David Thorpe of ESPN.com writes that the Portland Trail Blazers should consider drafting UNC point guard Kendall Marshall. ----------------------------- He's a better "value" pick with the Blazers' second choice, but in a few years no one will care when he was selected. Marshall has the kind of game that Batum needs to play at his best -- someone who can find Batum sprinting or slashing so he does not need but a few dribbles to score. Matthews and Aldridge, too, would benefit from a great passer, and Marshall might be the best passing prospect in a decade. He is the classic player whose sum is greater than his individual parts, which is a talent unto itself. He's more than just a great assist man, he's a willing ball mover. Portland was basically a bottom-third team in assist rate this season, something unlikely to happen again with Marshall on board. Matthews, Batum and Aldridge can offer him defensive protection, one minute area of weakness for Marshall. ----------------------------- Other players he believes Portland should consider: Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes, Damian Lillard and John Henson. Blazers guard Nolan Smith ranked No. 49 on Thorpe's list of top 50 rookies. Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried ranked No. 2. -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter