NBA Mock Draft 8.0: Raptors take a high-risk prospect; Lakers get a steal in round 1

4. Portland Trail Blazers – Brandon Miller, F, Alabama

If the Portland Trail Blazers manage to go on the clock with Brandon Miller still on the board, there shouldn’t be much of a discussion. The Damian Lillard trade whispers have been ratcheted up in recent weeks and there’s a chance that by the time the NBA Draft rolls around, they could be at an all-time high. Though, you’d have to wonder if a prospect as talented as Brandon Miller could help change the tune of Lillards’ current unhappiness with the organization (if that’s how you want to categorize it).

At least on paper, there’s a lot to like about Miller. At 6-foot-9, and because of his natural and seamless scoring ability, he’s drawn some comparisons to Kevin Durant. Even though I believe that those comparisons are quite unfair, that should tell you all you need to know about his long-term potential as an NBA player.

The big question surrounding Miller’s on-the-court projection revolves around his ability to rise to the occasion and whether or not he will be durable at the next level. His struggles during Alabama’s NCAA Tournament run also haven’t helped his prospects much either.

That said, he has star potential and if he lands in the right situation, he could blossom pretty quickly.