2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[DusterBuster]

Carter Bryant has the look of a dude who's going to go way higher than people expect, maybe even before Portland picks in the 8-10 range. Feel like a classic pre-draft riser.

Some lottery team will hope they're getting the next Daniels or Camara with him.

[Walton1one]

Carter Bryant has the look of a dude who's going to go way higher than people expect, maybe even before Portland picks in the 8-10 range. Feel like a classic pre-draft riser.

Some lottery team will hope they're getting the next Daniels or Camara with him.

I agree, just hope one of Bryant\Demin\Jakucionis are there for POR @ #11, but it is starting to look a little iffy. A lot will depend on where Queen\Maluach & Fears go, and there usually is always a surprise, a guy like Essengue, Coward & Sorber could fit that description. Then you have CMB, he figures in there somewhere, not sure where, kind of anywhere from #5 to #15

NBA consensus mock

https://www.nba.com/news/2025-consensus-mock-draft

Evaluations appear consistent, as 10 players appear in the lottery on all 10 mocks we surveyed: Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, Jeremiah Fears, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel, Derik Queen and Kasparas Jakucionis. Collin Murray-Boyles just misses with eight.

There’s yet another French player getting lottery looks: Ratiopharm Ulm forward Noa Essengue currently claims No. 13, with Nolan Traore potentially joining him as a riser from Le République.

One sentence descriptions on each prospect:

3 EDGECOMBE -

Rising international star for the Bahamas is an athletic marvel whose upside is only limited by his development.

4 BAILEY -

Knockdown shooter needs to avoid narrowing options to his own. Adding the strength to bang could compensate for cold spells.

5 JOHNSON -

A clutch performer whose scoring punch is unquestioned, his upside banks on belief in vision and defense.

6 KNUEPPEL -

Shooters gonna shoot, and it helps when they’re also making high-level decisions in the pick-and-roll.

7 FEARS -

A youngster who sports handles and quicks for days. His future as an offensive fulcrum or solid fit puzzle piece seems in the eye of the beholder.

8 MALUACH -

Long, mobile and already a defensive deterrent. If the offense elevates beyond rim-rolling, opponents could be in trouble.

9 QUEEN -

Skilled and gifted with the ball in his hands, offense won’t ever be the issue if he’s given the reps to take the keys.

10 JAKUCIONIS -

Dimes will be dropped, with the accuracy of his 3-pointer ultimately determining how much space he’ll have to operate.

11 MURRAY-BOYLES -

A stout defender who will need the size to play up (and the shot to fall) for his full potential to be achieved.

12 BRYANT -

The defense is there, but low usage leaves many questions about his offensive profile

.
13 ESSENGUE-

The Draft’s second-youngest prospect, and a raw offensive product who projects a 3-and-D floor.

14 DEMIN -

Huge guard is ready to dish ’em out. But will his turnovers and developing shot scare off suitors?

[tester551]

Saluan averaged 9 - 4- 1 & shot 37/33 for Cholet in a tough French league (LNB Elite) and he struggled in his 1st year in the NBA

Essengue averaged 12.4 - 5.3 - 1.1 & shot 56/29 for Ulm (BKT Eurocup) which is a step down from LNB Elite.

Are you sure about that???

I thought the Eurocup was a tad higher level than LNB. Both are a step down from EuroLeague...
I guess a lot of it is very subjective.

Regardless, I get why people are comparing Saluan to Essengue -> but I don't think that is an apt comparison. Noa is a far superior prospect IMO. The Saluan comparison should be Noah Penda.

https://tankathon.com/players/compare?players=noa-essengue--noah-penda--tidjane-salaun

[Walton1one]

Saluan averaged 9 - 4- 1 & shot 37/33 for Cholet in a tough French league (LNB Elite) and he struggled in his 1st year in the NBA

Essengue averaged 12.4 - 5.3 - 1.1 & shot 56/29 for Ulm (BKT Eurocup) which is a step down from LNB Elite.

Are you sure about that???

I thought the Eurocup was a tad higher level than LNB. Both are a step down from EuroLeague...
I guess a lot of it is very subjective.

Regardless, I get why people are comparing Saluan to Essengue -> but I don't think that is an apt comparison. Noa is a far superior prospect IMO. The Saluan comparison should be Noah Penda.

https://tankathon.com/players/compare?players=noa-essengue--noah-penda--tidjane-salaun

Euroleague is the best league, but that league is a conglomerate of the best teams from other leagues, LNB elite has (3) teams in that league (Paris, Monaco & Lyon\LDLC). I don't think BKT Eurocup team has any right now, although a couple of teams qualified for the league in 2025?

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv wrote the greatest chapter in its club history by defeating Dreamland Gran Canaria 94-103 to clinch the 2024-25 BKT EuroCup title – the first pan-European crown for its trophy case – and a ticket to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.

In EuroLeague, teams are primarily selected based on their performance in national or regional leagues and the EuroCup. A significant number of spots are filled by top teams from leading European basketball countries. The EuroLeague also has a system of wildcards and annual licenses for certain teams.

EuroCup: The two finalists of the EuroCup (the second-tier European competition) automatically qualify for the EuroLeague.

[Walton1one]

Interestingly, Givony & O'Connor were talking about the draft and he brought up a point about Hugo Gonzalez (@ 18mim mark), who is languishing on the bench for Real Madrid in the Euroleague and that if he were on Ratiopharm Ulm he would be in the conversation for the lottery

Watch on YouTube

Some other notes from Givony:

Best Shooter - Kon Knueppel
Highest Defensive Upside - Khaman Maluach
Biggest Red Flag (concern was how Givony rephrased it) - Derik Queen (concerned about his motor\conditioning)
Non Lottery pick most likely to end up best in class - Carter Bryant (could end up going in lottery though)
Who do the Bulls take - Blow it up, lol. Next years' class has 3-4+ Flagg's

[Walton1one]

Demin had 14 interviews at the combine, one of the longest was POR

That is the first player I have heard had an interview with POR (I am sure there are others) - They mentioned HOU\ATL\BRK\MIA & SA as well

Not sure what they mean by featuring contract terminology?

Read on Twitter

/history

[Dame Lizard]

Schmitz falls in love with players and doesn't hide it well. I think Demin is 100% his guy. If he falls to us he's a Blazer. Nique is still top of my board here, but I wouldn't be mad at Demin. Thinking about Deni and him on the floor, both 6'9 playmakers, that could be an interesting team. A line up of Demin,Camara,Deni,Yaxel,Clingan would be wild. We would be very entertained by that group.

Read on Twitter

Yaxel is going to be a player in this league. 6'10, 7'4 wingspan, all around game with little to no flaws.

Read on Twitter

I don't watch college ball, but Demin's shooting percentages are really gross.

And his assist to turnover ratio isn't good either. I'm passing.

[Case2012]

With what he’s shown in Chicago, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he goes top 10. I could see him landing in Washington, Houston, or even Charlotte. And as for Portland — Mike Schmitz might be in our front office now, but we all know where he came from. You can always get a feel for who he’s high on based on how much DraftExpress covers certain guys year to year. I’m convinced that if he’s on the board at 11, that’s Schmitz’s pick.

Personally, there are 4–5 players I’m really high on around that range, and I’d be happy with any one of them at 11 — not in any specific order:

Clifford, Lendeborg, Demin, Coward, Wolf

If we can grab an extra pick later in the first and land Walter Clayton Jr. at the back end, then any combo of two from that group would be a win to me.

There are a few other names I’d be fine with if they fall — Queen, Jakucionis, or even CMB — but I wouldn’t be overly thrilled. More like “okay, let’s see how it plays out.”

The guys I’m not sold on are Bryant, Essengue, and Newell, for different reasons, whether it’s feel, fit, or decision-making. Just don’t see it.

What draws me to the guys I do like is they all have that “Swiss Army knife” style — they’re versatile, can guard multiple positions, and they all show playmaking upside. I get that scoring is important and I hear BB’s concerns there but Portland’s best basketball this past year came from transition team play, not iso-heavy, step-back offense from Simons or Grant.

I’m looking for guys who make the right read at speed, guys who can hit that simple pass in transition without having to dominate the ball. I played point guard growing up — never did anything serious with it — but I modeled my game after Rondo, Magic, Bird… not for scoring, but for those “how did he see that?!” dimes that make a gym gasp. And honestly, we haven’t had a guy like that in Portland since maybe Rod Strickland.

There are a few players in this draft that give me that same feeling and I’d love to finally have one of them in a Blazers jersey.

Read on Twitter

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=NoCeilingsNBA

Great deep dive into Coward. Small sample size but his metrics are insane. Not a primary shot creator yet, but as a shooter, scorer, defender I could see him being a starter on a playoff team. Very complete game, with crazy athleticism and physical tools. Watching that interview was really what sold me... High IQ/character guy and really understands the game on a high level. This guy is gonna be a stud, it's really hard to not take him at 11. I think Schmitz takes Demon if he's there but I just don't see how you can pass on Coward. My guess is that he at least comes in for a workout.

[Norm2953]

Remember this draft after the top 5 is essentially flat. Let's see if the individual workouts decide who is
on the board for Portland. Case is likely right in that one of a group of 4-5 players will be the pick

[Sinobas]

I settled on hoping for Demin. I think he has the highest upside, and I'm not really interested in drafting a "meh" rotational player. Go for the home run.

His shooting % has caused him to slide, but I think he'll improve his shot.

[dckingsfan]

I settled on hoping for Demin. I think he has the highest upside, and I'm not really interested in drafting a "meh" rotational player. Go for the home run.

His shooting % has caused him to slide, but I think he'll improve his shot.

I think I would rather have Carter Bryant but would be good with Demin too.

And yes, if we could somehow get one of the MANY good bigs in this draft by acquiring another pick - you do it.

[zzaj]

Coward kinda looks like the player we all thought Martell would be. I’d be perfectly happy if the Blazers chose him at 11. There are any number of guys who I’d be fine with…

I called my shot last year when I first saw film of Asa Newell. He just SCREAMS Portland to me. I’m not a fan, and he’s slipped in mocks because he’s almost certainly a tweener…but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see Cronin go non-status quo and draft Asa.

He’s actually one pick I’d be actually bummed with.

[Walton1one]

I wouldn’t be overly bummed with Newell, but you better hope he can shoot, b\c he is undersized, and if you have to play him at PF, that is not ideal b\c he doesn’t really provide a ton of value there, but if he can play small ball/mobile center, well then he would be a good piece to add as a b\u to Clingan

Asa is a tweener, the size of a PF, but the game that more resembles a center, that’s why his swing skill is shooting, because if he can shoot from the perimeter, he becomes a more appealing player

I like Newell, would prefer him later, though, if POR could get a 2nd mid round first, let’s say #16 from ORL?

But I would not take him over Bryant/Demin/Jakacionas, but I would be fine if they took him over Essengue\Clifford\Coward

[Butter]

I wouldn’t be overly bummed with Newell, but you better hope he can shoot, b\c he is undersized, and if you have to play him at PF, that is not ideal b\c he doesn’t really provide a ton of value there, but if he can play small ball/mobile center, well then he would be a good piece to add as a b\u to Clingan

Asa is a tweener, the size of a PF, but the game that more resembles a center, that’s why his swing skill is shooting, because if he can shoot from the perimeter, he becomes a more appealing player

I like Newell, would prefer him later, though, if POR could get a 2nd mid round first, let’s say #16 from ORL?

But I would not take him over Bryant/Demin/Jakacionas, but I would be fine if they took him over Essengue\Clifford\Coward

Agreed that Newell is a bit of a tweener. I do think the Blazers could benefit from a 4/5 center if other teams try to exploit Clingan with a small ball lineup.

If Newell isn't that player, who are the best small ball 5s in this draft?

[zzaj]

I’m just not sure Asa Newell is going to be better than Walker at the NBA level.

Every game and vid I’ve watched him in he seems slow, with very little verticality, intensity and power.

If he’s a 1 position player, being non-elite at any one skill at that position is a red flag for me. There are multiple small-ball centers in every draft.

[Butter]

I wouldn’t be overly bummed with Newell, but you better hope he can shoot, b\c he is undersized, and if you have to play him at PF, that is not ideal b\c he doesn’t really provide a ton of value there, but if he can play small ball/mobile center, well then he would be a good piece to add as a b\u to Clingan

Asa is a tweener, the size of a PF, but the game that more resembles a center, that’s why his swing skill is shooting, because if he can shoot from the perimeter, he becomes a more appealing player

I like Newell, would prefer him later, though, if POR could get a 2nd mid round first, let’s say #16 from ORL?

But I would not take him over Bryant/Demin/Jakacionas, but I would be fine if they took him over Essengue\Clifford\Coward

Agreed that Newell is a bit of a tweener. I do think the Blazers could benefit from a 4/5 center if other teams try to exploit Clingan with a small ball lineup.

If Newell isn't that player, who are the best small ball 5s in this draft?

I'm getting interested in Fleming

Main line up:
Clingan
Deni
Sharp
Camarra
Scoot
6th man: Fleming

Small Ball line up
Fleming
Deni
Camarra
Sharp
Scoot

Defensive Line Up
Clingan
Fleming
Deni
Camarra
Scoot

[dckingsfan]

I wouldn’t be overly bummed with Newell, but you better hope he can shoot, b\c he is undersized, and if you have to play him at PF, that is not ideal b\c he doesn’t really provide a ton of value there, but if he can play small ball/mobile center, well then he would be a good piece to add as a b\u to Clingan

Asa is a tweener, the size of a PF, but the game that more resembles a center, that’s why his swing skill is shooting, because if he can shoot from the perimeter, he becomes a more appealing player

I like Newell, would prefer him later, though, if POR could get a 2nd mid round first, let’s say #16 from ORL?

But I would not take him over Bryant/Demin/Jakacionas, but I would be fine if they took him over Essengue\Clifford\Coward

Agreed that Newell is a bit of a tweener. I do think the Blazers could benefit from a 4/5 center if other teams try to exploit Clingan with a small ball lineup.

If Newell isn't that player, who are the best small ball 5s in this draft?

Yaxel Lendeborg to go along with Fleming. I also like Yang. But... probably not at 11.

[tester551]

I wouldn’t be overly bummed with Newell, but you better hope he can shoot, b\c he is undersized, and if you have to play him at PF, that is not ideal b\c he doesn’t really provide a ton of value there, but if he can play small ball/mobile center, well then he would be a good piece to add as a b\u to Clingan

Asa is a tweener, the size of a PF, but the game that more resembles a center, that’s why his swing skill is shooting, because if he can shoot from the perimeter, he becomes a more appealing player

I like Newell, would prefer him later, though, if POR could get a 2nd mid round first, let’s say #16 from ORL?

But I would not take him over Bryant/Demin/Jakacionas, but I would be fine if they took him over Essengue\Clifford\Coward

Agreed that Newell is a bit of a tweener. I do think the Blazers could benefit from a 4/5 center if other teams try to exploit Clingan with a small ball lineup.

If Newell isn't that player, who are the best small ball 5s in this draft?

Yaxel Lendeborg to go along with Fleming. I also like Yang. But... probably not at 11.

Agreed.
I like Yaxel better than Fleming because of his passing. But they're very close in terms of talent.

Yang is also very high on my target list for Portland

[Walton1one]

POR was not one of the teams that sent a scout to watch Yang this year, I doubt they take him