What Players Should Portland Avoid in the NBA Draft?

The Portland Trail Blazers will put the No. 24 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft to use come Thursday night. Most who follow the draft have a set of needs for teams, and the Blazers could use a solid wing or strong defender at the guard position. Working off these needs, it’s not hard to point out players Portland should avoid.

Kelly Scaletta of Bleacher Report believes the Blazers should avoid Duke forward Gary Trent Jr., whose father played for Portland:

Gary Trent Jr. is more or less the exact opposite of what the Portland Trail Blazers need. While Damian Lillard improved his defense this year, Portland still does not have the perimeter stopper they need to go on a deep playoff run.

Trent is not going to be that guy. While his dad might have been great in the trenches, Jr. isn’t.

So why would Portland consider him at all? He has the makings of a great offensive player, and the Blazers may be looking to replace Shabazz Napier, who could leverage his improved season entering free agency.

Scaletta offers a player like Cincinnati’s Jacob Evans as the kind defensive-minded player Portland needs.

Who do you think Portland should avoid in the draft? Let us know in the comments.