Trail Blazers mailbag - draft edition - where readers ask questions about the team, and The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Aaron Fentress provides a response.

The NBA draft is going down this week, with the first round on Wednesday and the second round on Thursday. The Blazers have two picks in both rounds, which should provide plenty of intrigue.

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Q: Should the Blazers draft for need or take the best player available? – Beau G.

A: Best player. Best player. Best player. Why? The Blazers need talent, and position at this point is irrelevant.

If we’re honest, the Blazers don’t truly have specific needs. The entire roster needs talent infusion.

Yes, center (Deandre Ayton), shooting guard (Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons), and point guard (Simong and Scoot Henderson) seemingly have long-term answers in place. But none have proven to be good enough to warrant passing on a talented player at their positions.

The only type of player I would not draft is a 6-foot-3 guard. The Blazers already have two. However, if the best player available when the team is on the board happens to be a small guard, the Blazers must take him and sort things out later down the line when the team is ready to win.

Also, never forget that in 1984, the Blazers passed up on shooting guard Michael Jordan mainly because they had Clyde Drexler at the same position.

Huge mistake.

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Q: Is this the least interesting draft for Blazers fans in years? It feels like the wind is still sucked out of the sails from the previous one because of what it meant for Damian Lillard’s future. - @Deafdux (X)

A: Yes and no. It’s certainly more interesting than the years when they didn’t have a pick or selected in the 20s. However, if we’re comparing this draft to 2022 and 2023, then yes, this year lacks sizzle.

However, the Blazers have two first-round picks and two second-round picks, plus future picks and players to dangle in trade talks.

Also, some enticing young players in this draft could, at the very least, add intrigue to the roster moving forward.

However, the Blazers’ chances of selecting a talent on the level of Shaedon Sharpe (No. 7 pick in 2022) or Scoot Henderson (No. 3 pick in 2023) are slim.

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Q: What would be the most encouraging move for the fans to see the Blazers make in the draft, and why? Emily T.

A: Pull off a trade that moves the Blazers into the top three. That would make the biggest splash. Whether that involves trading both first-round picks and/or players, such a move would be an aggressive play and give the Blazers a better chance of coming away with a star talent such as Matas Buzelis (G League) or Connecticut’s Stephon Castle.

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Q: In your opinion, what college player should the Blazers select with the No. 7 pick? Or should they parley that pick into multiple picks? – John B.

A: The only way I see the Blazers trading down is if they identify a group of players they rate about the same and feel they could get one of them later in the draft. In that case, why not trade back? But more than likely, they will select at No. 7.

Based on draft chatter, Connecticut center Donovan Clingan would be the choice should he fall to No. 7. Otherwise, a young forward like Tidjane Salaun (France), Colorado’s Cody Williams, or Ron Holland II from the G League Ignite could be the target.

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Q: If Clingan is still available at No. 7, as a fan since 1976, I’d go for him. Seems to have a great attitude, skills, and chemistry. I believe Clingan and Ayton could coexist as DA looks for the short jumpers. Both would give other teams headaches and challenges on which big to focus on when they play together. Your thoughts? – Bruce C.

A: All signs point to the Blazers selecting Clingan at No. 7 should he be available. He makes sense mainly because of his huge upside and because Ayton’s future in Portland isn’t a lock.

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Q: In 2017, the Blazers had multiple first-round picks and turned them into Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan. This time around, will they a) package the picks to try to move up in the draft or acquire a veteran, or b) stand pat and add 2 rookies? - Brent W.

Anything is possible. Should Blazers general manager Joe Cronin identify a player he covets who won’t be there at No. 7, he absolutely will explore moving up. This is not a very deep draft. So, giving up No. 7 and No. 14 to move up probably won’t sting too much. However, that also means that the value of No. 14 might not be enough to entice a team to drop down to No. 7.

As for acquiring a player in a trade for picks, that would be tricky. Such a player would have to be young enough to fit the team’s timeline around Sharpe and Henderson and be perceived to have a higher ceiling than the players Cronin could select at No. 7. Not many teams would seek to give up such a player.

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Q: Do you think Indiana center Kel’el Ware would be a good fit in Portland? Ware at power forward next to Deandre Ayton would be a formidable tandem on the front line. With Ware being a quality outside shooter with the ability to drive to the basket, he would pair well with Ayton’s mid-range game and rebounding. Not to mention Ware’s shot-blocking ability would be awesome coming from the weak side. I think if he is still available at No. 14, you have to take him. – Ralph R.

A: Ware, out of Indiana, certainly wouldn’t be a bad selection. But I’m not sure he could start at power forward. He began his career at Oregon, then found his footing at Indiana where the 7-footer shot 42.5% from three-point range and 60.9% from the field. However, he took just 40 threes last season (made 17). Ideally, a power forward next to Ayton could be a consistent three-point threat. If nothing else, Ware could back up Ayton and play sparingly at forward. Or, maybe he becomes the starting center should Ayton ultimately be traded.

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Q: In your estimation, what are the top 3-4 priorities for Trail Blazers management this offseason? - Ed. H

A: Well, the Blazers’ goal will be to secure a high pick in the 2025 NBA draft. So, don’t expect moves to be made to increase victories. The goal between now and next winter’s trade deadline should be to trade Malcolm Brogdon, Jerami Grant, and potentially Anfernee Simons in order to acquire draft picks or young talent.

-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)