20. Portland Trail Blazers: Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Ultimate Upside Comparison: Terrell Brandon
Safe Upside Comparison: Darren Collison
Position: Point Guard
Age: 20 (7/26/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 5’11.5″, 185 pounds, 6’5.5″
2016-17 Slash Line: .438/.379/.812
2016-17 Season Averages: 29.2 MPG, 19.2 PPG, 6.4 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.1 3PM
When a team knows what its flaws are, there’s no reason to wait to draft the player who can help rectify those issues. In the case of the Portland Trail Blazers, there’s an abundance of raw talent at every position but point guard.
Damian Lillard is a borderline superstar, but Portland’s apparent refusal to find an ideal backup has stunted its progress in recent years.
Jawun Evans could be the answer as a playmaking point guard who compares favorably to Terrell Brandon. Brandon’s peak was brief and marred by injuries, but at his best, he could attack the rim, space the floor, facilitate, and create havoc in the passing lanes.
Brandon made a pair of All-Star Game appearances, and that same ceiling exists for Evans in this point guard heavy league.
A more realistic comparison for Evans is Darren Collison. While Collison is slightly taller than Evans, the Oklahoma State star has a longer wingspan and shares two of the most prominent strengths: playmaking ability and defensive potential.
If the New York Knicks manage to acquire a second first-round draft pick, it may be wise to go point guard later in the first and select Evans.