NBA Mock Draft Pick #23 -- Robert Upshaw, Center, Washington
SB Nation's Blazers blog, BlazersEdge, explains the pick:
The Blazers get exactly what they needed from the draft: a solid defender at a position of need. Upshaw is a dynamic athlete, capable of taking over a game on the defensive end of the floor and sweeping clean the offensive glass. He has scary agility for someone who is seven feet tall, showed a great deal of improvement from his freshman year, and led the nation in blocks as a sophomore before being dismissed from the team.
Therein lies the risk. This is a DeMarcus Cousins situation: Upshaw could be an All-Star in four years, or he could be entirely out of the league. Being dismissed twice in two years from two different schools is definitely a large red flag, and Upshaw will need to work on controlling his demons at the NBA level.
With that in mind, we are talking a DeAndre Jordan/Ben Wallace/Rudy Gobert type player who is easily capable of averaging 12 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Upshaw's offensive game leaves a great deal to be desired, but his defensive instincts are already at an NBA level. Even if he only averages four or five points per game, he is a game changer in one of Portland's greatest weaknesses last season: interior defense.
1) Minnesota Timberwolves: KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS
2) Los Angeles Lakers: JAHLIL OKAFOR
3) Phoenix Suns (via Philadelphia 76ers): D'ANGELO RUSSELL
4) New York Knicks: JUSTISE WINSLOW
5) Orlando Magic: WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN
6) Philadelphia 76ers (via Sacramento Kings): MARIO HEZONJA
7) Denver Nuggets: EMMANUEL MUDIAY
8) Boston Celtics (via Detroit Pistons): KRISTAPS PRIZINGIS
9) Utah Jazz (via Charlotte Hornets): MYLES TURNER
10) Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat): STANLEY JOHNSON
11) Indiana Pacers: CAMERON PAYNE
12) Utah Jazz: DEVIN BOOKER
13) Miami Heat (from the 76ers via the Phoenix Suns): FRANK KAMINSKY
14) Oklahoma City Thunder: KELLY OUBRE
15) Atlanta Hawks: BOBBY PORTIS
16) Detroit Pistons (via Boston Celtics): JUSTIN ANDERSON
17) Phoenix Suns (via Milwaukee Bucks): MONTREZL HARRELL
18) Houston Rockets: JERIAN GRANT
19) Milwaukee Bucks (via Washington Wizards): KEVON LOONEY
20) Toronto Raptors: RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON
21) Dallas Mavericks: R.J. HUNTER
22) Utah Jazz (via Chicago Bulls): TREY LYLES
23) Portland Trail Blazers: ROBERT UPSHAW
24) Milwaukee Bucks (via Cleveland Cavaliers):
25) Memphis Grizzlies
26) San Antonio Spurs
27) Los Angeles Lakers
28) Boston Celtics
29) Brooklyn Nets
30) Golden State Warriors
