The Portland Trail Blazers held another predraft workout on Monday in advance of Thursday’s NBA draft with a group of six players headlined by projected lottery pick and former Ohio State guard Malaki Branham.
Also on hand were Overtime Elite forward Dominick Barlow, New Zealand Breakers (Australia’s NBL) guard Hugo Besson, Murray State guard Tevin Brown, Paris Basketball (French League) center Ismael Kamagate and Houston guard Taze Moore.
Barlow, Kamagate and Besson are projected to be second-round picks in some mock drafts. The Blazers have second-round picks at No. 36 and No. 51.
Branham, 19, averaged 13.7 points and 3.6 rebounds last season for the Buckeyes while shooting 49.8% from the field 41.6% on threes. The 6-foot-5 Branham, named third-team all-Big Ten, became the first freshman to earn Big Ten honors since D’Angelo Russell (2014-15).
Branham figures to almost certainly be available when the Blazers select at No. 7. He is projected to be a late lottery pick in the vast majority of mock drafts. NBA.com’s consensus mock draft his him going off the board most commonly at No. 14.
Branham is one of several players the Blazers worked out who don’t appear to be a high value at No. 7. The others include Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan, LSU forward Tari Eason and Arizona guard Dalen Terry.
This is an indication that the Blazers are at the very least entertaining scenarios in which they would trade back in the draft either to acquire multiple picks or as part of a deal for a veteran player they don’t deem to be worth only the No. 7 pick.
The Blazers have mainly been linked in trade rumors to Atlanta forward John Collins, Detroit forward Jerami Grant and Toronto forward OG Anonuby.
Branham said he left Ohio State early simply because he, his agent and Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann believed he could be a lottery pick. They all could very well be proven correct. He said the Blazers were the 10th franchise he has worked out for during a long process.
“It’s been good,” he told reporters after his workout. “A lot of traveling. But I’m enjoying it. It’s here, basically. I’m done. Head to New York. I’m excited.”
Branham said he believes the Blazers could very well target him despite having Anfernee Simons and Josh Hart at his position.
“It’s definitely likely,” he said. “They are probably going to draft a guard or a big. I don’t know.”
Branham said he has been invited to the draft in New York, making him the eighth such player to work out for the Blazers.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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