NBA Draft 2013: Portland Trail Blazers High On Victor Oladipo

Former Indiana Hoosiers star Victor Oladipo is one of the most athletic prospects in the 2013 NBA Draft, and he showed it yesterday by putting up a 33-inch standing vertical and a 42-inch max vertical, with both being about on par with Ben McLemore’s verticals (McLemore’s standing vertical was half-an-inch less than Oladipo’s).

Oladipo said, “I hear it’s a great place for players. I’ve been there and I love it. I’m all about working hard and getting better everyday. I think playing in Portland will be good for me if I ended up there.”

It sounds like the interest between the Trail Blazers and Oladipo is very much mutual, as CSNNW’s Chris Haynes reports reports that the Trail Blazers “really like” Oladipo and are “considering moving up to get him”. Oladipo made it clear to CSNNW that his interest in Portland is genuine, and it sounds like a great match.

The Blazers, however, would almost certainly have to trade up in order to land Oladipo, because they are slated for the tenth pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. They could luck out on Tuesday’s lottery and get a higher pick, but, for all intents and purposes, the Blazers would have to trade up into the top five in order to get Oladipo. In fact, they would have to get a top three pick in order to guarantee adding Oladipo, but it’s unlikely that he ends up going that high. However, it is far less likely that Oladipo ends up slipping to the tenth pick.

Oladipo mentioned playing with Nicolas Batum and Damian Lillard as reasons for wanting to come to Portland, and I bet the Trail Blazers are attracted to his defense, ridiculous athleticism, and great offensive efficiency.