Trail Blazers News: Insider Predicts Portland Will Select Pac-12 Forward In 2024 Draft

With this pick, the Blazers would have one of the best young cores in the league.

As the Portland Trail Blazers close the door on their third consecutive season of tanking, their young core has really begun coming together. 

Behind guards Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe, they have three ball handlers – 2 of which that can score at all 3 levels, and 2 that have possessed groundbreaking athleticism. 

To that end, filling out the frontcourt is going to be key, as Jerami Grant and his massive contract are unlikely to be the answer at the four, while DeAndre Ayton is most certainly not the answer at the five. 

This has led Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman to project that Portland will take Colorado wing Cody Williams at No. 3 overall the 2024 NBA draft.

Williams, a 6-foot-9 wing, has the ability to play both power forward spots, but will likely need to beef up to be a legit 4 at the next level. His length and athleticism are huge perks, with his slashing ability and 63% 2-point shooting percentage being the most attractive component of his player profile. 

The brother of OKC's Jalen Williams, the physical tools mixed with the upside make for a highly intriguing player to put alongside their existing core. As fit issues may exist between the pieces Rip City currently has, Williams is a more seamless option next to any combination of the other three, making a lot of sense out of the No. 3 spot, should they secure that in the upcoming draft lottery. 

Other players projected to Portland include bigs like overseas prospect Alex Sarr and to a lesser degree, Baylor's Yves Missi, if they end up in the lower-end of the top 10 in the lottery.