After a disappointing 27-55 season, the Trail Blazers had high hopes heading into the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery with a 37.2 percent chance at a top-four pick and a nine percent chance at the No. 1 overall pick, eventually sliding back one spot to the No. 7 selection.
Led by franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard, the Trail Blazers aren't quite rebuilding, but rather re-tooling around their superstar, with some intriguing options at their disposal in the upcoming draft.
However, the biggest question that the Blazers face on draft day is whether they even keep their first-round selection.
The Blazers want to be competitive next season and adding a secondary star alongside Lillard is ideal for that scenario, with Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant a reported target to acquire via trade using the No. 7 pick.
Will the Blazers look to secure a potential future star with their draft pick or maximize the window they have with Lillard?
So where do the Blazers land in the draft order? Here is everything you need to know ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Trail Blazers draft picks 2022: When does Portland pick?
The Blazers have the No. 7 overall pick in the first round and one second-round selection.
- Round 1, No. 7: Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky
- Round 2, No. 57: Jabari Walker, Colorado
Trail Blazers 2022 NBA draft order
| Round | Pick |
|---|---|
| 1 | 7. Shaedon Sharpe |
| 2 | 57. Jabari Walker |
Trail Blazers draft needs
The Trail Blazers are committed to rebuilding on the fly around franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard.
- Perimeter size and length: With 6-3 Anfernee Simons taking on a lead role alongside the 6-2 Lillard, Portland once again finds itself short on perimeter size and length. Whether the Blazers trade the 7th pick for a player like Grant or draft a top forward remains to be seen.
- Rim protection: Jusuf Nurkic is heading into unrestricted free agency. Even if the Blazers bring him back, they still need to shore up a frontcourt that did not feature any other players over 6-9 in 2021-22.
MORE: Ranking top sleeper candidates in 2022 NBA Draft
Trail Blazers mock draft 2022
Here are the latest projections for the Trail Blazers, according to TSN's draft guru Kyle Irving:
Round 1, No. 7: Dyson Daniels, G League Ignite
The Trail Blazers need help on the defensive end and Daniels is one of the best and most versatile defenders in this draft class.
At 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Daniels can guard up and down the positional chart with his size, length and speed. He's a jumbo playmaker who can make life easier for Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons when he has the ball in his hands, but he can also play off the ball and score as a slasher.
After spending a year with the Ignite, he'll be ready to make an impact immediately, which fits Lillard's win-now timeline more than some of these other prospects.
Round 2, No. 36: Wendell Moore Jr., F, Duke
Round 2, No. 57. (via MEM): Trevion Williams, C, Purdue
