Mock Draft Roundup: Trail Blazers Lottery Targets Include Zach Edey, Dalton Knecht & Nikola Topic

Rounding up mock drafts and talking predraft workouts for the Portland Trail Blazers. Why you should keep an eye on ESPN's odd mock draft, other lottery targets and how to track predraft workouts.
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 link.chtbl.com...
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 linktr.ee/Lock...
Watch the show and subscribe on KZbin
📺 / @lockedonblazers
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Yahoo Finance
For comprehensive financial news and analysis, visit the brand behind every great investor, YahooFinance.com.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply.
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.
eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.
PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonnba and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.
FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARANTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS - with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
#TrailBlazers #NBA

[@jonathanevers8019]

I agree shooting is definitely a need for this team, but more than anything I think what they need is an identity and upside. If they find future stars and players who establish the team’s identity and shooting is still a problem in 3 years, they can find a Dalton Knecht in any draft. I get this draft doesn’t have many ceiling-raisers, but this is why I’d prefer taking a swing even if the odds aren’t as favorable this year

[@ternel]

Lets be honest, Scoot didn't light the world on fire last year. How committed are the blazers to him?

[@nipperstyx]

Salaun may be a 'pops with the second team' guy. I'm always worried about that future with these super-young, very raw talents. That said, I'd support the lottery ticket.

[@michaelryan9711]

If the Blazers take Topic I might just give up on this org. How ridiculous would it be to draft yet another guard who can’t shoot who already has injuries. LMAO

[@Anthony-u3h3g]

I wouldn’t mind drafting a guard if we trade Brogdon and Simons. Not sure if anyone agrees with me. I like Topic a lot. He is shooting 87% from free throw, which tends to be the most correlated data point to nba shooting

[@multigun8082]

Can't wait for Cronin to give away the 14th pick in some awful trade, and then draft a point guard at 7...... Yay......

[@donaldjones9830]

Not to get off topic, but we don’t need Topic, no pun intended.

[@LockedOnBlazers]

I'm going to go ahead and say this pun was extremely intentional. Thank you for your service, Donald.

[@brettrose738]

I thought that it was very punny!

[@brettrose738]

Punnie?

[@brianscharbrough654]

I'm all the way in on Dalton Knecht people over react about his age! Who cares the dude was putting up 25, 37, 40 point games last season in college. We are majorly lacking in shooting and he would be perfect for us. I don't think we need to fill the roster up with more freak athletes that can't hit a shot to save their life. If we can get Salaun at 14 I'm fine with Knecht.

[@DT77-gx6jo]

We should definitely want to be back in the lottery again next season to hopefully get Cooper Flagg. I would go with Knect and Edey in this draft.

[@LockedOnBlazers]

I am pretty confident the Trail Blazers can and will get back into the top of the lottery next year pretty much regardless of who they pick in the draft this year. High floor, low floor, no floor. They can do it!

[@ebinterior8974]

Topic a trade kicker? The Blazer's do need to get under the tax.

[@nipperstyx]

My tinfoil hat is securely in place (chinstrap recommended), but I loved the 2023 look when reflecting on how accurate the Givony prediction might be. The Schmidt connection makes sense.

[@vladimirpejcinoski5248]

Kel'el Ware with the #14 pick..bigger longer stronger than Sarr, better 3point shooter, higher standing vertical, higher standing reach. timelord will be traded by Feb deadline. If Ayton plays good i wont be surprised if the trade him before his contract is over.

[@rileymcphee9429]

I still can't get over Ware's name. Mf sounds like a Klingon or some ish.

[@jonathanevers8019]

The fact that his work ethic has been such a unanimous concern with him is a dealbreaker for me in the first round. Can’t deny his talent is at least fringe-lottery level, but the other stuff can’t be ignored either

[@vladimirpejcinoski5248]

​@@jonathanevers8019 well he improved last year a lot..they call it a bad draft year, why not swing fo the fence..

[@jonathanevers8019]

@@vladimirpejcinoski5248 I get that he improved, but I mean that they’re also (hopefully) trying to build a culture beyond just acquiring talent. A lot easier for everyone to be maximized if they’re all 100% bought-in. I obviously do not know Ware personally so I’m just basing this off of what other people say. Maybe it’s blown out of proportion. But if they’re right then there are plenty of other guys to take swings on who I’d prefer

[@genewickersham4593]

Blazers need a brilliant coach. They always they have a good one, but they need the best. Ramsey got the championship because he had an actual plan. He had a doctorate degree in basketball. He had good players, but his only star was Maurice Lucas. Walton was wonderful when available. Johnny Davis was a great surprise as a rookie. Lionel Hollins was an unheralded star. Ramsey had the plan and the players were on his side. That is the formula. It doesn't matter how many studs, unicorns, alphas or sleepers that you draft.

[@doublee3886]

They need length on the wings and bigs who can compete against Wemby. They also need shooters. In the seven spot, Dalton Knecht fits the latter, and at fourteen, Zach Edey fits the former. As do Tidjane Sildaun and Tyler Smith.

[@CarloBarlo69]

I LOVE Holland and Salaun to Portland 🔥

[@antoniomarcoscostadossantos]

Trade Brogdon for 76ers pick 16 ( Kel El Ware + Holland pick 7 + Saluan or Tyler Smith pick 14. Go Blazers

[@NNick12]

I think Givony is still just doing a big board at this moment and wants to push Edey for clicks. Topic is one of the easier players to watch on KZbin. ABA has a channel with games. He plays off ball, even at Mega, more than it is reported. I look at the Luka + Kyrie model and are both "point guards." Both need the ball and are excellent together. Sharpe being more of a finisher is probably his better role.

[@czoem1747]

Topić is a good FT shooter, he could develop good 3pt.

[@hazeofthegreensmoke505]

*Scoot

[@CARLOSAVILA-ku4zl]

Nothing is wrong with taking the best available

[@CarloBarlo69]

I have a feeling the tiny guards and non-shooting centers are going to fall in the draft. I don’t see Clingan or Reed going top 8 at all. This is the Modern NBA we are talking about where size and shooting matters and clearly the league is going away from the traditional bigs and small guards. So a top 10 pick on those just aren’t that likely to me the more I think about

[@marcwhite9234]

I’m fine with the Blazers drafting Topic if they have plans to trade one or multiple guards (they might). If they have plans to trade one or a combination of Scoot, Simmons, along with Brogdon in a post draft trade, then Topic makes sense. I have no issues with them taking Edey as nothing in this draft is guaranteed. This is a big hit or bust draft. Blazers could end up with two starters or two busts. I think it’s a big projection draft and not all of these projections are going to hit.

[@JosePlata]

I'm taking Edey and Comche idgaf if they're reaches every player in this draft is a reach.

[@ZeroG]

Zach Edey would be a steal at #7. Anyone who thinks otherwise has not looked at the history of people with at least 9.9 win shares in a college season and players who've averaged 46 points per 100 possessions in the NCAA. The last guy with stats even close to Edey was Zion Williamson who has been dominant in the NBA when healthy. If we let Edey go to San Antonio or OKC or Memphis we're gonna be sorry.

[@Forever_Soul]

Edey is doomed if he will be drafted by the Blazers lol