2017 NBA Mock Draft: The final predictions

The Portland Trail Blazers have plenty of needs, but locking down some additional depth in the frontcourt might top that list. At No. 15, they can take a risk on a young prospect with high upside like Wake Forest’s John Collins despite some of his obvious flaws.

Collins was incredibly productive during his sophomore season despite being freshman aged. He averaged 28.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per 40 minutes for the Demon Deacons. He’s a solid pick-and-roll dive man, can score easily out of the post and is great crashing the offensive glass. These types of players don’t necessarily make the best game closers, but they can provide integral value throughout games.

The key with Collins will be figuring out if he can add some value in ways that are more important to NBA teams than they are for college ones. He isn’t very long and struggled with his awareness on the defensive end this season, including in pick-and-roll coverage. He also doesn’t have a ton of shooting range. Developing either of those skills could turn him into a much more impactful player down the line and take him from likely bench role-player to starter.

Learn more about John Collins at The Step Back.