Here are our player scouting reports and 2015-16 projections for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Projected starters
Damian Lillard
Position: Guard
Experience: 3 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Prolific score-first point guard who will be the centerpiece of Blazers' new era
+ Deep 3-point range off the bounce or off kickouts. Dramatically improved finishing ability
+ Oft-maligned defender. Undersized, but will compete. Effort and execution waned down stretch
Analysis
After serving as a perimeter counterweight to LaMarcus Aldridge during his first three NBA seasons, two-time All-Star Damian Lillard will step into a leading role with the departure of Aldridge and three other starters. That leaves Lillard, who signed a five-year, maximum extension worth an estimated $120 million (the value will be determined when the 2016-17 salary cap is set next July), as the centerpiece of a team now built around his timetable.
Portland has surrounded Lillard with pick-and-roll big men capable of drawing defensive attention. That makes sense given nobody in the NBA scored more points as a pick-and-roll ball handler than Lillard last season, according to Synergy Sports tracking on NBA.com/Stats. While Lillard's shooting percentage and effective field-goal percentage were essentially unchanged, he got there in a different fashion. Lillard slumped to 34.3 percent beyond the arc, a career low, but made a career-best 50 percent of his 2-point tries. Lillard has worked hard to improve his finishing, a weakness during his first two seasons, and improved his accuracy within three feet from 52.1 percent in 2012-13 and 2013-14 to 64.2 percent last season, per Basketball-Reference.com. Though he shot worse than league average on 3s, Lillard's volume shooting (his 196 3s ranked sixth in the league) and ability to pull up off the dribble from well beyond the line force defenders to stay close to him, giving Lillard driving lanes. The next step will be developing his drive-and-dish capabilities, since Lillard is only average as a playmaker.
A consensus appeared to develop late last season that Lillard had replaced James Harden as the league's worst defender among star-caliber players. That was unfortunate because Lillard had actually shown improvement on defense early in the season, as reflected by an above-average defensive rating for a point guard in ESPN's real plus-minus. He's gotten better at battling bigger players in the post and become more of a presence on the defensive glass. However, the loss of Wesley Matthews as a backcourt partner highlighted Lillard's difficulty with the league's best athletes at point guard. Whether it was attributable to the load he was carrying on offense with the Blazers short-handed or not, Lillard's effort also wasn't good enough down the stretch, and the penetration he allowed was a factor in Portland's defense collapsing without Matthews.
C.J. McCollum
Position: Guard
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Smooth, polished scorer who showcased his skills late in season and in playoffs
+ Can handle the ball, but turnover-prone. Lacks point-guard mentality. Dangerous outside shooter
+ Undersized for a 2. Compensates some with wingspan, but below-average defender overall
Analysis
The Blazers' deadline trade for Arron Afflalo was something of a vote of no confidence in 2013 lottery pick C.J. McCollum, who played just one minute in Afflalo's first five games with the team. But Wesley Matthews' Achilles injury, followed by Afflalo's own shoulder injury, gave McCollum an opportunity to see heavy action late in the regular season. He responded by averaging 19.6 points per 36 minutes from March 20 onward, then averaged 25.7 points in the last three games of Portland's playoff-series loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. With Afflalo and Matthews gone via free agency, McCollum has the chance to start next to Lillard and emerge as Portland's No. 2 option on offense.
McCollum has all the tools to be an effective offensive shooting guard. That starts with 3-point range, and McCollum shot 39.6 percent while attempting almost 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. He can be effective with the ball in his hands, too, and frequently ran the offense in college. McCollum may get some chance to play point guard with the second unit this season, but he's struggled in his rare minutes there, turning the ball over when trying to split traps and looking too frequently for his own shot. McCollum is better as a secondary ball handler who can relieve pressure on Lillard. A key step in his development will be getting to the free-throw line more frequently; he averaged just 2.7 attempts per 36 minutes and is a surprisingly poor foul shooter, making 70 percent of his tries last season.
The downside of playing McCollum at shooting guard is that, at 6-foot-4, he's small for the position. His wingspan (measured at 6-foot-6 and a quarter at the 2013 NBA pre-draft combine) does help McCollum play the passing lanes and contest shots, but he can be overpowered by bigger opponents and doesn't seek physical contact. A Lillard-McCollum backcourt figures to struggle defensively.
Al-Farouq Aminu
Position: Forward
Experience: 5 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Athletic combo forward who thrived in Rick Carlisle's system in Dallas
+ Non-shooter, which presents an issue on wing. Best as small-ball 4 or playing next to shooter
+ Quick, physical defender who helps team both on the ball and as a help defender
Analysis
Spending a season playing for the veteran's minimum with the Dallas Mavericks paid off financially for Al-Farouq Aminu, who parlayed the best season of his career into a four-year, $30 million deal with the Blazers, who will likely start him at small forward. The deal reunites Aminu with GM Neil Olshey, who drafted him for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2010, and pairs him with Terry Stotts, a former Dallas assistant whose offensive system is similar to Carlisle's.
The fundamental problem with Aminu's development as a small forward has always been his poor shooting. Last season's 34 3-pointers were more than Aminu managed in three seasons in New Orleans total (30), and he shot just 27.4 percent there in Dallas. Unfortunately, Aminu isn't much of a cutter either, so most of his half-court offense comes in catch-and-shoot situations. (Aminu is an excellent transition player, and will benefit if Portland pushes the pace more this season.) Playing about half his minutes with the Mavericks at power forward minimized the impact of his non-shooting. Since Stotts has a full frontcourt rotation, his solution might be using Aminu next to Meyers Leonard, who can space the floor as a big man.
It's worth finding a way to keep Aminu on the court because of his defense. A wiry yet strong 6-foot-9, he's got an ideal frame for a small forward. He got the assignment of defending Harden for Dallas in the postseason, but Aminu isn't ideally cast as a stopper. Because of his excellent shot-blocking (he blocked at a rate better than the average center last season) and activity, he's best as a help defender. Aminu also rebounds like a power forward, one reason he can hold his own at the position. Add it up and Aminu ranked sixth among small forwards in defensive impact last season according to ESPN's real plus-minus.
Meyers Leonard
Position: Forward
Experience: 3 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ After disappointing sophomore season, solidified his NBA future by developing into stretch big
+ Accurate outside shooter when left open. Slow release limits opportunities when defenders stay near
+ Not an instinctual defensive player. More comfortable as a power forward. Has added bulk
Analysis
This time a year ago, it was uncertain whether the Blazers would pick up the fourth-year option on Meyers Leonard's contract after he played just 355 ineffective minutes in 2013-14. After a breakthrough campaign that saw him briefly swing Portland's playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies with his shooting (and bizarrely draw the nickname "Baby Sabonis" from TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal), Leonard is a candidate to start at power forward and sign an extension that will keep him in the Rose City long-term.
Leonard changed his game by focusing on stretching the floor. He'd toyed with the 3-pointer previously, but went from taking 6.6 percent of his shots beyond the arc to 45.7 percent virtually overnight. Opponents were slow to update their scouting reports, even as Leonard kept making open 3s. According to SportVU data parsed by Seth Partnow of Nylon Calculus, more than 70 percent of Leonard's 3s were "open" (no defender closer than three feet), the league's seventh-highest rate among players with at least 100 attempts. Leonard took advantage: He shot 42.0 percent beyond the arc, and while he didn't technically qualify, Leonard posted the NBA's lone 50-40-90 season, shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 93.8 percent (30-of-32) from the free throw line. Leonard does have a bit of a slow release, something he'll have to improve as defenders stay near, but when the Grizzlies started doing that in the playoffs it opened up driving lanes for the Blazers' guards. Teams may also go small on Leonard this season, making it imperative that he continue to develop his mechanical postgame.
Poor defensive instincts make it tough for Leonard to anchor a defense at center, and he saw most of his action last season at power forward. Smaller, quicker 4s can put him on roller skates on the perimeter, but Leonard has added strength to do battle in the post and is also a fine rebounder for a power forward.
Mason Plumlee
Position: Center
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Energetic pick-and-roll big man who is a presence above the rim
+ High-percentage finisher. Limited offensive range and struggled badly at free-throw line last season
+ Active defender. Below-average shot blocker who doesn't deter opponents around the basket
Analysis
Despite starting 45 games for the Brooklyn Nets last season, Mason Plumlee found his minutes squeezed by Brook Lopez's re-emergence. The Nets could never find a way for the two centers to coexist, so before re-signing Lopez to a three-year contract this summer, they dealt Plumlee to the Blazers on draft night for a package headlined by first-round pick Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Plumlee will now battle Ed Davis and Chris Kaman for the starting center job in Portland.
The Blazers likely see Plumlee as a pick-and-roll partner for Lillard. Last season, Plumlee shot 61.1 percent as a roll man, which ranked 12th among players with at least 50 attempts, according to Synergy Sports tracking on NBA.com/Stats. He rolls hard to the basket, and though he had some trouble catching the ball on the move last season, Plumlee can out-jump opponents to finish above the rim. Just don't expect anything else on offense. More than three-quarters of Plumlee's career baskets have come within three feet, per Basketball-Reference.com. He had particular trouble from 15 feet last season, developing a bit of a hitch in his free-throw release. After shooting a respectable 62.6 percent from the line as a rookie, Plumlee dropped to 49.5 percent last season, putting him in Hack-a-Shaq territory.
Plumlee's size and athleticism haven't been as valuable around the rim on defense. He'll block the occasional shot, but last season opponents made 55.5 percent of their attempts within five feet with Plumlee as a primary defender -- the third-worst mark among players who defended at least five such shots per game, according to SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats. Plumlee was only marginally better as a rookie, which could present a problem playing with guards who will allow dribble penetration. On the plus side, Plumlee is more mobile than Portland predecessor Robin Lopez, giving Stotts more flexibility in defending pick-and-rolls.
Reserves
Ed Davis
Position: Forward
Experience: 5 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Lanky lefty with a center's skills and the body of a power forward
+ Excellent finisher out of pick-and-roll. Good offensive rebounder. Can score in the post
+ Above-average shot blocker, but not as effective protecting the rim. Average defensive rebounder
Analysis
Finding free agency surprisingly cool last summer, Ed Davis took a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum with the Los Angeles Lakers. After averaging a career-high 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, he snagged a three-year, $20 million deal from the Blazers. He'll be in the mix for playing time at center as either a starter or a reserve.
The broad outline of Davis' skill set is similar to new teammate Mason Plumlee. Davis, too, is a fine pick-and-roll finisher, ranking 11th among players with at least 50 attempts -- one spot ahead of Plumlee -- by shooting 61.4 percent as a roll man last season, per Synergy Sports tracking on NBA.com/Stats. Davis also generates high-percentage attempts via cuts and second chances, and can create his own shot at times in the post. He does a nice job of using his body to protect his shot from bigger defenders, taking advantage of his touch around the basket.
While Davis has center skills, he has the body of a power forward, which leads to him getting pushed around at times defensively in the post by bigger opponents. Davis is a good shot-blocker, swatting shots at an above-average rate for a center, but rim protection numbers suggest that might be misleading. Opponents shot 53.9 percent at the rim with Davis as a primary defender, the league's 10th-highest mark -- again, slightly better than Plumlee -- according to SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats. (Davis was much better in 2013-14, allowing 43.8 percent shooting around the rim.) Those defensive shortcomings have generally limited Davis to a reserve role, though he did start 24 games last season.
Gerald Henderson
Position: Guard
Experience: 6 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Veteran wing who had spent entire career in Charlotte before an offseason trade
+ Below-average 3-point shooter. Can get to the basket off the dribble, but relies heavily on long 2s
+ Good individual defender who can guard either wing spot. Rarely generates steals
Analysis
Having spent six seasons in Charlotte, during which the team went through two names and four head coaches, Gerald Henderson was the team's longest-tenured player before being dealt to Portland before the draft. In the final year of his contract, Henderson will compete for wing minutes as the Blazers' best defensive guard after recovering from offseason hip debridement that still had him limited at the start of training camp.
Since using a career-high 23.5 percent of Charlotte's plays in 2012-13, Henderson has moved into a smaller role, and his usage rate was only slightly better than league average last season. That makes sense, since Henderson has never posted an average true shooting percentage. He's an adequate 3-point shooter and takes twice as many shots between 16 feet and the 3-point line, where he's accurate but still not efficient. Henderson is a good distributor for a shooting guard and can make plays off the dribble, which should allow him to share ballhandling duties with McCollum if they play together off the bench.
Henderson's defense should earn him minutes, and possibly put him on the floor down the stretch. He's a heady defender who can contain the ball and has enough size to defend either wing spot. Henderson's steal rate is low, but the Hornets' defensive scheme put little emphasis on forcing turnovers and the same is generally true in Portland.
Noah Vonleh
Position: Forward
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Talented, inexperienced power forward who flashed NBA skills in limited action as rookie
+ Has face-up game on offense. Made NBA 3-pointers at summer league. Active offensive rebounder.
+ Active -- at times overactive -- defender. Must continue improving strength
Analysis
At age 19, Noah Vonleh was always unlikely to contribute as a rookie, and September surgery to repair a sports hernia put him further behind the development curve. Eager to accelerate their return to the playoffs, the Hornets dealt the former No. 9 overall pick to the Blazers after the season as the centerpiece of their package for Nicolas Batum. Portland will give Vonleh an opportunity to grow into a larger role as the likely eventual replacement for Aldridge at power forward.
He's got a long ways to go, but in some ways Vonleh's inside-outside potential resembles Aldridge's game. He demonstrated NBA 3-point range during this year's Las Vegas Summer League, shooting 5-of-10 beyond the arc. Facing the basket on offense also allows Vonleh to use his quickness to beat slower power forwards off the dribble as he sharpens his handle. One key area of improvement for Vonleh is his finishing over bigger defenders. He shot just 47.1 percent inside three feet, per Basketball-Reference.com, and had 14.5 percent of his shot attempts blocked.
Vonleh didn't play enough minutes to get comfortable in Charlotte's defensive scheme, and was overanxious when he was on the court. At 6-foot-10 with long arms, he's got the defensive tools to be effective against power forwards as he settles down. Adding core strength will also help Vonleh do battle with more experienced opponents in the paint.
Chris Kaman
Position: Center
Experience: 12 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Offensive-minded, high-usage backup center entering his 13th NBA season
+ Skilled post player who can score with either hand. Prone to turnovers. Rarely gets to free-throw line
+ Good defensive rebounder. Didn't protect the rim as well as Portland hoped
Analysis
Chris Kaman was the lone veteran to survive a makeover of the Blazers' roster. Though just $1 million of Kaman's $5 million salary for 2015-16 was guaranteed through June 30, Portland kept him past that date. He will be the most experienced player on the team's youthful roster.
Kaman gave the Blazers a huge lift early in the season, averaging 10.9 points per game in just 19 minutes a night in November. His impact waned thereafter, as Kaman played through a sprained thumb, though he rebounded to shoot better than 60 percent from the field in March and April. Kaman's usage rate (22.9 percent of Portland's plays) was his lowest since 2008-09, though his skills still demand the offense run through him more than the typical backup center. He's spent years polishing his post moves with former Blazers assistant Kim Hughes and is ambidextrous around the basket. Kaman is also a surprisingly accurate midrange jump shooter when he steps away from the basket. But his tendency to turn the ball over and the fact that he rarely draws shooting fouls on his hooks and fadeaways limit his efficiency.
Kaman's numbers on the defensive end regressed. He'd held opponents to just 43.6 percent shooting inside five feet in 2013-14, per SportVU tracking on NBA.com/Stats, but that rate increased to a poor 52.9 percent last season. By dropping him on pick-and-rolls, Portland's defense hid Kaman's limited foot speed, and he does help on the defensive glass.
Maurice Harkless
Position: Forward
Experience: 3 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Athletic wing entering his fourth NBA season at age 22 after one year at St. John's
+ Mediocre outside shooter. Doesn't really create his own offense off the dribble
+ Has tools to be a plus wing defender. Must consistently commit to defending
Analysis
As he enters his fourth season in the NBA, Maurice Harkless is a month younger than 2015 lottery pick Frank Kaminsky. He started 59 games for the Orlando Magic as a rookie and appeared on his way to a long career before quickly falling out of favor and playing just 45 games in 2014-15. Orlando sent Harkless to the Blazers in exchange for a top-55 protected second-round pick they'll likely never see.
In Portland, Harkless has the opportunity to rebuild his career off the bench. Intriguingly, his skill set is similar to the Blazers' likely starter at small forward. Like Aminu, Harkless isn't a consistent outside shooter. He's shot 30.9 percent from 3-point range during his NBA career, though he did shoot 38.3 percent on 183 attempts in 2013-14, offering some reason for hope. Since Harkless doesn't really make plays with the ball in his hands, that leaves him scrounging for offense via cuts -- something he's done better than Aminu -- as well as second chances and in transition.
The tools are there for Harkless defensively. He's listed at 6-foot-8, which might understate his height; Harkless measured nearly 6-foot-9 in shoes at the pre-draft combine, with a 7-foot wingspan. He's quick enough to defend either wing position and has accumulated steals and blocks when he's gotten regular playing time. If Harkless commits to defense, he'll earn regular minutes and possibly a new contract in Portland. If not, he might find himself playing for the veteran's minimum in 2015-16 -- or out of the league entirely.
Allen Crabbe
Position: Forward
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Prospective 3-and-D player who needs to be a more consistent 3-point threat to solidify playing time
+ Has shown ability to create own shot before NBA, but has played low-usage role in pros
+ Made strides defensively last season, allowing him to stand out of crowded battle for wing minutes
Analysis
After playing just 100 minutes in 2013-14 as a rookie, Allen Crabbe took on a larger role in Year 2 and even started nine games because he was the best complement to the Blazers' other starters. This season, with Portland upgrading its wing defense, Crabbe's ability to consistently knock down the NBA 3 will be key to earning minutes off the bench in the last year of his minimum-salary contract.
At Cal, Crabbe was a big-time scorer, averaging 18.4 points as a junior before entering the draft. He showed at this year's summer league those skills are still there, scoring 23.5 points per 36 minutes, but they've mostly gone dormant when Crabbe has played with NBA teammates. He used just 11.5 percent of the Blazers' plays while on the court last season, and, per Basketball-Reference.com, 92 percent of Crabbe's shots were assisted by teammates. He might look to do a little more this season, though improving on last year's 35.3 percent from 3-point range is the first order of business.
Crabbe got on the court with his defense, not previously a forte. He'll probably never be a stopper, especially since the 6-foot-6 Crabbe struggles against bigger small forwards, but he executed the scouting report and showed the ability to block shots on the ball.
Pat Connaughton
Position: Guard
Experience: Rookie
2015 draft profile
Scouting report
+ Tough role player who will try to fill 3-and-D spot in the NBA
+ Fine 3-point shooter who made 42.3 percent of his 3s as a senior. Spends most of his time beyond arc
+ Good athlete who will work at the defensive end. Excellent defensive rebounder
Analysis
Pat Connaughton's selection by the Brooklyn Nets in the second round of this year's draft as part of a prearranged deal sending him to Portland marked the second time in the past two years he had been drafted. The Baltimore Orioles took him in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft as a pitcher, but the Notre Dame product will put his baseball career on hold in favor of a three-year contract with the Blazers that will pay him slightly more than the rookie minimum this season.
Offensively, Connaughton knows his role: space the floor and knock down 3s. He took more 3s than 2s all four years in college, and they accounted for more than 60 percent of his shot attempts in total. Connaughton was a career 38.6 percent shooter, improving to 42.3 percent as a senior. And he showed the ability to make the longer NBA 3 in Las Vegas, shooting 7-of-16 (43.8 percent) during summer league. Connaughton can also make plays as a passer, having averaged 3.0 assists per game as a junior before Jerian Grant's return shifted him to more of a spot-up role.
Connaughton is a a hard-nosed defender who ranked in the ACC's top 10 in defensive rebound rate each of the past two seasons. At 6-foot-5, Connaughton will give up size to many NBA wings, but he's strong and a good athlete. Connaughton's 44-inch max vertical was the highest at the pre-draft combine, and while that may have been a slight miscalculation, Connaughton can get up.
Phil Pressey
Position: Guard
Experience: 2 years
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Pass-first, waterbug point guard who saw regular action during two years in Boston
+ Non-shooter. Can get to the basket but struggles to finish over bigger defenders
+ Pesky defender who will pressure full court. Has quick hands on defense
Analysis
During two seasons with the Celtics as an undrafted free agent, Phil Pressey saw more than 1,700 minutes of action. When Boston drafted the similar Terry Rozier, however, it rendered Pressey unnecessary and he was waived before his 2015-16 salary became guaranteed. Pressey signed a non-guaranteed one-year deal for the veteran's minimum in Portland and will battle Tim Frazier to back up Lillard.
Though he saw less action, Pressey made important strides in his second NBA season. He cut his turnover rate, a major problem as a rookie, and improved his shooting percentage. Of course, there was little room to go but up after Pressey shot just 30.8 percent as a rookie. He lacks 3-point range, having shot 25.7 percent beyond the arc the past two seasons (though he's still attempted 171 3s). And he can't finish over bigger defenders when he gets into the paint off the dribble, having shot just 50.9 percent inside three feet, per Basketball-Reference.com. That leaves driving and dishing as Pressey's only real offensive value, and he's been a good passer, not a great one.
Despite his small stature, Pressey has been more valuable on defense. He's quick enough to get up in his man without getting beat off the dribble, and can pressure full court. Pressey's steal rate declined from his rookie season, when it was one of the league's best, but he was a quality defensive rebounder for a point guard. The Celtics allowed 5.6 fewer points per 100 possessions with Pressey on the court, per NBA.com/Stats.
Tim Frazier
Position: Guard
Experience: 1 year
2015-16 projections
Scouting report
+ Undersized point guard who starred in the D-League and earned a pair of NBA call-ups
+ Excellent playmaker. Struggled to make shots and turned the ball over too frequently in NBA
+ Strong defender, but relied too heavily on hand-checking against bigger opponents
Analysis
Undrafted out of Penn State, Tim Frazier won both rookie of the year and MVP in the D-League last season by averaging 16.1 points, 9.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game. Frazier's first taste of the NBA saw him start three games at point guard for the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers, playing 35 minutes and handing out 11 assists in his debut. The Blazers allowed Frazier a more gradual transition when they called him up late in the season with a contract that is non-guaranteed this season. He'll battle Pressey for a roster spot and the right to back up Lillard.
There's no denying Frazier's ability to find teammates. He handed out 9.0 assists per 36 minutes in the NBA, a rate that would have ranked in the league's top 10 if he qualified. He did struggle with turnovers, committing 3.8 per 36 minutes, but the bigger question is whether he can score in the NBA. He wasn't afraid to play around bigger defenders inside, but shot just 2-of-13 between 3 and 10 feet, per Basketball-Reference.com. Though he made 36.4 percent of his 3s in the D-League, Frazier struggled from outside in the NBA, making just 29.4 percent of his 3 attempts and occasionally missing badly. Opponents played off him, daring him to shoot and clogging passing lanes.
The most striking aspect of Frazier's D-League stat line is his rebound rate, which was above average for a small forward, let alone a 6-foot-1 point guard. Frazier wasn't quite the same presence in the NBA, and his strength can only go so far to compensate for his stature. He was called for 3.9 fouls per 36 minutes and must watch his use of hand-checking to illegally steer defenders.
Cliff Alexander
Position: Forward
Experience: Rookie
2015 draft profile
Scouting report
+ Top-five recruit who went undrafted after a disappointing freshman season ended by eligibility questions
+ Undersized big man who can play above the rim. Presence on the offensive glass
+ Good weak-side shot-blocker with long arms, leaping ability. Below-average defensive rebounder
Analysis
A year ago, Cliff Alexander was entering Kansas with the highest of expectations as the third-ranked recruit in the ESPN 100. He averaged just 17.6 minutes per game before being sidelined by an investigation into whether his family had received improper benefits. Uncertain whether he'd be eligible to play, Alexander declared for the draft and was not chosen. After playing for the Brooklyn Nets this summer, he signed a two-year contract with Portland that is guaranteed for just $100,000, per BasketballInsiders.com.
Alexander, who is listed at 6-foot-8, has a classic undersized post player game. He's a good finisher and a threat on lob plays, but will have to diversify his offensive game against bigger opponents. Alexander is not yet a consistent midrange shooter, a major reason he shot just 38.3 percent during summer action. At this point, his best skill is probably his shot-blocking. His wingspan was measured at 7-foot-3 and a half at the pre-draft combine, and Alexander used it to block 7.7 percent of opponents' 2-point attempts in college. He projects as almost an average shot blocker for a center, let alone a power forward. But Alexander needs to play hard on a more consistent basis to make use of his strength and athleticism, particularly on the glass. He was good at securing second chances and below average on the defensive glass.
Luis Montero
Position: Guard
Experience: Rookie
Player profile
Scouting report
+ Raw, rangy wing who had not played above the community college level before signing with Blazers
+ Can make the NBA 3-pointer. Comfortable handling the ball and can make plays for teammates
+ Long arms and athleticism give him defensive potential. Must add strength
Analysis
A native of the Dominican Republic, Montero committed to play at South Florida but had to go to Westchester Community College to get his grades up. When an investigation shut down the Westchester basketball program and made it impossible for him to transfer to a D-I school, Montero decided to enter the draft. The Blazers signed him to a three-year contract as an undrafted free agent, albeit with just $100,000 guaranteed according to BasketballInsiders.com.
Montero flashed intriguing physical tools at summer league. He's listed at 6-foot-7, 185 pounds, with a wingspan reportedly measured at 7-foot-1. Montero will probably have to add some weight to his frame, but he's a good athlete for his size and has enough ballhandling ability to play shooting guard. He also flashed NBA 3-point range in Las Vegas, shooting 4-of-13 from beyond the arc. Portland turned Montero loose in its final summer game, and he responded with 17 points and nine rebounds -- also six turnovers -- in 35 minutes.