Cooper Flagg may be the runaway favorite for the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA Draft, but the 2025 NCAA Tournament is packed with talent trying to raise their stock.
That’s good news for a Portland Trail Blazers team that played itself out of top-odds contention a while ago.
For the Trail Blazers, this is a chance to scout prospects who can help shape the rebuild. Mostly, they should watch prospects around their projected draft spot who fit long-term needs. Whether reinforcing the frontcourt with more size or adding dynamic scoring depth on the wing, Portland must aim to escape the rebuild.
One player type we’re not considering is small guards. With Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons already in the mix, using a valuable pick on an undersized ball-handler doesn’t make sense.
Instead, the focus should be on players ready to fill the potential vacancies of Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams, or Jerami Grant, all of whom will be shopped on the trade market this offseason.
Also, we’ll consider an option for Deni Avdija’s backup at small forward. And we’ll start with that player—one of Flagg’s star teammates at Duke—right up top.
Kon Knueppel – SF, Duke
2024-25 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 48.0 FG%, 37.5 3PT%
Kon Knueppel is a must-watch prospect if the Blazers want shooting and basketball IQ on the wing.
Knueppel, a 6’7” forward, is one of college basketball’s most efficient perimeter scorers. He has a polished jumper with good mechanics, hits 39.2 percent from deep on 5.6 attempts per game, and shows excellent shot selection all season.
Defensively, Knueppel will face a learning curve against quicker wings early in his professional career. But he has a strong frame, and he’s always known to compete.
Portland could use his shooting prowess to open up the floor for Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. With Avdija likely holding down the starting small forward spot, Knueppel would be a valuable floor-spacing backup.
Asa Newell – PF, Georgia
2024-25 Stats: 15.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 54.1 FG%, 29.9 3PT%
A hyper-athletic, 6’9” forward with an improving offensive game, Asa Newell has the tools to be a high-impact defender in the NBA.
Newell moves well laterally and has the length to contest shots inside and out. Offensively, he’s shown flashes of a reliable jump shot but thrives in transition and around the rim.
Portland should monitor Newell closely, as his defensive versatility could pair well with a backcourt that needs strong interior protection. Jerami Grant and Robert Williams’ future with the team is uncertain, and Newell has the potential to grow into a long-term replacement as an energy big who can defend multiple spots.
Khaman Maluach – C, Duke
2024-25 Stats: 8.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.3 BPG, 69.6 FG%, 16.7 3PT%
Few prospects in the 2025 class offer the combination of size and mobility Khaman Maluach possesses.
Maluach, Duke’s 7’1” center, is a shot-blocker who can run the floor and finish plays above the rim. His defensive instincts make him an intriguing long-term option for a Blazers team that seems unlikely to keep Deandre Ayton beyond his current contract.
With Ayton’s long-term fit in Portland uncertain, Maluach could be a perfect successor. His ability to alter shots and control the paint would help solidify a defense that has struggled recently but is showing signs of life with Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara leading the charge.
Derik Queen – PF/C, Maryland
2023-24 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 52.9 FG%, 14.3 3PT%
Derik Queen is a skilled post-scorer with impressive footwork, and he was one of the most productive big men in college basketball this season.
At 6’10”, 240 pounds, Queen has the size to battle inside and the ability to put the ball on the floor and make plays. His passing is a big plus, as he’s shown he can facilitate offense from the post and find open teammates.
For the Blazers, Queen represents a high-IQ big man who could complement the second unit with a steady interior presence. That’s especially true if, let’s say, Anfernee Simons is traded, and one of Shaedon or Scoot is moved to the starting lineup.
Having an offensively skilled big off the bench becomes much more critical in that scenario.
Tre Johnson – SG/SF, Texas (Eliminated)
2024-25 Stats: 19.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.0 SPG 39.2 3PT%
Tre Johnson’s freshman season ended Wednesday night when Texas fell to Xavier in the First Four. Technically, the elimination keeps him out of what most consider “The Tournament,”—but he got a taste of the national stage, and national audiences got a taste of what he brings to the table with his 23 points and 4-of-7 shooting from three.
If you’ve followed mock drafts this season, you already know that it’s Flagg at No. 1, Dylan Harper at No. 2, and Ace Bailey at No. 3. After that, the most popular name at No. 4 is V.J. Edgecombe from Baylor. And then, rounding out the Top 5, it’s often times Johnson.
One of the best pure scorers in the 2025 draft class, Johnson is a dynamic weapon who can create his own shot at all three levels. Whether pulling up from deep or attacking off the dribble, Johnson has the type of skill set that translates well to the next level. At 6’6”, he has enough size for Portland to feel comfortable, too.
Of course, the one scenario where this makes the most sense is where Anfernee Simons is on another team. If the Blazers pull the trigger on a Simons deal this summer, Johnson becomes an immediate target, even if Joe Cronin has to trade up to make it happen.
Where the Blazers land in the lottery ultimately dictates who becomes a realistic target. But anything can happen when the regular season ends and trade season begins.
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