The Portland Trail Blazers should target a wing in the 2018 NBA Draft

The Portland Trail Blazers need a wing player and with not much flexibility in cap space to make a move in free agency, they should turn to the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired two frontcourt players in the 2017 NBA Draft with Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan. This year, they should be targeting bigger guards and wing players to add to their roster. They need guys that can handle the ball, create offense for themselves and teammates, play smart on defense, and shoot from the wing.

The Blazers don’t have enough cap space at the moment to make a splash in free agency or even go after a good role player. According to Spotrac.com, the Blazers are currently $23.2 million over the cap.

If the Blazers find a player in the draft they like, they can get them under a favorable rookie contract for a few seasons that won’t break the bank.

The Blazers need shooting and playmaking on their roster, especially at the wing position.
Portland’s wing players at the moment are Maurice Harkless, Evan Turner, Pat Connaughton and Jake Layman.

Harkless is averaging 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.He is shooting 33.9 percent from 3 on 1.7 attempts a game. Turner is averaging  8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He is shooting 29.7 percent from 3 on 1.5 attempts a game.

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Connaughton is averaging 6.6 points, 2.2rebounds, 1.3 assists. He has been a bright spot for the Blazers and is shooting 37.2 percent from 3 on three attempts a game. Layman is a garbage time player who is shooting 20 percent from 3.

Turner is the only one of that group who can handle the ball and create offense for himself and his teammates.

The Blazers have two elite shooters and playmakers with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Shabazz Napier has played well in the backup guard role for the Blazers this year. They also have been getting hot shooting from power forward Al-Farouq Aminu, but eventually, he will come back down to earth from his 39 percent shooting from the 3-point line this season.

Here are four players the Blazers could target in the 2018 NBA Draft. (If the draft were today, the Blazers would have the No. 14 pick)