2025 Blazer Draft Prospects

[HoopsFanAZ]

I would be shocked if …
1. The Blazers do what it would take to get into the top 5
2. Any of Clingan, Deni, or Toumani were traded
3. Any draft trade in the lottery (by the Blazers) was made with the Wizards, Pels, or Raptors

Amazing that Ayton, Grant, and Simons are 3 of the returning starters (at this point) given what is said about them as compared to the younger guys.

Even with Scoot and Shaedon, any draftee is unlikely (at best) to beat out any of the younger 5 for at least a couple years.. The discussions here and elsewhere are about which back-up at 11 will be a dude moving forward. The draft is truly a future’s market except for the very top pick or two.

Just some observations, here, as I continue to flip flop between my own preferences of Jakucionis, Demin, Essengue, Bryant and Coward.

[Chanse503]

Just some observations, here, as I continue to flip flop between my own preferences of Jakucionis, Demin, Essengue, Bryant and Coward.

I’m right there with you, love this kids breakdowns:

Watch on YouTube

;t=7s

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

;t=291s

Watch on YouTube

[Norm2953]

Think about the player who will fit best if the team wants to build around Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe.

That group could use another player with length, who can shoot.

[Chanse503]

Think about the player who will fit best if the team wants to build around Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe.

That group could use another player with length, who can shoot.

Yeah and I’d suggest a secondary playmaker/ ball-handler/ distributor in transition.

Seems our profile identity is stout defense while a fast pace transition game on offense- which I absolutely love.

Shooters can be found in free agency: Gary Trent, Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway

I like the idea of having vets in the roster too with a young squad.

[Case2012]

Think about the player who will fit best if the team wants to build around Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe.

That group could use another player with length, who can shoot.

You're describing Coward. Or Fleming. My hope is we get both after trading simons.

[zzaj]

Think about the player who will fit best if the team wants to build around Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe.

That group could use another player with length, who can shoot.

You're describing Coward. Or Fleming. My hope is we get both after trading simons.

I would agree with this, or Bryant...

Right now the Blazers have a need for self creation, especially if Simons is traded. However, I would be wary of adding a big time self creator to the roster, as at least hypothetically that's a role that you would want Deni and Sharpe and Scoot to grow into.

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=HoopIntellect

I see him as a more explosive/better shot blocking Naz Reid that can play 3-5. Not a star but a key rotation guy that doesn't need to create his offense. Just play defense, set screens, and be open for 3's or finish on PNR.

Apparently he only created his own points like 2% of the time, but he was elite at finishing hence the 65% TS. Would be great as a 6th man.

[Butter]

Think about the player who will fit best if the team wants to build around Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe.

That group could use another player with length, who can shoot.

You're describing Coward. Or Fleming. My hope is we get both after trading simons.

2 of the 3 between Coward, WCJ and/or Fleming

[Walton1one]

Just some observations, here, as I continue to flip flop between my own preferences of Jakucionis, Demin, Essengue, Bryant and Coward.

I’m right there with you, love this kids breakdowns:

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

;t=7s

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

;t=291s

Watch on YouTube

Yes, this seems to be the foursome to choose from

[Norm2953]

Think about the player who will fit best if the team wants to build around Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe.

That group could use another player with length, who can shoot.

You're describing Coward. Or Fleming. My hope is we get both after trading simons.

2 of the 3 between Coward, WCJ and/or Fleming

I do wonder where Sharpe's ultimate long term fit if Portland uses a late lottery pick on a SG
or takes WCJ who is more or less the same age as Scoot.

Same things can be said if they take Demin (Deni) or Bryant (Camara) for all these guys are a
duplication of skills. I'm hoping they can add a player with some length/size and muscle but I
don't know if Noa will ever bulk up enough to play PF. Newell worked out already in Portland
and should be there at 11 and has a green room invite while Sorber has monstrous combine
numbers 6-9 262 lbs with 7'6 WS. The thing I'd wonder about Sorber is if he'd be a 6-9 version
of DC

[Case2012]

Think about the player who will fit best if the team wants to build around Camara, Deni, DC, Scoot and Sharpe.

That group could use another player with length, who can shoot.

You're describing Coward. Or Fleming. My hope is we get both after trading simons.

2 of the 3 between Coward, WCJ and/or Fleming

Yeah, my 4 guys are Coward, Clifford, WCJ, and Fleming. If we 2 of these guys I would be very happy but i think the most optimal use of the picks would be Coward and Fleming for their defensive potential.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=LockedOnNBABigBoard

Coward sounds like he's gonna be a coach at some point. He likes to talk and he's a student of the game, and has a really good head on his shoulders. I love that he grew up going from PG-to PF so he knows how to defend bigger guys but knows how to post up smaller guards and bully them. I think he'll be a coach's dream to work with. Get him in touch with Phil Buckner asap, he's already got the shot, he just needs the handles and creation.

[zzaj]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=HoopIntellect

I see him as a more explosive/better shot blocking Naz Reid that can play 3-5. Not a star but a key rotation guy that doesn't need to create his offense. Just play defense, set screens, and be open for 3's or finish on PNR.

Apparently he only created his own points like 2% of the time, but he was elite at finishing hence the 65% TS. Would be great as a 6th man.

I did my dive on Fleming during the season after watching a St. Joe’s game. I immediately went back and watched about 4 more games in their entirety—he just immediately stood out to me as someone who would instantly have an impact in the NBA as a defensive playmaker 3-5, and as an offensive floor spacer, and play finisher as a 4/5. Usually I hate that player type, but IMO Fleming has the absurd length and fundamental base to scale up to the NBA even on limited minutes. I love the way he switches to “ballside hand-up” on D every time….players almost never do that anymore. Grgurich would be proud…

Watching through this breakdown it’s nice to see a lot of the same things I saw initially in a concise format. If the Blazers choose to move on from Walker and Duop in the offseason (and I hope they do) IMO Fleming would be a very good choice to fill those minutes, and then some.

I’ve seen some people talk about him as a slow processor, but I just never saw that in the games I watched. Also, talk about his lack of self creation and handle—St. Joe’s offensive scheme is very specific under coach Lange. It’s basically a motion offense that emphasizes transition and early offense with halfcourt options that end in rim attempts and 3s. Very NBA. It’s understandable that Fleming showed basically no self creation in that system…at least to my eyes, he was schemed as an ending option at the rim off of cuts or as a C&S target at the 3pt line.

[Norm2953]

Seems like Fleming would have at least have a role if chosen by Portland but I keep looking at the
Tankathon mock which has the guys everyone wants with:


Clifford 17
Demin 18
Sorber 19
Fleming 20
Coward 23
WCJ 25

If we're picking at 11, I want the team to pick the guy which the scouts think is a lottery level player which
is why I mentioned Newell who is mocked to go 13. Trade down if the player they want will be there at 20

[Village Idiot]

You're describing Coward. Or Fleming. My hope is we get both after trading simons.

2 of the 3 between Coward, WCJ and/or Fleming

I do wonder where Sharpe's ultimate long term fit if Portland uses a late lottery pick on a SG
or takes WCJ who is more or less the same age as Scoot.

Same things can be said if they take Demin (Deni) or Bryant (Camara) for all these guys are a
duplication of skills. I'm hoping they can add a player with some length/size and muscle but I
don't know if Noa will ever bulk up enough to play PF. Newell worked out already in Portland
and should be there at 11 and has a green room invite while Sorber has monstrous combine
numbers 6-9 262 lbs with 7'6 WS. The thing I'd wonder about Sorber is if he'd be a 6-9 version
of DC

Sorber really intrigues me. I´m a sucker for centers like Bam Adebayo (whom I really want to acquire FWIW) who have a low center of gravity but long arms and hops to make up for a lack of heigh with hops and quick feet. Sorber really ticks those boxes and has really solid passing skills. My only concern with him is something Vecenie pointed out in his document. Sorber used to be a fatty. He slimmed down this year at Georgetown but got fat again after his injury. I am really leery of athletes who have trouble with weight control and self-discipline. If we could get the 16 from Orlando I would like to draft him but at 11 I want Demin, Jakucionis or Coward in that order.

[Dame Lizard]

Just take the best shooter.

We were 13th in 3s attempted per game, and 26th in 3 percentage made. If we trade Ant, as it seems most of us want, that disparity gets even larger.

Just take the best shooter.

This.

[Dame Lizard]

Just some observations, here, as I continue to flip flop between my own preferences of Jakucionis, Demin, Essengue, Bryant and Coward.

I’m right there with you, love this kids breakdowns:

Watch on YouTube

;t=7s

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

;t=291s

Watch on YouTube

I just can't get excited about a player who can't shoot, isn't an impressive athlete, can't defend and doesn't rebound that well either.

Yes he's tall and has good court vision, but his wingspan is quite poor (it's the same as his height in shoes). I'll walk away very disappointed if he is our pick, and honestly I'll lose some faith in Schmitz, as the pick would wreak of a Neil Olshey-esque infatuation with "one of his guys".

Carter Bryant or Essengue would be fantastic if they fell. I highly doubt Essengue falls though - even if he's unlikely to ever reach these heights, the Siakam/Giannis archetype is attractive in the NBA right now.

[Chanse503]

Just some observations, here, as I continue to flip flop between my own preferences of Jakucionis, Demin, Essengue, Bryant and Coward.

I just can't get excited about a player who can't shoot, isn't an impressive athlete, can't defend and doesn't rebound that well either.

You’re probably right- my man crushes on : Ricky Rubio,Dante Exum and Kendall Marshall remind me I’d been black balled from scouting years ago lol

[BlazersBroncos]

IDK if he would be the best compliment to Scoot but if we wanted a developmental backup PG in a more traditional mold Ryan Nembhard is a great flyer. I think he has a decent chance to carve a Jones-brothers type career out. Needs to add at least 10lbs to become playable though IMO.

I could see him going higher than expected (30's rather than 50's) though. Not sure I would use a 30's pick on him as some higher talent guys will be on the board.

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=FloorandCeiling

I think this is the best scouting video ive seen of Coward, not sure if i posted this one. I'd really love to hear back from Goldbum about whether the blazers are high on him or not. He didn't list him before.

My worry is that PDX drafts Kasparas at 11 and Coward goes before 16 (if Cronin pulls his giant bald head out his ass and trades Simons to Orlando finally). I would rather take Coward at 11 and then take whoever falls at 16. Demin might be there, Fleming, WCJ, Clifford. one of those guys will be there.

[Walton1one]

Bunch of mocks the last few days:

ESPN
Givony - Demin
Woo - Jakucionis

The Trail Blazers don't appear to have any immediate needs that can be filled with a player drafted in this range, but they might be intrigued by the idea of adding a big playmaking guard such as Demin, who has the size and versatility to play on or off the ball, can slide across different positions, and can grow alongside Portland's young core long term.

Jakucionis is one of the craftiest playmakers in this draft, and that level of vision, coupled with his ability to play both guard positions and room to grow as a shooter, makes him a good bet to settle in as a useful backcourt option in the pros.

He's drawing interest higher than the No. 11 pick as a result. His versatility and unselfishness make him a strong option in this range of the draft, and he's a player who would enhance the Blazers' guard group.

ClutchPoints\Siegel
Carter Bryant

It just makes sense for the Portland Trail Blazers to take Carter Bryant if he's on the board with the 11th pick. Bryant not only recently compared his skills and style to that of Toumani Camara, who was just named to the 2024-25 All-Defensive Second Team, but he is another athletic wing this organization could pair with Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.

When you look at the 3-and-D potential in this draft class, Bryant stands out with his long wingspan, athleticism, and smooth-looking shot from the perimeter. Bryant did not play much in his freshman season at Arizona, but that has not stopped NBA teams from considering him as a lottery pick.

The Portland Trail Blazers have recently prioritized athletes and versatility in the NBA Draft. Well, Bryant is the best athlete on the board in this spot, and he can make a difference as a lengthy wing who can guard any position. There are multiple avenues that Portland could go here, as Asa Newell also stands out as an athletic plug-and-play forward the Blazers are interested in, sources said.

Should the Blazers target a guard, especially if they are to move Anfernee Simons in trade discussions, Egor Demin would make a lot of sense given his fit and similarities next to Deni Avdija.

Still on the board: Demin #12, Coward #17, Riley #18

The Athletic\Vecenie
Carter Bryant

Bryant didn’t start many games this year at Arizona, but he was a monster defensive player when he was on the court, showcasing serious playmaking chops as well as great on-ball play. He also knocks down a solid percentage of his 3s. Bryant is one of the guys in this class who has a ton of juice when you talk to front offices, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him land in the top 10. I’d park his range in the No. 7 to No. 16 area.

The Blazers want flexible, versatile players under this front office led by Joe Cronin. Think about Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and others. They’ve also built a potential style of play on the defensive end led by Camara, an All-Defense selection this season, Avdija and last year’s first-round selection on the interior in Donovan Clingan. Bryant would give them even more optionality across the perimeter as they work to figure out what they have in Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe as creators.

Still on the board: Coward #14, Demin #16, Essengue #17

CBS Sports\Salerno
Carter Bryant

Don't let Bryant's low usage at Arizona fool you. He was underused during his freshman season and should've been playing more. Bryant is the prototypical 3-and-D wing that can fit into any rotation at the next level.

Still on the board: Fears #12, Fleming #13, Essengue #14, Demin #18

SB Nation
Jase Richardson

It’s a common refrain that you can’t teach size and athleticism. Can the same be said for feel? If so, Jase Richardson is an easy lottery pick in this class with razor-sharp IQ matched with elite three-point shooting ability. Richardson took off as soon as Michigan State finally inserted him in the starting lineup in Feb., turning into a deadly off-ball scorer who rarely turned the ball over. If only the son of Jason Richardson had his father’s size. The freshman guard measured at 6-foot at the combine, but his 6’6 wingspan does give him solid length. It will be interesting to see if Richardson can scale up after a low-usage role in college, but even if he can’t, his skill set still feels like a good fit for a Blazers team that needs shooting and connective passing. Even scarier than his lack of size might be his injury history: Richardson had a hole in his femur that required a bone graft in high school. If the injury is no longer a concern, Portland could easily cover Richardson on defense with monsters like Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara on the floor. His ability to find soft spots in the opposing defense could help their offense take off. It’s hard for a small guard to make it in today’s league, but Richardson’s skill set gives him a great chance to do

Still on the board: Essengue #12, Bryant #13, Coward #18, Demin #24

No Ceilings v8
Carter Bryant

There are a number of different directions the Trail Blazers could go with this selection, including trading up or trading back. Should Portland stand pat at this spot, Carter Bryant makes a lot of sense given the team’s established identity of defending in the halfcourt with long, athletic wings/forwards around talented guards in Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, as well as a big man in Donovan Clingan who played well during his rookie season. Bryant has the potential to become a higher usage wing given the ball-handling ability that he’s shown in flashes, particularly in transition. He’s also a better passer than given credit for, even if the results didn’t show up as pronounced in his box scores. There are enough scouts that share the opinion of concern regarding Bryant’s translation to the NBA, but he’s been a rapid riser up boards for a reason. He projects as a real-deal, multi-positional defender given his size, strength, and length profile. Bryant moves his feet well, has great hands, and can rotate and cover ground as a help defender. So long as his shooting holds up as another strength, he has a legitimate floor with enough potential to swing on him in the lottery. Few rookies in this class would likely crack Portland’s rotation next year, so Bryant would be afforded patience to expand his game offensively, while also being able to step in and feed into the team’s identity should he find minutes next season.

Still on the board: Coward #12, Essengue #13, Fears #18

Yahoo\Kevin O'Conner v4.0
Liam McNeeley

The Trail Blazers could be targeting a shooter with this pick after ranking 24th in 3-point percentage and in the middle of the pack in attempts last season. McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn’t project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense.

Still on the board: Richardson #12, Coward #14, Essengue #15, Demin #19

Ringer
Danny Wolf

Since Portland pivoted away from the Dame era, I’ve been fairly obsessed with the idea of adding ball-skill connectivity between the stable of fly-around athletes that the front office has accrued. Derik Queen’s potential as a hub that could feed the Blazers guards had been my dream scenario for this task, but if he’s off the board, you could make the argument that Wolf is just as good a fit … and possibly an even better one? He’s just as savvy at accessing every part of the floor with his passing ability, his shooting upside is better at this point, and he’s also bigger. This is an athletic and young roster, but they’re playing like a team with an offensive superstar despite not actually having one: 41.3 percent of their made field goals last season were unassisted, the third-highest mark in the league. Wolf could help alleviate some of that pressure.

Still on the board: Maluach #12, Coward #13, Demin #14, Essengue #23

Bleacher Report\Wasserman
Asa Newell

Workouts will give Asa Newell a chance to further sell teams on his shooting, which could unlock a coveted archetype and higher level of upside. He was the only player in the country with 50 dunks and 25 threes last season, and certain teams will surely be drawn to adding a springy finishing weapon who can stretch the floor and move defensively.

If Newell’s shooting perks up, he could complement Deandre Ayton and/or Donovan Clingan as a floor-spacing, switchable big off the bench. He also creates insurance if the Blazers wind up trading Jerami Grant.

Still on the board: Bryant #14, Coward #15, Demin #17,

CBS\Kyle Boone
Egor Demin

A potential shakeup for Portland's backcourt may give its brass reason to invest in a playmaker of Demin's caliber at No. 11. He has tremendous passing ability, though limitations with his defense and struggles with his shooting consistency has his range anywhere between mid-lottery to the 20s.

Still on the board: Richardson #13, McNeeley #14, Coward #15, Bryant #17

Fox\John Fanta
Carter Bryant

Still on the board: Richardson #13, Jakucionis #15, McNeeley #16, Essengue #18

You can access the links for most of these mocks here:
https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/06/12/nba-mock-draft-espn-athletic-bleacher-report-fox-ringer-yahoo/84153597007/