FanSided Network 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Jusuf Nurkic, Ed Davis, Shabazz Napier and Pat Connaughton are all free agents this summer. Depending on who leaves and who stays, the Portland Trail Blazers may need a guard or center from the draft. Judging from the playoff series versus New Orleans, the team also needs a consistent 3-point shooting wing. As a result, the Blazers have worked out prospects across all positions.

In my opinion, Napier is the most likely to leave this offseason. With Portland’s staggered lineup, Damian Lillard or CJ McCollum are always on the court — there’s no reason to break the bank on a point guard playing off the ball for less than 15 minutes per game. According to mock drafts, the best players available at No. 24 are guards. Like in this mock draft, 3-and-D wings Chandler Hutchison and Jacob Evans will be off the board by the time Portland selects.

With all this in mind, the Blazers should select a defensive-minded guard to fill in for Napier’s limited minutes. Khyri Thomas, a 6-foot-3 combo guard out of Creighton, fits the bill. In his third season at Creighton, Thomas averaged 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 steals in 31.7 minutes per game. He shot 53.8 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from 3, and 78.8 percent from the free throw line. The Creighton guard won Big East Defensive Player of the Year his sophomore and junior season. With a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he can pickpocket smaller guards, intercept passing lanes, and switch onto wings.

For anyone doubting his defense, it even has its own nickname: Khyrifense. You know who else has a nickname for his defense? Kawhi Leonard. While the Blazers need a 3-and-D wing the most, it must select the best player available at No. 24. Mostly guards remain around then, and Khyri Thomas fits the best with Portland’s deficiencies.

— Nate Mann

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