2024 NBA Draft grades: How experts graded the Portland Trail Blazers

Portland, Ore. – With the conclusion of the first two-round, two-day NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers 2024-25 campaign has officially begun. According to NBA Media, NBA experts grade teams’ picks from the AF and the overall draft, so it’s time to see how the Trail Blazers performed.

Just an hour before the draft began, the Blazers traded the 14th overall pick for Wizards forward Denny Avdija, as well as Malcolm Brogdon and three future picks. Therefore, Portland only had one pick on the first night of the NBA Draft, and that was pick No. 7.

With the seventh overall pick, Portland selected former UConn big man Donovan Clingan.

Clingan was considered a consensus pick in the top three or four, and according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Blazers attempted to move up in the draft to get Clingan.

However, patience paid off and Portland was rewarded, landing their guy at pick No. 7. Portland general manager Joe Cronin praised how Clingan was one of the top guys on his board. NBA experts agree with Cronin: It was a home run of a pick.

Connected: Blazers GM Joe Cronin talks about drafting Donovan Clingan

Take a look at what NBA insiders say about the Blazers selection of Clingen.

Clingan was the only pick of CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein graded as an A in the top 10.

what did they say: “This is the best situation for Portland. There was real talk he could go No. 1. Some teams were trying to trade for him. But the Blazers always wanted him, and he lost to them at No. 7 He’s a defensive monster with his size, rebounding and shot-blocking, but we don’t talk enough about his offensive ability with his slip passes and his ability to keep it on the floor and I believe that Shooting may be around the corner. – Finklestein

Yahoo Sports’ Kristen Peake was more generous with her grades, giving six A grades in the top 10. Still, an A is an A, no matter how you shape it.

what did they say: “Clingen has all the tools to be a long-term starting center in the NBA and he moves well for his size at 7-foot-2. He’s much bigger than a rim-runner and has a lot of different options in the pick. Can put-and-roll, whether he’s slipping, rolling to the basket, pinning his man or stepping out for a jumper.” – peeping

This was one of the lower grades from NBA experts for the Blazers, although Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report agreed that it was the right selection for Portland.

what did they say: “The Blazers should be thrilled to have Donovan Clingan here. For most of the mock-draft season, it seemed like the only way they would get him would be to trade up, yet the defensive anchor fell right into their lap. If Clingan makes an impact In an NBA game as he did at UConn, he can play top-10 defense in his own right and Portland could use some paint protection behind young guards Scooter Henderson, Anfernee Simmons and Shadden Sharp as a starting-caliber center at first. (Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III). But if the Blazers are sold on Clingan’s talent, it would be wise to add him at No. 7 and worry about the rest later.” – Buckle

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ESPN’s Kevin Pelton gave the Blazers one of six A’s in his draft report card.

what did they say: “After speculation that they might trade in pursuit of Clingon, the Blazers were able to hold on to the seventh pick and acquire my second-ranked prospect. Adding Clingon brought center starter Deandre Ayton and backup Robert Williams III to Portland. It’s less important than the Blazers acquiring the best available talent, and Clingan qualifies as a potential backstop for their offensive-minded young perimeter players. After starting the draft with the No. 1 pick, Portland made just one after sending Deni Avdija to the Washington Wizards as part of a deal to trade both second-rounders for the No. 14 pick and future picks. – Pelton

Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer was a generous grader, giving 11 A grades, including one for the Blazers.

what did they say: “The Blazers are building a defensive blueprint. After trading for perimeter defensive ace Denny Avdija tonight, Portland has selected its anchor. If Walker Kessler and Derek Lively II have already threatened NBA viability in the last two Had Clingan not been able to prove his collegiate credentials in the fall, he is truly one of the best rim protectors in the college game, with just as many potential downsides as any other player. Kind of, but if his ability in drop coverage reaches the NBA, his defensive presence could instantly change the weak Blazers’ regular season fortunes, hopefully nothing less in this draft because what you see is what you get. Get.” – O’Connor

The second round of the NBA Draft took place a day later, where Portland traded both of its picks coming into the night.

The Blazers traded this year’s 34th pick to the New York Knicks in exchange for three future second-round picks.

Portland then gobbled up their next pick like a Thanksgiving Day turkey, acquiring the 52nd pick in this year’s draft through a series of trades, and then traded it to Golden State. The Blazers received cash consideration from both the Thunder and Warriors for these selections.

In short, Portland ended the day with zero picks in the second round.