Portland Trail Blazers 2023 Mock Draft Compilation 1.0
Ed Stein
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Round 1, 23rd overall
This is another pick the Portland Trail Blazers might not keep. They still owe Detroit a first rounder from a prior trade.
The Pistons should take it because the Blazers should be vastly improved next year, and the pick should be within a few spots of what it is now. Also, Cronin is motivated to move it so he can free up future first round picks to use in trades.
If the Portland Trail Blazers keep the pick, some attractive options should be available. Leading the way in mock drafts is 6-8 forward Kris Murray (Keegan’s twin brother), with seven selections.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes star doesn’t put up numbers like his brother does. However, Kris is versatile and can fit into a variety of roles. He makes smart decisions on the floor and provides good length on the defensive perimeter.
Right behind Murray are two players with six selections each, a 6-10 center from Alabama, Noah Clowney, and Jett Howard (Juwan’s son), a 6-7 wing from Michigan.
If Clowney is there, and Portland has the pick, they shouldn’t pass on Clowney. He’s got size at 6-10, isn’t afraid to shoot from outside (3.3 attempts per game last year), and plays defense.
At only 18 years old, Clowney still has room to grow. Portland Trail Blazers fans will love his hustle.
Also receiving multiple selections are Brice Sensabaugh, 6-6, forward, Ohio State (4); Rayan Rupert, 6-7. guard, New Zealand Breakers (4); James Nnaji, 6-11, center, Barcelona (3); Dariq Whitehead, 6-6, forward, Duke (2); and Leonard Miller, 6-10, forward, G-League Ignite (2). Watch out for Leonard Miller; he may be the biggest sleeper in this draft class.
The following players had one selection each: Kobe Bufkin, 6-4, guard, Michigan; Maxwell Lewis, 6-7, W, Pepperdine; Sidy Cissoko, 6-8, forward, G-League Ignite; Jaime Jacquez, 6-6, SF, UCLA; Colby Jones, 6-5, guard, Xavier; Ben Sheppard, 6-6, guard, Belmont; Bilal Coulibaly, G/F, Metropolitans 92; and Trayce Jackson-Davis, 6-8, forward, Indiana.