Busting Brackets
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2017 NBA Draft: Live analysis and tracking rumors, picks, trades for the NBA Draft

By Lukas Harkins

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the podium and stage before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the podium and stage before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) and guard Damian Lillard (0) talk during a break in the action against the Golden State Warriors in the second half of game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) and guard Damian Lillard (0) talk during a break in the action against the Golden State Warriors in the second half of game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers

Record in 2016-17: 41-41 (8th in the Western Conference)

Draft picks: 10th overall, 26th overall

Jonathan Givony Projections: Frank Ntilikina (#15), OG Anunoby (#20), Harry Giles (#26)

Lukas Harkins Projections: Ike Anigbogu (#15), Ivan Rabb (#20), Terrance Ferguson (#26)

Draft Outlook: With Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum running the show in the backcourt, the Trail Blazers represent some of the best guards in the NBA. That being said, I feel like they need more help in the frontcourt. Jusuf Nukic is admittedly a solid center, but adding a young, high-upside big would be easily manageable in the middle of the first round. This could be any one of the following: Ike Anigbogu, Justin Patton, Jarrett Allen, Harry Giles, Bam Adebayo, etc. There are a lot of young bigs in this draft, but if they do not want to go that direction, someone who was projected to go in the lottery will likely fall to them at #15 if they want him, as Mr. Givony projects with Frank Ntilikina. But it does not stop there for the Blazers, who have three total first-round picks. Will one get traded?

#10 overall: PF/C Zach Collins, Gonzaga

A major upside pick here by the Portland Trail Blazers, Zach Collins is a player that can come in and play significant minutes for the Blazers due to their lack of depth in the frontcourt. He was a talented two-way player in college, but struggled with getting into foul trouble in just about every game. Collins projects well as a two-way scorer who can step out and make jump shots, but was it worth two first round picks? Grade: B-.

#26 overall: PF Caleb Swanigan, Purdue

Although a tweener forward that may or may not pan out in the NBA, this is definitely worth the risk. Swanigan has the ability to be a very nice NBA player, but he could also bust quickly. He has a relatively high floor, but his truly undefined position hurts him at the next level. Can he continue to rebound and shoot the three at a high level? Grade: A-.

To go back to the draft order/selections, click here.

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