Portland Trail Blazers 2023 Final Mock Draft Compilation
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 their pick should be within a few spots of what it is now. Also, Cronin is motivated to move it to the Pistons to free up future first round picks to use in trades.
If the Portland Trail Blazers keep the pick, some attractive options should be available. Again, the situation with this pick has changed greatly over the last week. Alabama center Noah Clowney has overtaken Iowa forward Kris Murray (Keegan’s twin brother) for the most selections. But again, the overall landscape has shifted.
Noah Clowney, C – 6 of 43 (June 16), 10 of 65 (June 22), +2.19%
Kris Murray, PF – 7 of 43 (June 16), 8 of 65 (June 22), -3.97%
Brice Sensabaugh, SF – 4 of 43 (June 16), 6 of 65 (June 22), -0.07%
Jaime Jacquez, SF – 1 of 43 (June 16), 6 of 65 (June 22), +6.91%
Leonard Miller, PF/C – 2 of 43 (June 16), 5 of 65 (June 22), +3.04%
Jett Howard, W – 6 of 43 (June 16), 5 of 65 (June 22), -6.26%
Rayan Rupert, G – 5 of 43 (June 16), 4 of 65 (June 22), -7.01%
As with the third pick, it may be a matter of who is on the board when the Portland Trail Blazers get on the clock. If Clowney is there, and Portland has the pick, they shouldn’t pass on him. At 6-10, he has the size they need, isn’t afraid to shoot from outside (3.3 attempts per game last year), and plays defense.
Clowney is only 18, and like many young players, he struggles with consistency. Portland Trail Blazers fans will love his hustle.
Murray doesn’t put up numbers like his brother Keegan does. However, Kris is versatile and can fit into a variety of roles. He makes intelligent decisions on the floor and provides good length on the defensive perimeter.
Watch out for Leonard Miller; he may be the biggest sleeper in this draft class.
Also receiving multiple selections this time are Trayce Jackson-Davis, 6-8, forward, Indiana (4); Olivier Maxine-Prosper, 6-8, forward, Marquette (4); James Nnaji, 6-11, center, Barcelona (3); Dariq Whitehead, 6-6, forward, Duke (2); GG Jackson, 6-9, PF/C, South Carolina (2); Keyonte George, 6-4, guard, Baylor (2); and Nick Smith, 6-5, guard, Arkansas (2).
The following players had one selection each: Kobe Bufkin, 6-4, guard, Michigan; Ben Sheppard, 6-6, guard, Belmont; and Andre Jackson, 6-6, forward, UConn.