2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 26: The Timberwolves’ young core improves
By Chris Stone
John Collins
PF, Wake Forest
The Portland Trail Blazers have three first round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, but none of them are in a position where they are likely to land a superstar. However, this draft is reasonably deep through the middle to late first round and should offer Portland plenty of potential rotation players who could help round out a roster. Wake Forest’s John Collins is one such player.
A 6-foot-10 power forward who averaged 28.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per 40 minutes as a sophomore, Collins could play an interesting role as an offensive spark plug on a bench unit. He has a very good post game, a solid pick-and-roll attack and even a developing mid-range skill set. Collins is a high energy guy on the offensive glass as well. He is a bit of an awkward fit for a starting lineup because he doesn’t space the floor much, but he could do well in that bench scoring role.
Defensively, there’s plenty to pick apart. Collins struggled to make reads away from the ball, for example, but his rebounding is valuable and he can provide a little bit of rim protection.