2017 NBA Mock Draft: The best choice each team can make

The Portland Trail Blazers have three first round selections in the 2017 NBA Draft, thus they have a bit of leeway to work with in finding useful roster pieces. The team needs to make some improvements at the center position by finding a backup for Jusuf Nurkic and having three selections will give them that opportunity. At No. 15, the best option available is Texas center Jarrett Allen.

The 19-year old has the requisite size at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan the play the position in the NBA. However, he needs to work on translating that size into production on the court. Despite his massive wingspan, Allen averaged just 1.9 blocks per 40 minutes with the Longhorns. Some of that was due to the team’s scheme that involved playing two big men and some of it was due to a lack of instincts and engagement. Allen, though, has the physical tools to be a nice defensive piece to help spell Nurkic’s time on the bench.

Offensively, there’s not a lot of certainty regarding what Allen will be in the NBA. He’s probably at his best diving to the rim out of pick-and-roll, but there’s some hope he can develop a competent mid-range jumper.

Learn more about Jarrett Allen at The Step Back.