drives. On defense, he sometimes proved too small to take on bigger power forwards and not nimble enough to keep up with quicker guards. That could be problematic for a Blazers team that was 24th in defensive rating.

However, selecting Dillon Brooks would give the Blazers a familiar, fearless, talented scorer with the height and frame to cause problems for opposing wings.

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