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With the NBA Draft Lottery complete, the Blazers walked away holding pair of lottery picks in next month's NBA Draft. Portland holds the seventh and 14th picks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
This year's draft is considered to be a bit of a downer compared to recent years. While there is talent to be found, there isn't considered to be a significant number of top-tier players in the 2024 draft. This means that, while a transcendent superstar may not be had, there are still quality rotation players to be found up and down the board.
With the uncertainty surround this year's draft, there are multiple players in play for the Blazers with the seventh (and 14th) pick next month. One such player is Bourg-en-Bresse forward Zaccarie Risacher.
The general feeling around Risacher has changed a handful of times over the past couple of years. He's an outside candidate for the No. 1 overall pick, a year after a disappointing showing at the Nike Hoop Summit had scouts questioning his NBA future.
Age, production and projected fit paint the 18-year-old wing as one of the safe prospects in the 2024 NBA draft class.
Zaccharie Risacher strengths
* Shot-making/perimeter scoring. Risacher hit at over 40 percent from three this season and is a consistent perimeter shooter, especially off the catch. He features a quick, high release that he's able to get off quickly. He'll occasionally hit a pull-up or step-back, and while he isn't as effective finishing when creating his own shot, he has a chance to grow in this area.
* Defensive upside. Between Risacher's on ball defense, versatility and court coverage, he has the chance to be a very effective NBA defender with his positional size, length and lateral foot speed.
* Runner game. Though Risacher isn't the most effective ball-handler, he will get run off the 3-point line because of his ability to be a deep threat. He's also demonstrated a comfort level making one-foot runners in the lane, which is a critical shot for a scorer who won't be a major ball-screen or isolation threat early.
Zaccharie Risacher weaknesses
* Shot Creation. Risacher's level of involvement is often dictated by the game flow, as opposed to him being able to take more control. Part of that is related to his current role, but even when he does create, his handle seems vulnerable and limiting in the halfcourt. A lot of the self-creation he flashes results in poor quality jumpers. He doesn't work his way to the free-throw line often. And he averages fewer than a single assist per game.
* Free throws. With improved shooting the key reason behind Risacher's resurgence toward the top of draft boards this year, it's somewhat surprising to see that he makes only 69.4 percent of his free throws.
Zaccharie Risacher fit for Blazers
Every single NBA team could use an athletic, three-and-D wing, which seems like the most likely outcome for Risacher. For the Blazers, that's the position that is their biggest need as they look to build upon the handful of foundational pieces they already have. While Risacher is expected to go in the top-5, this year's NBA Draft has so many questions that multiple teams are likely to have identified different players as their top targets.
If Rishacher slips to the seventh pick, the Blazers should grab him without a moment's hesitation.
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