Here are the 2017 NBA Draft grades for each of the three picks made by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Among the 30 teams in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers were in the best possible position to turn the 2017 NBA Draft upside down on its head. Holding the 15th pick, the 20th pick and the 26th pick overall, the Blazers had a number of different viable options, each of which had varying levels of potential to shake up the current foundation of the league.
Would they try for a headliner trade for an All-Star player like Paul George? Would another team be interested in Portland packaging their picks in an attempt to move up into the lottery? Could the Blazers use one or two of their picks in a salary dump? If not, then which international players would the Blazers be interested in drafting and stashing overseas?
Whatever route they chose to take, the main priority was always the same: add some first round talent — preferably a defensive presence in the frontcourt — while keeping in mind their limited financial flexibility.
So what did the Blazers end up doing? How did they do it? Was it the right way to go?
Feel free to tell us what you think about all that and more as we dive into the Blazers edition of Hoops Habit’s 2017 NBA Draft grades.