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

With their second first round pick, the Portland Trail Blazers can go hunting for another prospect who can fill a position of need. The Blazers have a plethora of wings on their roster, but few of them would earn the moniker of “two-way” wing that is prized in the modern NBA. Taking a shot on Barcelona’s Rodions Kurucs to eventually develop into that type of player is worthwhile here.

Kurucs is a 6-foot-8 3-and-D prospect who still needs to refine multiple areas of his game. At this point, his 3-point shot is more volume than accuracy as he made just over 31 percent of his attempts this season in Spain’s second division. Kurucs will have to improve that percentage if he wants to be a viable NBA player on the wing. Importantly, though, he can also generate offense in some other ways as he’s shown the ability to attack moving defenses off the dribble by using long strides to get to the basket.

On defense, the 19-year old has shown some promise as a weak side rim protector and using his length to generate steals. Any wing that is 6-foot-8 has some level of defensive promise simply given the value that size has at the position. Kurucs, if he invests himself, can develop into the type of two-way player that Portland needs.

Learn more about Rodions Kurucs at The Step Back.