The Portland Trail Blazers are in a rebuilding phase following the departure of Damian Lillard. Their roster is an unusual blend of experienced veterans and youthful prospects, but they’re amassing talent to align with Chauncey Billups’ coaching system. The wing duo of Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija stands out as the roster’s most reliable pairing, thanks to their exceptional defensive skills.
This defensive core makes Portland a challenging opponent, underscoring the importance of building around them. The team also features a promising but untested guard tandem in Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. However, with new ownership on the horizon, Portland needs additional young talent to bolster their rebuild. Let’s explore some potential draft targets for the Blazers.
3 Targets for the Blazers at the No. 11 Pick
Kasparas Jakucionis (Guard)
Kasparas Jakucionis, a Lithuanian guard, played professionally for FC Barcelona in 2023 before transitioning to college basketball at Illinois. There, he shone, averaging 15 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game for the Fighting Illini. Standing at 6-foot-6, Jakucionis offers NBA-ready versatility, projecting as a secondary guard who thrives alongside a primary ball-handler.
This makes him a strong fit for the Portland Trail Blazers, where he could complement Scoot Henderson or Anfernee Simons effectively. His adaptability is his greatest asset, aligning well with Portland’s system, particularly as a rotational piece with the developing Shaedon Sharpe at shooting guard. However, his shooting needs improvement, with a 44% field goal percentage and 31.8% from three-point range.
Kasparas Jakucionis’ potential makes him an excellent fit for the Portland Trail Blazers’ rebuild, seamlessly integrating into their system. However, his upside could lead to a higher draft selection. If he’s available when Portland picks, general manager Joe Cronin might see him as the ideal choice.
Carter Bryant (Wing)
Derik Queen (Center)
The Portland Trail Blazers boast a deep center rotation, but with DeAndre Ayton and Robert Williams III entering the final year of their contracts, Donovan Clingan is poised to become the long-term starting center. Potential trades involving Ayton and Williams make drafting another center a viable option.
Derik Queen, a 6-foot-10, 245-pound big man, could be an excellent fit for Portland. His ability to play both power forward and center, combined with his rare dribbling skills for a big man, makes him a versatile offensive weapon, evidenced by his 16.5 points per game at Maryland.
Derik Queen could serve as a dynamic bench spark for the Portland Trail Blazers, offering an offensive contrast to Donovan Clingan’s defensive prowess. With DeAndre Ayton and Robert Williams III’s contracts expiring after next season, Queen could be a ready-made replacement.
His skill set aligns well with Chauncey Billups’ system, positioning him to develop into an impactful frontcourt player. If available at the No. 11 pick, Queen would be a natural choice, though the final decision rests with general manager Joe Cronin and his staff.
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