It happens every year. That one player with immense talent, projected to be a high draft choice, who falls surprising into the welcoming lap of a quality team. Sometimes, you may even find a gem.
That was the case in 2004, for instance, when the Boston Celtics drafted Tony Allen out of Oklahoma State with the 25th overall pick. Allen, as we now know, became one of the league's premier wing defenders - a six time all defensive team member, including three times on the first team - and NBA champion with the 2008 Celtics.
Last night in Brooklyn, at the league's annual draft, the Portland Trail Blazers drafted a player who they hope to have a similar impact in the league, taking North Carolina's Nasir Little 25th overall. Little, referred to during the draft by ESPN's Jay Bilas as a top 10 talent and who was drafted 9th to the Washington Wizards in NBA TV's Mock Draft a couple nights earlier, fell into the laps of the Blazers. Instead of going to a young, struggling team that would force him to be thrown into the fire right away, Little is headed to a team that was just a Western Conference finalist this past season, and one where he can have an immediate impact right away. The 19 year old Tar Heel alumnus - who was the MVP of the 2018 McDonald's All-American game and the #2 ranked player in ESPN's Top 100 heading into his lone season at UNC - gives the Trail Blazers an elite athlete on the wing that they lack. He is an explosive athlete, with the ability to finish at the rim either over the top of defenders or through contact.
Athleticism is likely the biggest reason for this pick. Mo Harkless is 6'9 220 but doesn't have the same level of athleticism as Little, and while Rodney Hood is a quality scorer, he is on the lighter side at 6'8 206 pounds. Little, in contrast, is a put together 6'7 220. The Blazers, who finished 24th in the league this past season in fast break points, will benefit from Little's ability to get out and run in the open floor.
The move is good for both sides. Not only will it benefit the Blazers on the floor, but Little gets the opportunity to play for a contender right away and learn from veterans. In contrast, if he had gone in the lottery, chances are he would have gone to a team with a young nucleus that is in either in rebuilding mode. Or, like the Wizards for instance, a team facing a lot of questions. Little will benefit from the Blazers, just as they will benefit from him.
A win win for both.
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