B/R Proposes Draft Night Trade for Blazers to Get a Top-10 Pick

The Portland Trail Blazers will have two picks at their disposal come NBA Draft Night 2020, possessing a selection in the first round (pick No. 16) and second round (pick No. 46). Being in the middle of the draft board means Portland will have to wait and see if their top prospect falls to them. However, the Blazers could attempt to trade up on draft night if there’s a player they have their eye on, like they did in 2017 to land Zach Collins.

In his latest mock draft, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman proposed a deal between Portland and the Detroit Pistons to land the Blazers the No. 7 overall pick. This hypothetical involves Portland’s picks and young guard Anfernee Simons to move up to select Auburn forward Isaac Okoro:

Portland Trail Blazers receive: No. 7

Detroit Pistons receive: No. 16, No. 46, Anfernee Simons

The Blazers could use a defensive wing/forward, and Isaac Okoro could be the top option in the draft.

Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr.’s emergence in the bubble should help make Anfernee Simons more expendable. Simons would hold more value to a Pistons team that lacks scoring firepower and ball-handlers.

Okoro projects as a fit for Portland with his comfort level and efficiency scoring off the ball. He can immediately contribute to Portland with his powerful frame, which he uses for attacking and locking down positions 2-4.

Okoro averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds during his lone season with the Tigers. You can read an extensive draft profile on his game here.

Simons came into the 2019-20 season with a heightened role, but he largely struggled to make an impact each night. He averaged 8.3 points and 1.4 assists in 20.7 minutes per game this season.

Do you like this trade for the Blazers? Would Detroit be interested in Wasserman’s proposed deal? Let us know in the comments.