The Portland Trail Blazers pulled off a huge trade with the Sacramento Kings during the 2017 Nba Draft. In exchange for two picks in the first round (No. 15 and No. 20), the Kings dealt the No. 10 overall selection to Portland. It was a big move by the Blazers in order to add size to a very talented roster.
With the No. 10 pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers selected big man Zach Collins out of Gonzaga. Collins could immediately be a starter for the Blazers, teaming him up with current players like Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum on the active roster.
It might just be enough to get the Blazers deep in the 2018 NBA Playoffs.
Why did the Blazers have multiple picks in 2017 NBA Draft?
Through a lot of wheeling and dealing during the 2016-17 NBA season, the Portland Trail Blazers entered the 2017 NBA Draft with three first-round selections. In addition to their own pick, the Blazers also controlled the selections of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Blazers then packaged the first two picks to move up and take Zach Collins. The need to add some size to the current roster is already getting fulfilled just 10 selections into the draft.
There had been a number of other NBA trade rumors about the Blazers dealing the picks that they possess to other teams, but nothing took place before the draft day arrived on June 22.
Adding a player from Gonzaga, which is located in eastern Washington state, could mean that a lot of fans from the area gravitate to the Blazers during the upcoming NBA season.
How did Zach Collins do for the Gonzaga Bulldogs?
In 39 games for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Zach Collins averaged 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He also shot 65.2 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from three point range.
Collins only played one season for Gonzaga, which makes him the first player to ever be a one-and-done at the college. That was mentioned numerous times during the live ESPN broadcast of the 2017 NBA Draft.
This is the exact type of player that the Portland Trail Blazers needed to get in the 2017 NBA Draft. In addition to adding a lot of size and rebounding ability, Zach Collins will really help the Blazers spread the floor on offense.
This gives star guards Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum another weapon to work with on offense and could make the Blazers a true contender in an ever-improving Western Conference. Could the Blazers now be good enough to compete with the Golden State Warriors during the next NBA season?
