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The Portland Trail Blazers have concluded their first round of pre-draft workouts in anticipation of the 2018 NBA Draft. There’s yet to be news of who Portland will bring in next to possibly draft No. 24 overall. Let’s see who draft experts around the basketball community have going to the Blazers at pick 24 after our third Mock Draft Roundup.
Matt Norlander, CBS Sports: Chandler Hutchison (SF, Boise State)
Love stories like this. Hutchison quietly did his work, got better, and is going to come out of Boise State as a highly probable first-round pick. Yet many who read this might not know him at all. He’s a regional fit with Portland, staying in the Pacific Northwest. Well-rounded wing who has among the best handles for any player 6-7 or taller in this draft.
Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated: Josh Okogie (SG, Georgia Tech)
Portland could use a bigger defensive-minded wing to bolster their rotation, and Okogie has done a lot for himself during the predraft process, putting him in play in this range. He has a lot in his toolbox, and though his motor can waver a bit, the talent is evident when he’s engaged. He needs to rein in his shot selection, but can make an open three and get into the paint, and could fit nicely with the Blazers’ stars in the backcourt. Okogie is younger than some of the freshmen in this draft, and could fit the 3-and-D mold nicely.
Michael Scotto, The Athletic (subscription required): Anfernee Simons (SG, IMG Academy)
Portland is one of four teams Simons has worked out for along with Chicago, Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers as of now. He will continue the workout trail in Utah, Orlando, New York, Philadelphia and Milwaukee.
“I consider myself a player that can play the one and the two, come off screens and get an open jumper or also come off ball screens and do different things facilitating and stuff,” Simons said at his Lakers workout.
Similar to Zach Collins last season, Simons would represent an upside pick for the Trail Blazers.
Jordan Schultz, Yahoo! Sports: Jacob Evans (SG/SF, Cincinnati)
Evans is terrific defender who understands how to use his length and quickness. An adequate shooter (38 percent from 3-point range in college), he will become more valuable as he improves his perimeter shooting.
You can find extensive draft profiles of these prospects here at Blazer’s Edge:
The NBA Draft is Thursday, June 21.