The Blazers continue to find success despite flawed stars and questionable depth. P.J. Washington is a safe pick in the late first round, adding defensive versatility and some intriguing offensive tools to the frontcourt mix.
While slightly undersized, Washington has the strength and wingspan to defend 4-5 positions. Outside the top 15, his defensive ceiling might be the highest in the 2019 draft. He can learn behind Al-Farouq Aminu in the rotation.
Washington has improved his three-point shooting to 37 percent on 1.7 attempts per game, significant growth that speaks to his work ethic. He’s also a viable face-up scorer, building on the promising flashes from his freshman campaign.