There's another guy in this draft who kind of went this route and isn't getting much talk here because he probably won't be picked in the first round. But the Bowen kid fits how the Blazers have been drafting: high upside, shooter, athletic. I don't know if the Blazers will have two openings on the roster, but I'd start watching if we get toward the middle of the second round and we have a chance to buy a pick from someone. I think Bowen is getting overlooked, but his skillset really fits the modern NBA. If he goes in the second round, I think he's a major steal.
A few more thoughts on Bazley: His similar route to the NBA as Ant may have them bond better than otherwise. Weird to think of Ant as the "vet." Bazley is repped by Klutch Sports, who apparently also represents Anthony Davis..... edit: Really like the idea of Ant/Bazley/Skal as The Future.
I'm not sure I agree with high upside or athletic with Bowen. From what I've seen, he appears to have 'heavy feet' and about 1/2-step slow. I think he'll become an NBA player - but Allen Crabbe is his ceiling.
The latest from nbadraft.net (FWIW): 25. Daniel Gafford 6-10 230 PF/C Arkansas So. Gafford is perhaps the most athletic big man available this year. He's a long, fluid bigman who runs the floor well and uses his length and athleticism well to convert alley oops, put backs and be a menace on the boards. He still needs to add strength to handle more physical players. Today's emphasis on bigs that can shoot from the perimeter and spread the floor decreases Gafford's stock to a degree. He lacks ideal touch on his shot, and is more effective scoring on the block. Why the Blazers take Daniel Gafford: Portland has a lot of talent at the center position. But Gafford at least has the athleticism to play either the 4 or 5, whether he can get there skill wise remains to be seen. Gafford is one of the premiere bigs in this year's draft from an athleticism standpoint. He struggled to improve as a shooter and the fear it that he may always be a rim runner and rebounder that doesn't become enough of a scoring threat. The Blazers have had excellent draft picks since Neil O'Shea has been their GM. NBA Comparison: Chris Andersen I don't see the Blazers taking a big that can't shoot at all. The have Kabengele moved all the way to #10
The one thing I will say is I think Bowen might play a little slower than he really is because I don't think he's super-confident with his dribble yet. I think if/when that comes along, you'll see a much superior version of Allen Crabbe. Not quite Rip Hamilton, but there are a lot of similarities in their style -- very sweet shot, and very tough stroke moving laterally off a dribble or two.
Gafford's intriguing, but I think of him a bit as a poor man's Zach Collins. Kind of superfluous for the Blazers.
Did you purposely leave out Collins? A 23-and-under developmental team of Simons, Trent, Bazley, Collins, and Skal is really freaking intriguing.
He might be the best shooter in the draft already shoots out the NBA 3 point line and quick release. He average below 100 on the defensive rating and average over 10 rebounds a game. Comes from small college and right in olshey alley. There 2 teams like this kind of players San Antonio and Utah. We are bringing this kid in for a workout. He got throw him in with the 25th pick too.
So basically Windler is this year’s Kevin Huerter? His stats are amazing. How is he not in the lottery
I'd be a lot more intrigued with someone like Gafford or Fernando if the Blazers had a dedicated big man coach.
Having a SF on the roster who can provide a legit outside threat makes sense. How many years has it been since? Season after season has been ended by teams sending the cavalry at CJ & Dame and letting the rest of the roster fire bricks. STOMP
