2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[Tim Lehrbach]

Starting to look like I won't research too many more players in any meaningful depth. The calendar is just not cooperating.

So here's where I am:

Cooper Flagg is a real deal #1. I expect day one, ROY/near all star impact. Nuff said.

Dylan Harper has a lot to prove after flailing about at Rutgers, but this is a guy who processes quickly and moves with that economy of force/acceleration you see rarely. Think Roy, SGA, Kawhi... guys who have that combination of body control and explosiveness tend to hit. His skills need to catch up, and he needs to mature as a lead guard -- make no mistake, there is bust potential. But I am seldom as confident in a high-risk, high-ceiling prospect as I am in Harper.

VJ Edgecombe is going to need to work on his shot and his handle, but he looks ready to detonate on to the scene with speed, tenacity, and filthy dunks/blocks/other big plays. Elite impact may be a few years in the making, but he's going to make a big impression and win over lots of fans. I like his skill level as much as Westbrook's when Russell entered the league, but that will sound like a huge stretch to some. I may have a blind spot to VJ, as I did for Scoot, simply because I find their games and demeanors so appealing.

Ace Bailey has no NBA role yet and doesn't project neatly into one. He is a tough shot taker more than a reliable shot maker. His defense is a concept. His playmaking was not iso- or pnr-worthy against crap competition. But he's got that pop and fluidity and length that almost always make a lottery pick. He is worth taking only after guys who you strongly believe have an NBA starter future are off the board. I would support Portland taking a wild swing on him if he drops, but I do not expect him to be a great NBA player unless an awful lot goes right for him. He is not a top prospect in most drafts, and even in this one, as I said, I don't see what distinguishes him from Will Riley or Liam McNeeley. Count this as my scouting reports on them, too: perfectly defensible picks if Portland wants to go in that direction, but they are so behind NBA players in skill refinement that it entirely possible not one among the three makes it in the league. I have no preference or ranking of these three.

Kon Knueppel is a multi-tool, functional NBA athlete who might grow even more into his frame and become an undersized NBA big rather than an NCAA super sized wing. I disagree with those who are stereotyping him or reducing him to a spot shooter or role player. Kon can do a little bit of everything physically, has elite instincts, and will earn a starting role if his defense comes along. He's going to be a good NBA player, and those not seeing upside are too attached to the prototype of the NBA super athlete or perhaps had unreasonable expectations for him to show out amongst an ensemble cast at Duke.

Egor Demin can't shoot, and there is just something off to me about how he looks in competition. I think his passing pops because of his size and in part because, as I've pointed out about others on strong college teams, too, he has the advantage of passing guys open who are athletic superiors to most of their opponents. I think his fundamentals are solid too, don't get me wrong, but his highlight reel doesn't leave my jaw on the floor at any standout wizardry the way it is supposed to. He's going to stick in the league but as a utility player who "busts" initially when tasked with too much offensive primacy.

Kasparas Jakucionis strikes me as a much better prospect than Demin. He looks the part of a floor general with more scoring upside. I don't think he stars in the NBA but I also think he's a safe bet to stick because he's not reducible to just one translatable skill. Lots to like in his "triple threat," like I've talked about before with other guys. I'd support drafting a player like him most years, for most teams, but for Portland in 2025 I favor the big swing, as I have repeated ad nauseum.

Like, but have not scouted much: Carter Bryant, Noa Essengue, Nique Clifford, Nolan Traore, Cedric Coward, Drake Powell, Hugo Gonzales. Portland could pick any of these guys (including a trade down for some) and I'd be satisfied albeit totally underinformed on them.

Do not like, but have not scouted much: Collin Murray-Boyles, Derik Queen, Jase Richardson, Rasheer Fleming.

Just didn't have the time or inclination to scout: everybody else. Can anybody tell me more about Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, or Asa Newell? Those three seem like guys I should want Portland to draft, but I haven't watched 'em.

My overall impression is that this class is weak. Most of those guys I "like" are long shots to be NBA starters, let alone stars. There are not enough high-potential guys to even fill the lottery. I am not seeing this great crop of second-tier prospects either. There are some solid future contributors in the mix but a lot of guys will not outperform low-cost veterans during their rookie deals and may never be worth the investment of a typical rookie extension or second contract. Then, like most successful draftees, they'll bounce around the league. Yes, this is expected of every draft class beyond the blue chippers, but the buzz lately is hyping up a wave of great talent beyond the headliners, and I'm not sold.

All that said, the Blazers need to keep adding talent, and there ARE things to like about several guys they'll have the opportunity to draft. Still excited for draft night!

[oldfishermen]

Liam is going to be a solid player and tested well at the combine

If Portland somehow managed to get pick 16 from the Magic in a Simons trade, he'd be my pick at 16 but
it would not be the end of the world if Portland took him at 11.

Funny that we're all thinking about Liam McNeeley recently.

My hot take of the draft season is that there is nothing meaningful separating Ace Bailey from Liam McNeeley or Will Riley. Each has some attractive attributes, including length and bounce, but high bust potential, IMO. All three should go late lottery to a team that needs to prioritize swinging for the fences, like Portland, but at least one, Ace, is going to get picked before guys who are much better bets. It would genuinely not surprise me to see these three ranked in any order for career value when it's all said and done.

Agreed on Ace being way overrated.

Ace being ranked in the top 4 of just about every mock draft is why I discount and question everything they post. Ace has more red flags than a parade in China.

But he may break two NBA records. 1) The biggest black hole in the history of the NBA. 2) And/or the worst assist to turnover ratio in NBA history. He managed 1.3 assists pg at Rutgers last season, while helping the opponents with 2 turnovers.

The good news is, Ace is trying to learn how to spell defense, but has no idea what that means.

[Walton1one]

As for Essengue, I am not as high on him as many people are. I watch video of him and while he has good size and incredible reach, he is kind of all arms right now. A lot of his scoring is finishing feeds from other players, when he drives to the rim too often he ends up throwing up wild attempts or using his long reach to shoot above\around smaller players, I just don't think that is going to work in the NBA when he is facing bigger defenders & players with elite athleticism. He is not going to get those calls (if he doesn't get stonewalled on a drive or blocked first) and I doubt many coaches are going to put up with undisciplined drives where he throws the ball at the rim

Scoring in transition or being an off ball finisher is fine and all, but again he has no offensive on ball skills, he is not a proven shooter, he is just a really young (18) energy wing right now with good size and bounce to his game.

Lots of video breakdown of Essengue here (good & bad), and comments from Vecenie & The Ringer about Essengue. I agree that his draft stock is all about his physical profile and potential down the road and not what he could bring to a team right away. In essence, he is a lottery ticket project

Physically, Essengue shows strong flashes of athleticism and can be a lob threat/target, but his lateral speed/burst is a concern. He moves more like a power forward/center than a small forward/power forward hybrid, and that’s an issue at his size. He’s got good length and physical tools, and he’s very young — turning 19 in mid-December, so he projects to be one of the youngest prospects in the draft.

Offensively, he’s just so limited right now. His main source of scoring comes from offensive rebounding, off-ball movement, and free throws and I don’t see all of these translating to the NBA right now — with the exception of his off-ball movement. His work with the ball and off the dribble is limited right now. Occasionally he’ll get to the rim, but it’s a bit clunky right now, and a tendency to commit offensive fouls on drives can be problematic.

In terms of his shooting, it’s raw. As a three-point shooter, Essengue hasn’t developed a touch for it yet, nor has he developed a jumper coming off the dribble — inside or outside. For a 6-foot-9 forward in the NBA, that is the bare minimum. Overall, while the scoring is efficient, it’s quite limited and there’s not a lot of versatility in offense.

In terms of Essengue’s playmaking, it just isn’t really a feature in his game right now, and that’s a shame that this is missing from Essengue’s arsenal offensively because with his limitation in offensive versatility, the ability to pass and create consistently for teammates would benefit his use on the court.

Defensively, Ulm played a lot of zone, so the ability to gauge more of Essengue as a one-on-one defender is a bit more difficult but there are concerns about lateral quickness, especially on switches. Essengue can be a bit undisciplined defensively and commit fouls/make lapses, but this is to be expected at this stage of his career defensively. His length helps him contest shots and contest for rebounds, on which he does a very good job to help secure possession with his length. His length can also help generate some steals, and turn defense into offense.

As for an NBA fit, I just don’t know how Essengue would stay on the court on offense, how he could contribute offensively outside of offensive rebounding (which is likely to not be as effective in the NBA as it was in Germany), what position he would play, or who he would guard defensively...these are all problems in isolation, let alone in tandem.

Overall, Noa Essengue, I think, needs more time overseas to develop if he is drafted in order to round out and polish his offensive game, to try to become a more willing passer, to improve his three-point shooting, to become a more disciplined defender, and lock down the backline if he’s to continue to play a zone defense.

Essengue is mocked this highly based on his physical tools and his potential down the road, rather than what he can add right now.

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2025/5/26/24433722/2025-nba-draft-scouting-report-noa-essengue-atlanta-hawks-prospect#:~:text=Physically%2C%20Essengue%20shows%20strong%20flashes,an%20issue%20at%20his%20size.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Funny that we're all thinking about Liam McNeeley recently.

My hot take of the draft season is that there is nothing meaningful separating Ace Bailey from Liam McNeeley or Will Riley. Each has some attractive attributes, including length and bounce, but high bust potential, IMO. All three should go late lottery to a team that needs to prioritize swinging for the fences, like Portland, but at least one, Ace, is going to get picked before guys who are much better bets. It would genuinely not surprise me to see these three ranked in any order for career value when it's all said and done.

Agreed on Ace being way overrated.

Ace being ranked in the top 4 of just about every mock draft is why I discount and question everything they post. Ace has more red flags than a parade in China.

But he may break two NBA records. 1) The biggest black hole in the history of the NBA. 2) And/or the worst assist to turnover ratio in NBA history. He managed 1.3 assists pg at Rutgers last season, while helping the opponents with 2 turnovers.

The good news is, Ace is trying to learn how to spell defense, but has no idea what that means.

Yep. I still think he is going to drop. He's worth drafting before a lot of the guys we talk about here just because of his athletic profile, but so many things need fixing for him to be a successful pro that it's hard to be optimistic.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I was on the fence about Essengue, but I ultimately went with "like." He is just so much more active and productive as a player already compared with most of his cohort adjusting to higher competition, which to me means a foundation on which he can continue to refine his skills and grow physically. There's a real platform for success there. I don't agree that he's merely an idea of a good basketball player. That is reserved for deep sleeper prospects, but he is showing us what he's got.

[Walton1one]

No Ceilings v8 Big Board:

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/2025-nba-draft-big-board-v8?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=536361&post_id=165163155&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1f5gb9&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

1-5 (all unchanged): Flagg, Harper, Bailey, Edgecombe, Knueppel

6 Tre Johnson (up 1)
7 Derik Queen (down 1)
8 Khaman Maluach
9 Carter Bryant (up 8)
10 Kaspara Jakucionis (down 1)
11 Jeremiah Fears (down 1)
12 Egor Demin
13 Nique Clifford
14 Collin Murray-Boyles (down 3)
15 Cedric Coiward (up 16)
16 Noa Essengue (up 5)
17 Rasheer Fleming (down 2)
18 Danny Wolf
19 Asa Newell (down 3)
20 Thomas Sorber (up 2)

Others of note:
Liam McNeeley @ #21
Jase Richardson @ #22
Nolan Traore @ #25
Will Riley @ #26

[BlazersBroncos]

As for Essengue, I am not as high on him as many people are. I watch video of him and while he has good size and incredible reach, he is kind of all arms right now. A lot of his scoring is finishing feeds from other players, when he drives to the rim too often he ends up throwing up wild attempts or using his long reach to shoot above\around smaller players, I just don't think that is going to work in the NBA when he is facing bigger defenders & players with elite athleticism. He is not going to get those calls (if he doesn't get stonewalled on a drive or blocked first) and I doubt many coaches are going to put up with undisciplined drives where he throws the ball at the rim

Scoring in transition or being an off ball finisher is fine and all, but again he has no offensive on ball skills, he is not a proven shooter, he is just a really young (18) energy wing right now with good size and bounce to his game.

Lots of video breakdown of Essengue here (good & bad), and comments from Vecenie & The Ringer about Essengue. I agree that his draft stock is all about his physical profile and potential down the road and not what he could bring to a team right away. In essence, he is a lottery ticket project

Physically, Essengue shows strong flashes of athleticism and can be a lob threat/target, but his lateral speed/burst is a concern. He moves more like a power forward/center than a small forward/power forward hybrid, and that’s an issue at his size. He’s got good length and physical tools, and he’s very young — turning 19 in mid-December, so he projects to be one of the youngest prospects in the draft.

Offensively, he’s just so limited right now. His main source of scoring comes from offensive rebounding, off-ball movement, and free throws and I don’t see all of these translating to the NBA right now — with the exception of his off-ball movement. His work with the ball and off the dribble is limited right now. Occasionally he’ll get to the rim, but it’s a bit clunky right now, and a tendency to commit offensive fouls on drives can be problematic.

In terms of his shooting, it’s raw. As a three-point shooter, Essengue hasn’t developed a touch for it yet, nor has he developed a jumper coming off the dribble — inside or outside. For a 6-foot-9 forward in the NBA, that is the bare minimum. Overall, while the scoring is efficient, it’s quite limited and there’s not a lot of versatility in offense.

In terms of Essengue’s playmaking, it just isn’t really a feature in his game right now, and that’s a shame that this is missing from Essengue’s arsenal offensively because with his limitation in offensive versatility, the ability to pass and create consistently for teammates would benefit his use on the court.

Defensively, Ulm played a lot of zone, so the ability to gauge more of Essengue as a one-on-one defender is a bit more difficult but there are concerns about lateral quickness, especially on switches. Essengue can be a bit undisciplined defensively and commit fouls/make lapses, but this is to be expected at this stage of his career defensively. His length helps him contest shots and contest for rebounds, on which he does a very good job to help secure possession with his length. His length can also help generate some steals, and turn defense into offense.

As for an NBA fit, I just don’t know how Essengue would stay on the court on offense, how he could contribute offensively outside of offensive rebounding (which is likely to not be as effective in the NBA as it was in Germany), what position he would play, or who he would guard defensively...these are all problems in isolation, let alone in tandem.

Overall, Noa Essengue, I think, needs more time overseas to develop if he is drafted in order to round out and polish his offensive game, to try to become a more willing passer, to improve his three-point shooting, to become a more disciplined defender, and lock down the backline if he’s to continue to play a zone defense.

Essengue is mocked this highly based on his physical tools and his potential down the road, rather than what he can add right now.

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2025/5/26/24433722/2025-nba-draft-scouting-report-noa-essengue-atlanta-hawks-prospect#:~:text=Physically%2C%20Essengue%20shows%20strong%20flashes,an%20issue%20at%20his%20size.

This team needs guys that have big potential down the road. Adding another guy that projects as a high caliber role player like Carter Bryant isnt moving the needle. We are desperately lacking blue chip talent and Noa is, arguably, a physical unicorn. He is a similar height and weight to Anthony Davis at the same age, more filled out than Giannis at the same age as well. His shot is workable, its not like he is CMB bad. He is an elite 2 foot jumper for his size, moves in the open court like a SG and I dont buy the idea he is struggling for lateral quickness (He has great lateral quickness for his size IMO).

To each his own, but I want a big swing. Noa is just that. If he flames out, whatever - at least we took a shot at a needle mover rather than using the pick on a 7th man.

[Walton1one]

I think Bryant's potential is as good or better than Essengue, and he can play in a rotation right away, not sure Essengue can. I don't see either player as a "star" caliber player though, but if it were to happen I would bet on Bryant...

I'd take Traore over Essengue TBH, plays in a tougher league, more farther along, dominated in junior ranks, former top 5 prospect

Certainly could be wrong, have been before, but I'd rather bet on a guy who has a definable skill now and has potential than one with just potential.

I liked Salaun a lot LY and was ok with POR taking him, but if he ends up as a good\better NBA player it is clearly going to take some time, rather not make that same mistake when I watch Essengue

[Walton1one]

Traore clips from No Ceilings

Read on Twitter

[Norm2953]

I think Bryant's potential is as good or better than Essengue, and he can play in a rotation right away, not sure Essengue can. I don't see either player as a "star" caliber player though, but if it were to happen I would bet on Bryant...

I'd take Traore over Essengue TBH, plays in a tougher league, more farther along, dominated in junior ranks, former top 5 prospect

Certainly could be wrong, have been before, but I'd rather bet on a guy who has a definable skill now and has potential than one with just potential.

I liked Salaun a lot LY and was ok with POR taking him, but if he ends up as a good\better NBA player it is clearly going to take some time, rather not make that same mistake when I watch Essengue

Do you agree with Bucknuts player evaluations over on the Mock Drafts board?

Interesting to read all the differences of opinions on the players in the 2025 draft after Flagg and Harper.

This is a draft where the players taken after the top 5 can literally go in any order. Fortunately for Portland, Bucknuts
has 11 players valued as an NBA starter.

[tester551]

I think Bryant's potential is as good or better than Essengue, and he can play in a rotation right away, not sure Essengue can. I don't see either player as a "star" caliber player though, but if it were to happen I would bet on Bryant...

I'd take Traore over Essengue TBH, plays in a tougher league, more farther along, dominated in junior ranks, former top 5 prospect

Certainly could be wrong, have been before, but I'd rather bet on a guy who has a definable skill now and has potential than one with just potential.

I liked Salaun a lot LY and was ok with POR taking him, but if he ends up as a good\better NBA player it is clearly going to take some time, rather not make that same mistake when I watch Essengue

Do you agree with Bucknuts player evaluations over on the Mock Drafts board?

Interesting to read all the differences of opinions on the players in the 2025 draft after Flagg and Harper.

This is a draft where the players taken after the top 5 can literally go in any order. Fortunately for Portland, Bucknuts
has 11 players valued as an NBA starter.

I'm assuming you're referring to this post: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2461978

[oldfishermen]

IF, the Blazers can pick up a late first round pick. A little talked about player to consider is Ryan Kalkbrenner.

A 7'1" center that would be a good backup to Clingan.

Ryan is a senior with proven skills of rebounding, blocking shots, protecting the paint and rim, while making a positive impact on offense. His outside shooting needs work, but he is not a bad shooter.

With a salary of $2 to $3 million, he would provide long term low cost value depth for the Blazers. So we can let Ayton walk, if not traded.

[Walton1one]

Noa essengue - moves like jaden mcdaniels but plays like nic batum
…. 9-3 standing reach…6-10 player with mobility. "prettiest" player to watch move award. More fluid then a nick batum comp could ever be. …..This guy moves so incredible that if feels like any improvement and you have something. And it feels like the odds are he is going to improve. 2nd youngest player behind flag. Dad is reportedly a coach. His jumper does not look broken. He's attempted some turn around fadeaways with solid footwork that don't look horrible. The big question is how much does he improve - I don't think he is going to get hulk strength and explosion like giannis. My sense is most likely outcome is similar to his style of game now - an off ball cutter and overall athlete with length. As someone whos biggest attribute is paint scores I think his narrow shoulder is going to limit his ceiling.…but has nice touch around basket some underneath stuff to offset it some. A guy that moves like mcdaniels still has some promise.

I mean, will he improve? I would certainly think so. Again though, is this a player who (if things work out well) ends up a good player going into\on his 2nd contract? Probably IMO. I don't see a star player here, he mentions McDaniels, I think that would be a great outcome for him, not sure he has the defensive tools, but maybe the shooting (McDaniels is 35% career, could Essengue get there? Maybe)?

I don't think he is as fluid as Batum & I question if he could guard 2/3 at NBA level.

Most scouts disagree about the jumper & have said the base is not good & needs a lot of work. The turn around fadeaways I have seen did not look good at all, he has some really bad misses, again most of his points are coming in the paint\rim or at the FT line right now, no on-ball whatsoever except charging into the paint drawing contact and throwing the ball at the rim, or using his long reach to flip shots around smaller\less athletic players, that will not fly in the NBA IMO.

I would agree, I don't think he will bulk up like Giannis. A lot of scouts have mentioned that physically he has a high center of gravity which could hinder him, but maybe his long arms can offset that?

So you are talking about a player who needs to get stronger physically, needs to shoot better, needs to work on his handle, has really good reach with those long arms, has good size, good energy\plays hard\not afraid of contact but w\o any Day 1 skill he brings to an NBA team, that is the definition of a project, kind of like Rupert is, different players\different skills, but the potential is there, it is just going to take several years to see if reality can meet potential.

A high-motor forward, Essengue blends athleticism with defensive versatility, and his steadily improving offensive game suggests significant potential." — Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst

I am not a scout, just an avid fan, so I like to read\watch multiple scouting reports and then watch film of a player and ask myself if I see what those scouts are saying and try not to (and it can be hard) not to let my own bias enter the fray, which is impossible

Are several scouts noticing\saying the same things? A chance one scout could be right, sure, multiple, less likely IMO.

The quote above mirrors what almost every scouting report mentions about Essengue, potential. So he looks like a player, he has tools like a player, but the NBA skill level is not there. Essentially a project, I hate to say lottery ticket, b\c IMO that means he has All-Star potential and I am not sure I see that with him (or a lot of players in this draft TBH).

Here is a video of O'Connor & Tulaba(No Ceilings) talking about Essengue (30:26 mark). A lot of talk..about...potential

Watch on YouTube

Here is from Sam Vecenie (starting @ 28:30) & again Biggest fallers\risers @ 1:00:50

BTW, good info on McNeeley @ 41:10 & Bryant\Coward 53:30

Watch on YouTube

[cheesehoff]

DEFENSIVE, HIGH-IQ SHARPSHOOTERS: CEDRIC COWARD & WALTER CLAYTON JR. AS PORTLAND’S HIDDEN DRAFT GEMS

Thesis
The Portland Trail Blazers are pivoting toward a new identity built on defense, shooting, and high-IQ team play – and two under-the-radar 2025 draft prospects, Cedric Coward and Walter Clayton Jr., could perfectly embody that vision. Both players offer significant upside and immediate value relative to their likely draft range, making them ideal targets if Portland acquires an extra first-round pick (via an Anfernee Simons trade or otherwise). Cedric Coward is a long, versatile 3-and-D wing who fills up the stat sheet and plays with savvy off-ball instincts, while Walter Clayton Jr. is a championship-tested combo guard with lethal shooting and mature floor leadership. This deep-dive will compare each to current/past NBA players, evaluate their strengths (shooting, defense, versatility, IQ, readiness), and analyze how each would fit into Portland’s roster and long-term plans. For a Blazers team rebuilding around young talent, these two prospects could represent tremendous value – potential “steals” who address glaring weaknesses in the current rotation and elevate the franchise’s defensive and shooting culture.

Cedric Coward– A Versatile 3-and-D Wing with Upside and NBA Readiness
Cedric Coward brings a tantalizing combination of length, defensive playmaking, and efficient shooting that could make him a cornerstone role player for Portland’s rebuild. Physically, Coward is exceptional: at 6’6” with a 7’2” wingspan and nine-inch hands, his measurements aren’t far off from Kawhi Leonard’s famed profile. At the NBA Draft Combine he turned heads by posting a 38.5-inch vertical (9th-best) and draining 72 of 103 three-pointers (69.9 %) in drills – eye-popping indicators of his athleticism and shooting touch. In fact, one scout noted Coward’s pre-draft rise has been reminiscent of Jalen Williams’ meteoric climb in 2022; after impressing teams, Coward vaulted from a fringe name to a possible late-lottery pick in some projections. For a player who began his college career at the Division III level, this rapid ascent underscores just how unique his tools and impact are.

Shooting and Offense: Offensively, Coward profiles as a high-efficiency, low-usage floor spacer – exactly the kind of complementary shooter the Blazers need on the wing. Across three collegiate seasons (two at Eastern Washington and a brief senior stint at Washington State), he’s a career 38.8 % three-point shooter. In the six games before his injury at WSU, he averaged 17.7 points on 40.0 % from deep and 83.9 % from the line, suggesting his hot shooting was no fluke. Synergy data confirms Coward’s elite marksmanship: he scored 1.129 points per possession on catch-and-shoot opportunities and hit spot-up threes at a terrific clip. Importantly, he doesn’t just hit stand-still shots – he knows how to get open for them. Coward has a knack for relocating and cutting at the right moments (a staggering 1.692 PPP on cuts), showing off high basketball IQ and timing off the ball. It’s easy to imagine Damian Lillard (in past years) or now Scoot Henderson driving and kicking to Coward, who instinctively drifts into the open corner for a dagger three. Even in a tiny sample, Coward’s overall offensive efficiency was outrageous – 1.161 PPP, ranking in the 97th percentile nationally. He posted a true-shooting percentage around 70 % and a BPM of 8.8 in those six games, putting him in rare company (one of just twenty players to hit that 8.0 + BPM, 65 % + TS benchmark).

While he’s not a primary creator off the dribble (Coward readily admits his handle is a work in progress), he has shown flashes of playmaking ability and multi-level scoring. He averaged 3.7 assists in his brief senior year, often making the extra pass within the flow of the offense. Coward even graded in the 100th percentile on post-up possessions (albeit low volume), showing he can punish smaller defenders inside with his strength and 213-lb frame. His shooting mechanics are smooth and repeatable, with a quick release (if a minor hitch) that he’s comfortable getting off against contests. And thanks to his length, he can elevate over closeouts – that 7’2” wingspan gives him separation on step-backs and pull-ups that recall a young Trevor Ariza or OG Anunoby type of wing shooter. As a three-level scorer, Coward has flashed a confident mid-range game and even some ferocity at the rim (65.6 % finishing at the basket in those games).

The caveat is sample size – we only have a handful of D-1 games post-transfer – but he was similarly efficient in the Big Sky before moving up. The consistency of his shooting across levels, and even in the combine setting, suggests his touch is very much real.

Defense and Versatility: With his height and extraordinary 7’2¼” wingspan, Coward projects as a multi-positional defender capable of guarding 2s, 3s, and many 4s. He has the lateral quickness and footwork to check wings on the perimeter, and his length makes him disruptive when closing out or contesting shots. Coward was a menace on help defense in college – he averaged 1.7 blocks per game (in just 28 minutes) as a wing, often swooping in as a weak-side rim protector. That block rate is virtually unheard of for a 6’6” player; it speaks to his timing and instincts. Scouts have noted that Coward is a strong point-of-attack defender as well, using his reach and timing to bother ball-handlers. He gets low in his stance and has shown he can stay in front of quicker guards, though truly elite NBA guards might still be a challenge until he gains more experience. Coward’s defensive versatility is precisely what shines in modern NBA playoffs – long, athletic wings who can shrink the floor, guard multiple spots, and recover to block shots are worth their weight in gold. Watch him on tape, and you’ll see a player who takes real pride in defense, often clapping his hands or getting visibly amped after a stop.

It’s important to acknowledge that Coward is not a finished product. Because of the shoulder injury that cut short his senior season, he only has a small sample against high-major competition. There will be a learning curve adjusting to NBA speed and complexity – for instance, he can sometimes lose sight of his man when ball-watching off-ball, a common young-player mistake. And while his lateral agility is solid, very shifty guards could exploit him on switches (his foot speed is described as just average against elite quickness). These are fixable issues with coaching and experience. The Blazers would likely love his motor and coachability; by all accounts Coward is a hard worker who improved rapidly each year. Remember, this is a player who went from D-III, to Big Sky All-Conference, to making an impact at a Power-6 school – all in a span of four years. That speaks to a high basketball IQ and adaptability. Portland’s development staff can iron out his off-ball lapses and add strength to his frame (he’s 213 lbs, but could get even stronger to handle NBA forwards).

If he hits his potential, Coward could become a similar player to Robert Covington in his prime – a rangy forward who can guard three or four positions, block shots, and knock down threes at a high clip. Some even see shades of OG Anunoby or Jalen Williams in him, given his all-around stat profile and rapid improvement.

Fit in Portland & Role: Portland finally has two elite stoppers on the roster—Toumani Camara just made All-Defensive Second Team and Matisse Thybulle is a two-time All-Defense selection—but both become easier to play when they’re flanked by another wing who can shoot. Enter Coward: a legit 6'6" with a 7'2" reach who can guard 2-through-4 without cramping the offense. Picture a closing group of Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Coward, Camara and Jerami Grant (or Thybulle in a defense-first look): five athletes, all 6-3 to 6-9, switching everything while still keeping three credible spot-up threats on the floor. Coward’s point-of-attack chops let Scoot and Sharpe conserve energy, his weak-side help covers youthful mistakes, and offensively he thrives as a low-usage sniper and timely cutter—perfect glue between the stars and the stoppers.

Coward is comfortable without the ball – an important trait next to ball-dominant guards. He led his teams in offensive rating in college by doing the little things: cutting back-door, crashing for put-backs, making the extra pass. Portland’s offense, which too often stagnated when Lillard or Simons got trapped, could benefit from Coward’s intuitive movement and quick decision-making.

Walter Clayton Jr. – A Sharpshooting Combo Guard with Championship Pedigree
If Coward represents defensive versatility, Walter Clayton Jr. represents offensive poise and shooting – with a winner’s mentality that any rebuilding team should covet. Clayton is a 6’3” combo guard who just capped off a stellar college career by leading the Florida Gators to the 2025 NCAA National Championship as their senior floor general. He was the breakout star of March Madness: the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, a consensus First-Team All-American, and the unquestioned leader of a title team.

Clayton averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in his senior year, while shooting 44.8 % from the field, 38.6 % from three, and 87.5 % from the line. Those shooting splits are elite, and he maintained that efficiency on high volume, hitting 117 threes in 39 games.

Shooting and Scoring: Clayton’s calling card is his shooting ability, particularly from deep. He’s a high-volume 3-point gunner (over 7 attempts per game) who connects at a strong percentage and ranks among the best shooters in the class in spot-ups and off-screen actions. Whether catching-and-shooting or pulling up off the dribble (around 37 % on off-dribble threes), Clayton is comfortable from all angles. He has deep range and isn’t afraid to let it fly – he famously opened the Final Four with a logo three as his first shot. His release is compact and balanced; some scouts have compared his form to Devin Booker’s early mechanics at Kentucky. Clayton’s free-throw percentage above 87 % underscores that his touch is real.

He isn’t just a stationary shooter; he has a tight handle and uses pace changes to get defenders off balance. He posted 1.297 PPP in isolation (97th percentile) and ranked in the 74th percentile as a pick-and-roll ball-handler. At 6’3” and 195 lbs, he’s strong, patient, and knows how to snake into gaps. He finishes creatively at the rim (over 60 % in half-court attempts) and is lethal in transition (1.45 PPP). Clayton’s “clutch gene” showed throughout the NCAA tournament, with multiple 30-point games and deep-range daggers under pressure.

Playmaking and IQ: Clayton averaged 4.2 assists and ran an efficient offense with a 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio. He keeps his head up, finds shooters on skip passes, and can run sets when Scoot rests. Off the ball, he relocates intelligently and cuts back-door when defenders over-play. Clayton is a film-room junkie: at 22, he already plays at a pro tempo, manipulating pace and clock.

Defense and Weaknesses: Clayton competes defensively, leveraging strong hips to fight through screens and quick hands to generate steals. His main issues are consistency and physical ceiling: at 6’3” with average length, he’ll never stonewall wings and can occasionally lose focus. He tends to gamble for steals, and shifty guards can shake him. NBA opponents will likely hunt him in switches. The question is whether his shot-making outweighs the defensive limitations – many scouts believe it will, especially if he becomes an average team defender.

Fit in Portland & Role: Clayton is the ideal sixth man if Simons is moved. He spaces for Scoot, runs the second unit, and provides microwave scoring. In lineups with Henderson (currently a non-shooter), Clayton’s gravity keeps defenses honest. He brings leadership and “championship DNA” to a young locker room. Portland has long needed a bench creator who can hit threes; Clayton checks that box from day one.

How Coward and Clayton Jr. Address Portland’s Needs

Defensive Identity – Coward gives Portland another long wing who can lock down stars without being a zero on offense. Clayton buys into scheme defense and competes; together they signal a shift toward accountability and two-way versatility.

Three-Point Shooting & Spacing – Coward’s 40 % catch-and-shoot and Clayton’s 39 % pull-up range instantly raise the Blazers’ team percentage and force defenses to respect the arc, opening lanes for Scoot and Sharpe.

Basketball IQ & Flow – Both prospects excel at the subtleties that keep an offense humming: quick decisions, smart cuts, extra passes. They reduce stagnation and complement Portland’s young creation engines.

Value & Upside – Coward could be a late-lottery steal with a high floor as a 3-and-D wing; Clayton projects as a plug-and-play shooter/creator in the 15-25 range. Landing two ready-made contributors on rookie deals maximizes small-market assets and raises the rotation’s baseline immediately.

Draft / Trade Blueprint
Use pick 11 on whichever target is still on the board (Coward if available; Clayton if Coward goes top ten).

Flip Anfernee Simons for an additional pick in the mid-late first and draft the other prospect.

If one slips into the 20s, consider trading down or adding a future second to secure both.

What the roster lacks is depth and two-way balance behind those two. Camara and Thybulle can blanket stars, but opponents ignore them if either is cold from three. That’s where Coward and Clayton change the calculus:

Line-up flexibility:

All-Defense units: Sharpe–Coward–Camara–Thybulle–Clingan (switch-everything length)

Floor-spacing punch: Scoot–Clayton Jr.–Sharpe–Deni–Ayton (four 38 %+ shooters around a roller)

Closing five: Scoot | Sharpe | Coward | Camara | Clingan — three wings with 7-foot arms plus rim protection.

In other words, Coward and Clayton don’t push Camara or Thybulle out of the picture; they unlock lineups where Portland no longer sacrifices offense to keep its best defenders on the floor. That’s the missing step from “fun rebuild” to a team that can survive playoff-style scouting.

Defensive length snapshot

Camara 7-1 wingspan

Sharpe 7-0

Scoot 6-10

Coward 7-2

Thybulle 7-1

Rupert 7-3

Deni 6-10

RW 7-6

Grant 7'3

Ayton 7-5

Clingan 7-7

Pair any two of those wings with Clingan or Williams and you have switch-everywhere schemes few teams can replicate.

Conclusion – Building the New Blazers Identity
In a post-Lillard world, Portland wants to win with defense, unselfish play and efficient shooting. Cedric Coward and Walter Clayton Jr. embody that formula. Coward supplies the switchable wing defense and timely shooting Rip City has lacked; Clayton brings the clutch shot-making and steady hand off the bench. Together they could become the kind of blue-collar, high-character pillars that accelerate a rebuild and turn the Blazers into a modern, two-way threat. Land both, and in a few years we may look back at the 2025 draft as the moment Portland’s rise truly began.

I have been campaigning for this draft on a different forum. If Coward moves into the top 10 then I like Bryant or Clifford, although #11 is high for Clifford. Clayton gives the team a true backup PG that shoots well and is tough, something I think has been missing for a while.
Love your write-up

[Norm2953]

I think Bryant's potential is as good or better than Essengue, and he can play in a rotation right away, not sure Essengue can. I don't see either player as a "star" caliber player though, but if it were to happen I would bet on Bryant...

I'd take Traore over Essengue TBH, plays in a tougher league, more farther along, dominated in junior ranks, former top 5 prospect

Certainly could be wrong, have been before, but I'd rather bet on a guy who has a definable skill now and has potential than one with just potential.

I liked Salaun a lot LY and was ok with POR taking him, but if he ends up as a good\better NBA player it is clearly going to take some time, rather not make that same mistake when I watch Essengue

Do you agree with Bucknuts player evaluations over on the Mock Drafts board?

Interesting to read all the differences of opinions on the players in the 2025 draft after Flagg and Harper.

This is a draft where the players taken after the top 5 can literally go in any order. Fortunately for Portland, Bucknuts
has 11 players valued as an NBA starter.

I'm assuming you're referring to this post: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=2461978

I am.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Essengue is definitely a project. But I think Bryant is also a bit of a project, right now I think would have trouble beating Kris Murray for minutes. I would be happy with either, but I still think Essengue's size and ability to draw fouls might give him a higher ceiling on offense and I think if he ends up as a McDaniels type player that isn't a horrible result of taking a swing. But if neither ends up being a star I think Bryant is likely to be the better role playing with his shooting and defense. Honestly with both of them having a ton of tools I would probably make the decision based on interviews and who I think has the more competitive mentality, if anything holds them back its going to be upstairs.

[cheesehoff]

In defense of McNeeley and his down year and subsequent fall in rankings, some of that blame goes on the situation at UConn and the role he was forced into. After an injury to their PG, McNeeley became their offensive facilitator by default. The success he did have is pretty amazing considering it was the first time he had to fill that role and it happened to be for the defending national champs.
If you look at his tape from HS (he was on one of the most talented HS teams ever) he was their third or fourth option. He thrived because of that role and I think will have similar success in the league if he is not relied upon to facilitate. That might change in a couple years ala Deni. He is a very good shooter with few holes in his game and I expect he'll have more success in the league than he did in a new, difficult college situation. (I like him more than Kon)

[DusterBuster]

I'm having a hard time really caring who they take at 11 tbh. Kinda just feels like a crapshoot, just hoping for not a bust.

[Pattycakes]

I'm having a hard time really caring who they take at 11 tbh. Kinda just feels like a crapshoot, just hoping for not a bust.

It’s hard to bust at the 11 slot with a really solid drafting/scouting franchise. Relax

[BlazersBroncos]

In defense of McNeeley and his down year and subsequent fall in rankings, some of that blame goes on the situation at UConn and the role he was forced into. After an injury to their PG, McNeeley became their offensive facilitator by default. The success he did have is pretty amazing considering it was the first time he had to fill that role and it happened to be for the defending national champs.
If you look at his tape from HS (he was on one of the most talented HS teams ever) he was their third or fourth option. He thrived because of that role and I think will have similar success in the league if he is not relied upon to facilitate. That might change in a couple years ala Deni. He is a very good shooter with few holes in his game and I expect he'll have more success in the league than he did in a new, difficult college situation. (I like him more than Kon)

Liam is interesting because he is touted as a shooter but going back to HS even he was just really good, not great. As a Senior he shot 50/44/74 in 24 games for Montverde and 43/37/84 in 17 EYBL. Kon shot something like 40% in HS and 48% in EYBL + unreal FT%.

I think both will be good 4th or 5th starter types. Liam is a ton like Kispert (Coincidentally - both Liam and Cory posted great max verts but dont seem as functionally explosive on the floor), see Kon more like a Hornacek (If everything breaks in his favor) in that he possesses an unreal feel for the game. That being said, Jeff had a workable 34.5" vertical. Kon almost certainly faked an injury after height measurements to avoid the athletic testing. That is a huge red flag to me. If Kon comes even close to the career metrics of Jeff he will be a Top-5 or higher guy from this draft (Jeff was WS48 0.154 +2.3 OBPM +0.6 DBPM).