Portland Trail Blazers Prepare 2025 NBA Draft Strategy After Lottery Setback

The Portland Trail Blazers, showing marked improvement in the 2024-25 NBA season with a 36-46 record, hold the No. 11 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft and face pivotal decisions to bolster their roster. Analysts project they may select Maryland's Derik Queen, a skilled 6'10" big man with strong scoring and passing abilities, despite concerns over his shooting fitting Portland's needs. Meanwhile, within the Blazers' camp, small forward Toumani Camara has advocated for drafting Arizona's Carter Bryant, a 6'7" versatile 3-and-D wing known for elite defense, athleticism, and solid three-point shooting, who impressed during his freshman season and the NBA Draft Combine. Bryant's addition is seen as a potential defensive upgrade for Portland, which already ranked highly in defensive metrics after the All-Star break. Deni Avdija, a young forward on the Blazers, has also shown significant development, with some suggesting he could reach All-Star status, highlighting the team's promising core. Meanwhile, the franchise's ownership is undergoing a formal sale process, adding off-court uncertainty as the team prepares for the draft and offseason roster moves.