Soaring Down South
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NBA Mock Draft 4.0 — Warriors Take Wiseman First, Hawks grab LaMelo

By Dallin Duffy

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks celebrates hitting a three point shot late in the final quarter during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 25: Lamelo Ball of the Hawks celebrates hitting a three point shot late in the final quarter during the round 8 NBL match between the Illawarra Hawks and the Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre on November 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /
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NBA Mock Draft
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – NOVEMBER 30: RJ Hampton of the Breakers looks on during the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on November 30, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /

SG, USA. Prospect Profile. Portland Trail Blazers. RJ Hampton. 14. player. 34. Pick Analysis

The Blazers have an interesting decision to make here, and they could either draft for need or take the best player on the board, which in my eyes, is Hampton. Even with Dame Lillard and C.J McCollum on the roster, the team takes the combo guard here.

Hampton played just 15 games in Australia after turning down NCAA ball, putting up iffy numbers in the NBL. He shot 40 percent from the field, 29 percent from three while nearly averaging the same amount of assists as turnovers.

There is still upside to him, especially with his potential to score in the paint. He’s a gifted slasher and has to be one of the fastest guards in the draft. He can blow past slower opponents routinely and can finish with strength, albeit somewhat inconsistently.

Whether or not he can be a true star at the next level will rely on his ability to hone in defensively and unlock his jump shot. Both can be done, but aren’t guaranteed. Dame and CJ are as good as role models to learn behind as possible.