2024 NBA Mock Draft: Timberwolves grab seasoned prospect, Wizards reach for center

7. Portland Trail Blazers - Matas Buzelis, G-League Ignite

The Portland Trail Blazers are a rare bottom-tier squad without a glaring hole on their roster. The average age of positions one through three is 21 years. The frontcourt is a tad older and comprises several above-average, handsomely paid players—Jerami Grant and DeAndre Ayton.

The Blazers are still in need of a major talent infusion. In the seventh slot, G-League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis is one of the more intriguing prospects who offers loads of potential. The 6-foot-9 wing is a versatile offensive talent. Although he's the size of a power forward, he plays like a two-guard.

Buzelis isn't there quite yet, but he projects as a quality playmaker down the road. The Ignite star averaged 1.9 assists to 2.1 turnovers per game this past season. What holds him back currently is a loose handle. His passing chops are superior to his ball-handling ability.

Scoring-wise, the 19-year-old is a good slasher and an adequate spot-up shooter. He only knocked down 27.3 percent of his looks from beyond the arc this past season. Playing for the Ignite, however, didn't do Buzelis any favors.

Without assessing Buzelis's numbers under too harsh of a microscope, he's a savvy player with a keen understanding of how to make a difference both offensive and defensively. Matching up one-on-one might not be a strong suit for the lanky forward, but his team-defensive potential is validated by averaging 0.9 steals and 2.1 blocks per game.