NBA Draft: Looking at Recent Players Selected With 10th Overall Pick

2013: C.J. McCollum, SG, Portland Trail Blazers

Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) and guard

(0) high five after a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

Not until recently have we seen much from the no. 10 pick in the 2013 draft. Similar to how Miami’s pick will come into the league, C.J. McCollum was drafted into a situation where he had time to develop. Damian Lillard and Wes Matthews were firmly planted in Portland’s starting lineup and, even though the Trail Blazers needed depth, they were likely going to look to veteran talent to bolster its bench.

However, the recent injury to Matthews (and then the subsequent injury to Arron Afflalo) to has given McCollum an opportunity to step up. He’s done just that. McCollum is averaging 13 points and 4.3 rebounds in 32 minutes per game in the playoffs.

During the regular season, he averaged 6.8 points in 15.7 minutes per game. Since Matthews injury (his last game was March 5), McCollum averaged 10.9 points in 22.3 minutes per game.

McCollum is a solid 3-point shooter at 39.6 percent this season, and 45.5 percent in catch-and-shoot situations from beyond the arc. He’s not everything Matthews was, but he’s at least giving Portland some much needed offense off the bench. Going forward, he’s a solid bench option with room to grow.