Fansided

Portland Trail Blazers 2015 NBA Season Preview

By Cody Williams

Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a 3 point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a 3 point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 8
Next
Sep 28, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Pat Connaughton (5) poses during media day at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Pat Connaughton (5) poses during media day at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Picks

The Trail Blazers had the 23rd overall pick in this draft, but they ultimately traded away that pick, which became Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, to the Brooklyn Nets along with Steve Blake in exchange for Mason Plumlee and the rights to the 41st overall pick.

That 41st pick wound up being the dynamic wing Pat Connaughton out of Notre Dame.

PAT CONNAUGHTON. B. <p>Connaughton is incredibly athletic, measuring a 44” vertical at the draft combine. But it’s not all athleticism with the wing from the Fighting Irish as he showed a solid offensive prowess while playing at Notre Dame, particularly in terms of his jumper and perimeter scoring.</p> <p>I’m not quite sure if he’ll carve out a role with the Trail Blazers early on, but if things go south pretty quick for the Blazers (which they very well could), Connaughton is a player who could earn minutes late for the season and has the potential to show flashes as an offensive weapon.</p>. SG. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Portland also acquired the 54th overall pick in a trade with the Jazz for cash. They used that on 22-year-old Spainish forward Daniel Diez, who has not yet come to Portland.

Spain. DANI DIEZ. C. <p>This was a pretty clear draft-and-stash pick by the Blazers, but one that could eventually pay off. Diez has good size for a wing and has shown solid ability shooting the basketball while playing in Spain’s biggest league for some time now. With a few more years of development, the Blazers could enjoy bringing him in down the road as a usable piece.</p>. SF

Next: Offseason Additions/Subtractions

Home/NBA