Should Jacob Evans Be the Blazers’ Dream Draft Target?

Who the Portland Trail Blazers pick on NBA Draft Night will depend on what teams 1-23 do, but they’ll have their options come selection No. 24. One option might be Cincinnati’s Jacob Evans, a 6-foot-6 wing known for his defense. It’s his defense that will best support the Blazers, as Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report names him Portland’s realistic dream target:

But so long as they continue building around a starting backcourt comprised of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, they’ll need to continue finding more pieces who are capable of engaging in positive work on the less glamorous end. Improved as the guards may be, the sustainability of their efforts rests on the backs of those who surround them in the lineup.

You don’t have to watch Jacob Evans long to realize what he can do in spite of his limited athletic tools.

The Cincinnati standout is a cerebral defender who understands how to diagnose and react to virtually every situation. Whether he’s rotating away from the primary action to help his teammates, mirroring his mark while assuming tough assignments or showing off his length on switches, he’s always capable of impacting the proceedings.

Evans averaged 13 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season with Cincinnati. You can read an extensive draft profile of him here.