PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The Portland Trail Blazers are slated to pick 11th in tonight’s first round of the 2025 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
READ MORE | PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS COVERAGE
It is expected that Duke star Cooper Flagg will be the number one pick by the Dallas Mavericks.
Had luck gone the Blazers’ way during the NBA Draft Lottery, Portland would have had the right to draft Flagg. It came down to the last ping-pong ball. Had the ball been number 6, Portland would have won, but it was 7, giving Dallas the right to draft the top spot.
On Monday, Portland pulled off a shocking trade by sending Anfernee Simons to Boston for Jrue Holiday. The deal also includes the Celtics getting the Blazers’ two second-round draft picks.
According to several mock drafts, Portland could draft a college freshman, but the question is, who?
- Carter Bryant – Forward – Arizona
- Kasparas Jakucionis – Point Guard – Illinois
- Egor Demin – Point Guard – BYU
Another mock draft says the Blazers could take Noa Essengue, a Forward from Germany.
“Hard to say the exact player the Trail Blazers will draft. Mocks have varied, but I do think we know the type based on how the roster has been constructed under Cronin and Billups. I expect a long and athletic two-way player,” Chad Doing from Rip City Radio 620 AM tells KATU News. “Someone who can impact defensively and bring versatility. I think Asa Newell from Georgia and Carter Bryant from Arizona would fit that mold.”
750 The Game’s John Canzano says, “Carter Bryant – Arizona. Great athlete, 6’7 forward. Fits the identity of defense they are going for after getting Holiday.”
The draft tonight is very likely to include both trade players and draft slotting. There is intel out there for teams between picks 3-10 that they’re looking to move up, down, or out of the draft. That changes anything and everything the Blazers can do if they choose to pick at #11,” Danny Marang from 1080 The Fan and co-host of The Rip City WrapUp said. “The two names I’ve heard the most in discussions are Arizona’s Carter Bryant and Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis. There are wildcards like Egor Demin, Collin Murray-Boyles, Noa Essengue, and others, but I think if they have the chance to take Bryant, that’ll be their guy.”
KATU News and Sports will have complete coverage of the draft and festivities beginning at 4 p.m. with Steve Dunn, Tyree Smith, and Guillermo Mota at Moda Center.
You can watch the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft presented by State Farm on KATU starting at 5 p.m. The second round of the draft will take place on Thursday and will air on ESPN. Portland does not currently have a second-round pick.
