The younger brother of blossoming Thunder wing [Jalen Williams](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/player/jalen-williams-z2FafX0QarjHmDDy/), Cody Williams profiles as the kind of prized high-end prospect who can pressure the rim, pass, make plays and potentially defend multiple positions. Standing 6-7 with a 7-1 wingspan, Williams showed the ability to play some point guard this past season in addition to attacking in transition and slashing from the wing in a straight line. He struggled to finish after an ankle injury sapped some of his explosiveness, but in his 14 games before the injury, he averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 60.6 percent from the field. He had a strong workout in Portland.
The Blazers should take another bite at filling their bigger wing role, and evaluators largely believe Williams’ upside is quite high. However, Portland is another team league sources are connecting with a lot of players following massive groups of workouts. The consensus is they have interest in Clingan, but he’s already off the board in this mock.
Edey was the best player in college basketball, averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and more than two blocks per game on his way to back-to-back National Player of the Year awards. He establishes position anywhere and everywhere on the court because of his size and strength, yet possesses remarkable touch around the rim. One could make the case he was the best screen-setter in the country with the way he crushed guards trying to get through and rolled to the rim for deep post-ups or easy buckets. Edey improved defensively over his time in college, becoming an impactful drop-coverage pick-and-roll defender who took up enough space to dissuade guards from driving and finishing around the basket.
The issue with his fit in the NBA is obvious: He’s 7-4 and doesn’t move particularly well laterally. Can he stop ballhandlers from turning the corner on him? Can he get back in transition in the up-and-down NBA?
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Use reader mode or subscribe to read the whole article. I’d be pretty happy with these picks and they seem like realistic targets. From the article:
# 7. Portland Trail Blazers
# [Cody Williams](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/college-basketball/player/cody-williams-keKNpnhLWW4hJVXY/) | 6-7 wing | 19 years old | [Colorado](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/college-basketball/team/colorado-buffaloes-college-basketball/)
The younger brother of blossoming Thunder wing [Jalen Williams](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/player/jalen-williams-z2FafX0QarjHmDDy/), Cody Williams profiles as the kind of prized high-end prospect who can pressure the rim, pass, make plays and potentially defend multiple positions. Standing 6-7 with a 7-1 wingspan, Williams showed the ability to play some point guard this past season in addition to attacking in transition and slashing from the wing in a straight line. He struggled to finish after an ankle injury sapped some of his explosiveness, but in his 14 games before the injury, he averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 60.6 percent from the field. He had a strong workout in Portland.
The Blazers should take another bite at filling their bigger wing role, and evaluators largely believe Williams’ upside is quite high. However, Portland is another team league sources are connecting with a lot of players following massive groups of workouts. The consensus is they have interest in Clingan, but he’s already off the board in this mock.
# 14. Portland Trail Blazers (via [Warriors](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/team/warriors/))
# [Zach Edey](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/college-basketball/player/zach-edey-8NciuPoLjHBlerwj/) | 7-4 center | 22 years old | Purdue
Edey was the best player in college basketball, averaging 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and more than two blocks per game on his way to back-to-back National Player of the Year awards. He establishes position anywhere and everywhere on the court because of his size and strength, yet possesses remarkable touch around the rim. One could make the case he was the best screen-setter in the country with the way he crushed guards trying to get through and rolled to the rim for deep post-ups or easy buckets. Edey improved defensively over his time in college, becoming an impactful drop-coverage pick-and-roll defender who took up enough space to dissuade guards from driving and finishing around the basket.
The issue with his fit in the NBA is obvious: He’s 7-4 and doesn’t move particularly well laterally. Can he stop ballhandlers from turning the corner on him? Can he get back in transition in the up-and-down NBA?
Despite those concerns, Edey appears to be rising right now. It would be a surprise to see him get outside of the top 19. I have Portland selecting him with the final pick of the lottery, as the Blazers are exploring frontcourt options. In particular, Edey’s screening would be a godsend for guards like [Scoot Henderson](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/player/scoot-henderson-mmeSrau3dPbRh2Wr/) and [Anfernee Simons](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nba/player/anfernee-simons-ktISGwwkceERHS8j/) after last season’s Portland group struggled to gain any sort of separation.
**34. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hornets):** Tyler Smith | 6-9 big | 19 years old | G League Ignite
**40. Portland Trail Blazers (via Hawks):** [Dillon Jones](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/college-basketball/player/dillon-jones-CRHc2vqwSbaFGjYI/) | 6-4 guard | 22 years old | [Weber State](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/college-basketball/team/weber-state-wildcats-college-basketball/)