The Portland Trail Blazers hold the No. 11 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a selection they believe will bring in another young talent to strengthen their future core.
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports recently released a post-lottery mock draft where he has the Blazers selecting Collin Murray-Boyles, a forward from South Carolina.
O’Connor noted that Portland made significant improvements on defense in the latter half of last season, so picking Murray-Boyles would reinforce the team’s newly established defensive identity.
“Murray-Boyles is like a defensive wizard, capable of guarding all positions, using his lightning-fast hands to steal the ball, and dominating the boards. He’s a standout defensive player, and on offense, he’s a powerful finisher with a natural feel for playmaking. If he improves his jump shot, he could move from a tweener to All-Star level,” O’Connor wrote.
Murray-Boyles is seen as a versatile defender, able to move quickly and adjust to various types of players.
At the very least, his defensive prowess is expected to earn him significant NBA minutes and set him on a path to becoming a valuable contributor.
Murray-Boyles’ ability to rebound and finish with aggression, coupled with his strong basketball instincts, would be a great fit alongside Portland’s current roster.
The Blazers already have multiple offensive creators, like Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson, who can generate offense on their own. Shaedon Sharpe has also continued to grow as a scorer, meaning the team now needs to focus on adding complementary pieces to this offensive core.
While players like Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan already offer this type of support, bringing in Murray-Boyles would deepen the team’s roster and provide another piece who would seamlessly fit into the team’s evolving structure.
Murray-Boyles’ potential largely hinges on the development of his jump shot. If he can improve his ability to stretch the floor, he could reach the All-Star level O’Connor has suggested.
With his strong defense and relentless effort, Murray-Boyles also has a high floor, ensuring he can bring energy and contribute to any team right away.
Leave a Reply