4 Undrafted Gems the Blazers Should Target After the 2026 NBA Draft

Just because the Blazers don't have a pick in this year's draft doesn't mean the door is shut on new talent acquisition. Undrafted players have carved out a solid niche in today's NBA. In fact, players like Jose Alvarado, Austin Reaves, Naz Reid, and Fred VanVleet all came into the league with the same means available to Portland in this year's draft. These players have demonstrated that undrafted talent can make a significant impact in the NBA.

With a handful of Blazers entering free agency this year and Caleb Love a two-way promotion candidate, the Blazers will likely be bargain shopping after the 60th pick. This means they will be looking for talented players who can contribute to the team without breaking the bank. Undrafted players often present a unique opportunity for teams to find hidden gems that can make a significant impact at a lower cost. This approach can be beneficial for teams looking to rebuild or retool their roster without sacrificing too much salary cap space.

Here's another slate of players the Blazers should take a long look at when the time comes. One player who deserves consideration is Vsevolod Ishchenko, a Russian player currently playing well for Lokomotiv Kuban in the VTB United League. Ishchenko's numbers have steadily improved since entering the Russian system, and his per-36 averages of 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block per game with 51/45/78 shooting splits are impressive. His ability to score at all three levels, rebound, and defend makes him an attractive option for the Blazers.

Ishchenko's path to the NBA is not as conventional as some of the other players on the list. However, his talent and production are undeniable. He has improved every year in the Russian system, and his numbers suggest that he is ready for the next level. While the VTB United League may not be the same level of competition as the NCAA or NBA, Ishchenko's performance is impressive nonetheless. He has the potential to be a versatile contributor for the Blazers, and his salary would likely be a fraction of what he would cost if he were drafted.

Another player to consider is Elias Ralph, a Pacific University player with an unconventional path to basketball. Ralph started his basketball career playing for University of Victoria in Canada, winning three straight titles before transferring to Pacific University for two seasons. During his time in Canada, Ralph improved every year, and his per-36 averages of 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block with 47/41/86 shooting splits suggest that he has a well-rounded game. His ability to defend both on and off the ball and score at all three levels makes him an attractive option for the Blazers.

Ralph's biggest question mark is the level of competition he faced at Pacific University. However, his performance against first-round talents AJ Dybantsa and Allen Graves suggests that he has the ability to compete at a higher level. Ralph's defensive abilities and scoring versatility make him a valuable asset, and his salary would likely be relatively low if he were signed as an undrafted free agent.

Bryce Harris is another player who deserves consideration. The Howard University guard has a well-rounded game, including a block per game in 32 minutes and over a steal per game. His ability to defend, rebound, and score makes him a valuable asset. Harris' shooting percentages are impressive, especially for a guard, and his two-point percentage is fantastic. His defensive abilities and scoring versatility make him an attractive option for the Blazers.

Harris' ability to lead his team to an NCAA tournament berth last year with a gritty win over UMBC and a good showing against eventual champions Michigan suggests that he has the potential to be a leader on the Blazers. His ability to score 21 points against a top team in the country is impressive, and his defensive abilities suggest that he can compete at a high level. While his salary would likely be higher than some of the other players on the list, Harris is a versatile contributor who could make a significant impact for the Blazers.

Donovan Dent is a small guard who may get hunted on defense in the NBA. However, being taken as an undrafted free agent by a team with a solid guard rotation could give him the opportunity to develop his skills and gain equity as a playmaker and shotmaker. Dent's shooting percentages dipped this year, but he has improved every year in terms of assists and decreased his turnovers dramatically. His 4.33 assist-to-turnover ratio is a historic mark, and his ability to set up teammates for easy baskets and limit turnovers suggests that he has the potential to be a valuable contributor.

In contrast to some of the other players on the list, Dent's numbers dipped this year. However, his ability to improve his assist-to-turnover ratio and score consistently suggests that he has the potential to be a solid contributor. His defensive abilities and scoring versatility make him an attractive option for the Blazers, and his salary would likely be relatively low if he were signed as an undrafted free agent.

The second round of the NBA Draft is set to take place on June 24, and the undrafted shopping spree will commence just seconds afterward. While the chances of the Blazers finding a hidden gem may seem slim, players like Ishchenko, Ralph, Harris, and Dent suggest that there are undrafted players who can make a significant impact.

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