2017 NBA Draft: Biggest winners and losers of the draft

2017 NBA Draft: Biggest winners and losers

By Max Holm | Jun 23, 2017

Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Zach Collins (Gonzaga) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number ten overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest Loser #5: Portland Trail Blazers

While he’s wearing a Sacramento Kings hat in the photo above, Zach Collins won’t be heading to California’s capitol. In what was a great trade, at first, for a team with three picks in the first round, the Portland Trail Blazers could have done a lot better with this selection.

The biggest word out of Portland was that they were looking to move up to find help for Damian Lillard, per the point guard’s request. Collins projects to be a good pro, but he’s going to be a project. Sure he dominated large parts of games, but all in limited minutes. It’s hard to see him contributing right away and it’s harder to swallow the Blazers skipping on the chance to draft Malik Monk.

Monk was still on the board at No. 10 and his shooting would have been at least one skill Lillard could have utilized next season. In addition to not drafting Monk, or even Donovan Mitchell‘s bulldog defending, the Blazers took Caleb Swanigan with their 26th pick.

I’ll happily eat my words here, but given his lack of mobility and inability to play both sides of the ball, this pick leaves a lot to be desired. The Blazers are mostly this low because not that many teams had bad nights. However, when you trade into the top-10 and leave Monk on the board, that’s a bad call by the front office.