February 18, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers center Steven Adams (13) dunks the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 51-42. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Portland Trail Blazers have made no secret of the fact they want to find a starting center. There have several rumors involving the Blazers chasing several veterans, including restricted free agents Tiago Splitter and Nikola Pekovic and Marcin Gortat and DeAndre Jordan, who are both under contract next season.
The Blazers obviously don’t believe Meyers Leonard, the 11th overall pick of last year’s draft, is ready to take on a large role.
The Blazers have a solid lineup of LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews and last year’s Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard and could use a center to round out the starting five.
That’s why the Blazers will select Pittsburgh center Steven Adams, who has been flying up draft boards as of late.
Adams, a native of New Zealand, averaged 7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 23.4 minutes per game as a freshman last season. Adams is very raw, but extremely talented. Since it may take a year or two for Adams to become a solid contributor, the Blazers could move this pick or select a wing and continue their pursuit of a veteran big man.
The Pick: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh, 7’0, 255 lbs.
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