Full Two-Round NBA Mock Draft Pre-March Madness
By Dallin Duffy
Scouting Report. Jaden McDaniels. 14. 34. Pick Analysis. SF/PF, Washington. Portland Trailblazers. player
The Blazers round out the Lottery here by keeping Washington forward Jaden McDaniels in the pacific northwest. McDaniels has great size at 6’10 with a 6’11.5 wingspan, and even better athleticism. He can jump out of the gym it shows on his highlight reel.
He has good touch in the paint and carries himself well. He plays hard despite his team’s 13-15 record. Defensively he has his ups-and-downs, but has the potential to be a dynamic shot blocker in the league. He’s had as many nights with double-digit blocks as he has had block-less nights (nine).
McDaniels, like others we’ve talked about recently, hasn’t been lights out for his college team, and has specifically been slumping of late. He hasn’t scored more than 20 points since December 22nd, and has struggled to be Washington’s #1 option on offense.
In Portland, he’d join Dame and CJ McCollum, who both know exactly how to carry an offense. McDaniels is more of a long-term project type pick, which the win-now Blazers may shy away from, but there is a chance he’s fantastic in a lesser role.
He’s a boom-or-bust prospect, which is always among the best options at this point in the draft.