The experts say the 2024 NBA draft lacks star power and depth. The field is considered to be the weakest in at least a decade.

But make no mistake. Star players will come out of this draft. They always do.

The Portland Trail Blazers’ challenge is to find that diamond in the rough. They will have two chances to do so with picks No. 7 and No. 14 in the first round.

This draft has been compared to the 2013 draft in terms of lacking high-end prospects.

In that draft, the Blazers selected CJ McCollum at No. 10. He ultimately became the third most productive player and second-highest score with 14,231 points so far. The top two players are Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, taken 15th, and Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert, selected on that night by the Utah Jazz at No. 27.

Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP. Gobert is a four-time defensive player of the year.

Victor Oladipo, the second pick, became a two-time all-star, but his career has been hindered by injuries.

The Blazers’ challenge is to identify and select at least one player who unexpectedly becomes a star or a legitimate starter. If they fail with both picks, the ramifications will be felt for years.

DRAFT DETAILS

When: The first round will be televised at 5 p.m. Wednesday on ABC, and the second round will air on ESPN at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Where: The first round will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The second round will be held at ESPN Seaport District Studios in Manhattan, New York.

Blazers’ picks: The Blazers have the No. 7 and No. 14 picks in the first round. Plus, the No. 34 and No. 40 picks in the second round.

Team needs: The Blazers, 21-61 last season, have needs all over the roster, but the most glaring area is forward. Jerami Grant is the only starting-caliber forward on the team, and he’s 30. He doesn’t fit the team’s timeline around young guards Shaedon Sharpe, 21, and Scoot Henderson, 20.

However, given the team’s lack of proven, impact talent, the Blazers will likely select the best players available rather than seek to fill specific needs.

RECENT DRAFT-RELATED LINKS

NBA mock draft roundup: Who draft experts - and our very own Fentress and Oram - see the Blazers selecting

Blazer Focused podcast: Draft preview

Trail Blazers mailbag: NBA draft picks, fan expectations, top offseason priorities?

Bill Oram: Prepare for a summer of dealing for the Trail Blazers

Draft prospect profiles: Zach Edey, Purdue; Tidjane Salaun, France; Tristan da Silva, Colorado; Kyle Filipowski, Duke; Donovan Clingan, Cody Williams, Colorado; Connecticut; Dalton Knecht, Tennessee; Jared McCain, Duke; Dillon Jones, Weber State; Cam Christie, Minnesota; Harrison Ingram, North Carolina; Tyler Smith, G League; Kel’El Ware, Indiana; Jaylon Tyson, California; Adem Bona, UCLA.

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