The Portland Trail Blazers are heading into the draft as one of the most interesting teams, as they finished last season with a 33-49 record and come in with the number 10 pick, meaning they will get a very talented player, but likely not one of the superstar prospects like Nerlens Noel.
According to SB Nation, the Blazers are interested in a number of players and they also have already met with Maryland center Alex Len, who is now rumored to be the number one pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the draft. The team had a bad record last season, but with talent like LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, adding someone like Len could help get the team back to the playoffs.
Len was a star at Maryland and despite having surgery on his foot, he is looked at as one of the most talented players in the draft. He averaged nearly a double-double last season and had 7.8 rebounds per game with over two blocks and that style of play has endeared him to general manager Neil Olshey and head coach Terry Stotts as the draft approaches. Len is over seven feet tall and he played his sophomore year at Maryland with a team that was not nearly as talented as he was.
Many teams see him as the number one center and that is why the Cavs have been rumored to be looking at him with the number one pick. The Blazers have done a good job in the draft over the past few years, including with Lillard and now that could extend to Len if he gets past the first nine picks, which isn't looking likely. The 20-year-old has a good build and his shot blocking ability should translate to the NBA next season. Len has shown that he can shoot the ball well and while his offensive game needs work, he has done a great job on the inside and with grabbing rebounds.
The team also likes Victor Oladipo, although it is unlikely he will fall that low as well. He had an excellent season with Indiana and as a junior he has one more year of experience than Len. He played in the NCAA tournament and is quickly rising on a number of draft boards. He shot over 60 percent from the field and has a good three-point shot and that makes him an interesting pick when looked at beside Ben McLemore and C.J. McCollum, who the Blazers also like.
McCollum has been looked at by the Blazers as a true target and a realistic one in the draft and the team met privately with him during the combine. He could end up being the pick if the two players end up off the board.
