8p9s Mock Draft 3.0: Trying to keep up with rumors

3-and-D wings are always at a premium in the modern NBA, and Semi Ojeleye has everything it takes to thrive in such a role. Ojeleye is a combo forward who will be comfortable guarding multiple positions, and his 3-point range already looks pretty solid. He’s on the older side at 22, but in his case, I think he will in fact come into the league able to contribute right away.

His offensive game is slightly elementary. His handle needs work and he can’t really create much other than back-to-the-basket turnaround jumpers. All that being said, role players don’t need to have every trick in the book under their belt. Ojeleye is destined to spot up in the corners and lock down opposing wings. He can do that well, and that’s what matters most.

Jusuf Nurkic very quickly became a hero in Portland, and the Blazers would certainly love to have him be their center of the future. The sample size is small, however, and it might not hurt to have a backup just in case.  Regardless, I have high hopes for Anzejs Pasecniks.

Pasecniks runs to the rim with all the force that his 7-foot-2 frame contains. He can move well on defense, but he has a ways to go toward understanding what’s happening in front of him. Terry Stotts should help with that.

On offense, it’s unclear how far out he’ll be able to stretch his game, but with everything else that he brings, a 3-point shot would be pretty gravy.