Portland Trail Blazers 2023 Mock Draft Compilation 1.0
Ed Stein
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Round 1, 3rd overall
Dame wants to win now, and he said he doesn’t have time to wait on another player to develop. There is plenty of buzz about the Portland Trail Blazers trading the pick.
If they keep it, a potential superstar will make his way to Rip City. 7-5 center Victor Wembanyama is the sure-fire first pick, but this draft features three franchise players. Forward Brandon Miller from Alabama and Scoot Henderson of the G-League ignite a considered among the best draft-eligible players available over the past several years.
The ”tide” has shifted back and forth over the last month and currently leans toward Henderson. But Miller is gaining support. The mock draft breakdown is:
Henderson – 56.82%
Miller – 36.36%
Other – 6.82%
Charlotte picks number two, and Miller is a better fit for their lineup. It’s not guaranteed that he will go to the Hornets or they even keep the pick.
The 6-9 power forward is a prolific scorer and shooter. He can also handle himself on the glass and is a good defender. He sometimes struggles with consistency but not for long periods. And his off-court history raises a few flags.
If Miller goes second, Henderson is far more than the Portland Trail Blazers’ consolation prize. He has elite physical tools and the work ethic to improve.
In the G-League, he took over games with his explosiveness and mid-range jump shot. Henderson is far from a finished product and has plenty of room for improvement. The 17% he shot from three-point range for the Ignite last season won’t cut it as a guard at the NBA level.