Portland Trail Blazers 2020 two round mock draft compilation 2.0
Ed Stein
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Round 1 – 16th overall pick
To show how much opinions vary, of all the mock drafts we audited, nine different players are projected to go the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. Despite that division, some favorites have emerged as front runners. Here is the breakdown.
- Saddiq Bey, 6-9, F, Villanova, sophomore – 7 selections, 28%
- Precious Achiuwa, 6-9, F/C, Memphis, freshman – 4 selections, 16%
- Aaron Nesmith, 6-6, SF, Vanderbilt, sophomore – 3 selections, 12%
The percentage on Bey is slightly down (30.2 last time) while Achiuwa is slightly up (3.04). Nesmith is the big mover up from 4.3 percent in version 1.0 to 12 percent today. Additionally, now 72 percent of mocks have Portland drafting a forward. that explains why
Guards will be in abundance when Portland is on the clock. The problem with that is the Trail Blazers don’t need to take a guard in the first round. Dame and C.J. are one of the best backcourt tandems in the league. Anfernee Simons is an up and comer and can make things happen when he has the ball. Gary Trent Jr. played terrific 3-and-D in the bubble. He was often the first man off the bench for coach Terry Stotts.
That means Portland should go with a forward. Bey and Achiuwa are the best candidates who should be on the board. There is no guarantee that either will be available at 16. I think one of them will.
If by some quirk of fate both men are still on the board, Portland GM Neil Olshey will have to decide whether he wants an inside player or a perimeter player. In terms of point production, Bey had a slightly better scoring average, 16.1 to 15.8 points per game.
Saddiq Bey
Bey is by far the better shooter. At Villanova last season he nailed 45.1 percent of his shots from behind the three-point line. Additionally, he is an excellent defender. Bey may not get many boards, but he can keep his man off the glass in addition to playing him tightly. He’d be a great pickup especially if the Blazers find a way to bring Whiteside back.
“Villanova wing Saddiq Bey is the most underrated prospect in the 2020 NBA Draft class.” – Rob Dauseter, NBC Sports.
Precious Achiuwa
Achiuwa on the other hand is a top rebounder. He averaged 10.8 rebounds per game. It’s not that Achiuwa can’t shoot threes, he made 32.5 percent last year, it’s that he only took 40 long-distance shots. The Bronx, NY native prefers to create his opportunities closer to the rim.
If Bey is an excellent defender, Achiuwa has the potential to be elite. Memphis had one of the best defenses in the country last year and Achiuwa was their anchor. His strength and phenomenal athleticism, not to mention 7-1 wingspan, makes him a nightmare for whoever he guards. He would be a good choice if the Portland Trail Blazers keep Ariza.
Others receiving votes: Jalen Smith, 6-10, C, Maryland (2), RJ Hampton – 6-5, G, New Zealand Breakers (2); Josh Green, 6-6, G/F, Arizona, freshman (2); Jaden McDaniels, 6-10, wing, Washington, freshman; Patrick Williams – 6-8, F, Florida State, freshman; Theo Maledon – 6-5, PG, France; Tre Jones, 6-3, PG, Duke, freshman, and Tyrese Maxey, 6-3, SG, Kentucky, freshman.