开拓者选择迦勒Swanigan 26日在2017 NBA Draft

ThePortland Trail Blazershave selectedPurdue BoilermakersF/CCaleb Swaniganwith the 26th pick of the 2017NBA Draft. The selection of the 6’9” Sophomore comeson the heels of a tradethat gave Portland another big man, 7-footerZach Collinsfrom Gonzaga. Swanigan averaged 18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per game with Purdue this season.

Swanigan, a stout 247 pound post player, will bolster Portland’s frontcourt. Using his impressive frame, he was able to bruise his way to Big Ten Player of the Year honors this year. While his height is a little below average at 6’9”, he makes up for it with a lengthy 7’3” wingspan.

Swanigan has an NBA body and has produced at a high level in his two seasons in college. He possesses a solid shooting stroke for a player his size. His 78.1 free throw percentage during his sophomore season suggests that his outside shot has a chance to develop at the next level. He has the ability to create opportunities for his teammates by using his size on screens, making him a legitimate threat if he can adjust to the speed of the NBA.

Portland has well documented struggles when it comes to covering pick-and-rolls on the perimeter. Swanigan will not provide immediate help in that department. While he is able to hold his position in the paint, he struggles to defend in space on defense, making him a liability when facing teams with proven outside threats.

Investing in a high-production college player at this stage of the draft is usually wise. Swanigan has a high floor, which could translate to useful production as early as his rookie season. If he is able to adjust to coachTerry Stotts’scheme in his first year, it will give President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey a fall-back option ifNoah Vonleh’s contract negations get complicated next summer or if Collins doesn’t work out.

Swanigan Profile fromSBNation Video

The breakdown fromSBNation’s Purdue Boilermaker’s site Hammer and Rails

DraftExpress Profile