ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo updated his NBA Mock Draft Wednesday morning, while adding insight into the direction of the various teams in the league. THE Portland Trail Blazers dominated in a few moments.
First, let’s cover their mock picks for the Blazers, including some familiar names in the first round:
#7: Donovan Clingan (Central 20, Connecticut)
#14: Ja’Kobe Walter (19-year-old winger, Baylor)
These two names have regularly been seen next to the Blazers’ picks in mock drafts. Meanwhile, these mock picks were listed in the second round:
#34: Cam Christie (18-year-old shooter, Minnesota)
#40: Melvin Ajinca (19-year-old wing, France)
However, they also provided unique insight into Portland’s possible direction, sometimes provided to executives of other teams.
- THE Atlanta Falcons are interested in Zaccharie Risacher or Donovan Clingan, but might consider a trade down if they can still get the player they want. They failed to get Alex Sarr out.
- Other teams believe neither Dalton Knecht nor Donovan Clingan will be on the board at the No. 9 pick.because they will not get past Portland and the San Antonio Spurs, if any of the players are available at that time. Knecht is chosen sixth by Charlotte in this simulation.
- Speaking of Clingan, his stock is clearly on the rise. He is listed as a trade candidate, so a team could jump ahead of Portland. Otherwise, he could be available to the Blazers, in part because he’s not a position of need for the teams directly above them.
- The Blazers are on the list of teams meeting with Nikola Topic next week. Topic, who is recovering from a knee injury, is listed as a possible “redshirt freshman” situation with one team picking him to possibly return a year later.
THE NBA Draft is officially a week away. The first round takes place on June 26 and the second round takes place the following night.
