Blazers Mock Draft Roundup No. 5: No Consensus With Draft Just Days Away

The 2018 NBA Draft is coming up this week, and there is still no consensus on whom the Portland Trail Blazers will pick with the No. 24 selection. Portland hosted what could be its final group of pre-draft workouts last week. Let’s see who draft experts around the basketball community have going to the Blazers at pick 24 after our fourth Mock Draft Roundup.

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report: Troy Brown (SG/SF, Oregon)

Still 18 years old, Brown didn’t put it all together during his lone season at Oregon. But his potential two-way versatility is a major draw. Brown has wing size, point-forward facilitating skills and the ability to guard multiple positions. Shooting could be the swing skill that determines Brown’s long-term value.

Gary Parrish, CBS Sports: Kevin Huerter (SG, Maryland)

Huerter, who was good at the combine, has reportedly also been really good in private workouts -- all of which made it sensible for the 6-6 shooter to leave Maryland after two seasons. He averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 34.4 minutes a game for a Maryland team that finished 39th at KenPom. But the key stat is that Huerter made 41.7 percent of the 5.5 3-pointers he took per contest. So he projects as a wing with size who can be a reliable threat from the perimeter. No, the hand injury he just suffered isn’t ideal. But there’s no real reason to think it’ll cost him much, if it all, on draft night.

Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated: De’Anthony Melton (G, USC)

The Blazers remain in need of a defensive-minded perimeter presence to complement their stars and should have some options in that regard at this spot. Melton is viewed as a first-round caliber talent and would fit that description cleanly. He’s best paired off the ball alongside a creative guard, with long arms, active hands and a knack for forcing mistakes on the defensive end. Melton has a good sense of how to play in transition, but isn’t very good at finding ways to score in the halfcourt right now. His jump shot was inconsistent at USC, but looks solid mechanically and isn’t viewed as a dealbreaker.

Sean Deveney, Sporting News: Mo Wagner (PF/C, Michigan)

The Blazers could use a frontcourt shooter who can create space for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Wagner has that capability. They could gamble on Dzanan Musa here, too, though Musa’s defensive reputation — it’s not good — might be a hindrance.

Michael Scotto, The Athletic (subscription required): Jerome Robinson (PG, Boston College)

Robinson established himself as one of the best scoring guards in the ACC averaging 20.7 points while shooting 49 percent from the field overall, 41 percent from 3-point range, and 83 percent from the foul line.

Trail Blazers backup point guard Shabazz Napier is eligible for a $3.45 million qualifying offer and restricted free agency this summer.

Tim Bontemps, The Washington Post: Jacob Evans (SF, Cincinnati)

Assuming Portland keeps Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, it needs help on the wing — and, in particular, shooting and defense. Enter Evans, who feels like a potential long-term version of Trevor Ariza, who has basically become the model for “three-and-D” players in today’s NBA.

The NBA Draft is Thursday, June 21. We’ll try to provide one more Mock Draft Roundup before Thursday if they’re available.