The Portland Trail Blazers are going to be busy during the 2024 NBA Draft. They have a total of four selections, two in the first round and two in the second, to help upgrade their roster for the future.
Both of their first-round picks will be in the lottery; Nos. 7 and 14. Given the state of their roster, selecting the best player available makes a lot of sense. They need as many building blocks as possible alongside Scoot Henderson.
One position they are reportedly seeking to add to is at center. That could surprise a lot of people, as it seems to be the only position they are currently set at.
After acquiring Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, the team also added Robert Williams III from the Boston Celtics in the Jrue Holiday deal.
But, word around NBA Draft circles is that Donovan Clingan will not fall past the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7. Should Clingan go earlier in the draft, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer has revealed they have their sights set on another big man; Zach Edey out of Purdue.
“The Blazers also worked out Purdue center Zach Edey earlier in the month, and people around the NBA believe that they are also extremely high on him—not just for the 14th pick, but for their first choice at no. 7. The bottom line is that the Blazers seem to be looking to come away with a center to pair with Scoot Henderson and their other young pieces. And if Portland ends up with Clingan, Edey, or another center on Wednesday night, then perhaps there will be a domino effect this summer, with Ayton and Williams trades to follow,” O’Connor wrote.
The two-time defending National Player of the Year has seen his draft stock fluctuate in recent weeks. After the college season ended, many questions remained about Edey’s fit as a professional.
Some analysts believed that he wasn’t worth a first-round pick. But, he brings elite skills to the table that NBA teams like. There is a strong base to work with from a developmental standpoint.
Edey is one of the most polarizing prospects in this year’s draft class. It sounds as if the No. 14 pick owned by the Portland Trail Blazers could be his floor in the first round.
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