Portland Trail Blazers draft profile – Jalen Smith
Chris Phillips
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PNWS continues our series on Portland Trail Blazers potential 2020 first-round draft picks. Today it’s Maryland sophomore center, Jalen Smith.
The 2020 NBA Draft will be interesting because it lacks the depth and high-end talent from the past several years. This year the Portland Trail Blazers have the 16th overall pick. Currently, the league is holding a virtual combine for prospects. It will run through mid-November, wrapping up a few days before Draft Day on November 18.
Today we look at sophomore center Jalen Smith from the University of Maryland Terrapins. At 6-10, 220-pounds has the frame of an NBA big man. That doesn’t include his 7-2 wingspan.
A hard worker, Smith made big improvements from his freshman to sophomore seasons. In 2018, he averaged 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Those numbers increase to 15.5, 10.8, and 2.4, respectively. As a matter of fact, he improved so much that Terps Head Coach Mark Turgeon told Smith that he didn’t need to come back to college for another season.
Pros
A staple with any big man is the ability to finish on a pick and roll. Making 37 percent of his three-point shots last year at Maryland, Smith also can pull up and score like a guard. He can also head to the rim and clean up any loose change.
Smith is a coordinated big man that plays with good energy. He can score both with his back to the basket as well as from the outside. An active rebounder with a quick burst and ability to get off the ground, Smith, fits in well with what the Portland Trail Blazers like to do when they have the ball.
Defensively, Smith’s huge wingspan helps him block shots and protect the rim.
Cons
Due to his slight build, Smith plays a finesse game. He definitely needs to add more strength and weight, especially in his lower half. Smith’s lack of strength hurts his post-up game and ability to get deep position.
The Baltimore native isn’t a good passer. This hurts his team’s inside-out game and leads to forced shots in the post.
Listed as the 5th best power forward in the draft, there are big concerns that Smith will have trouble defending the NBA’s new age power forwards.
Verdict:
His game will remind older Portland Trail Blazers fans of Arvydas Sabonis. Smith will pair nicely with Zach Collins in the Rip City frontcourt of the future.
Some things NBA teams want from their big men these days is the ability to shoot treys, block shots, and be athletic. Smith checks those boxes, as does Collins.
These two could be the start of a new era for the NBA. Big men who can dribble, shoot, block shots, and pass. Smith will be able to play with any of the Trail Blazers big men. That should get him some run in his rookie season.
What I like best about Smith is it is hard to find negatives to his game. The most common negative is strength and weight, which can be fixed, especially with his work ethic. NBA strength and conditioning coaches will correct those weaknesses.
Related Story: Saddiq Bey draft profile
Check back with us later in the week for more draft profiles.