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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Way too early edition

By Chris Stone

Jan 5, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) speaks to fans during the first half of a game between the Providence Friars and the Marquette Golden Eagles at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) speaks to fans during the first half of a game between the Providence Friars and the Marquette Golden Eagles at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) reacts near the end of the game against the Baylor Bears in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Baylor defeated USC 82-78. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) reacts near the end of the game against the Baylor Bears in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Baylor defeated USC 82-78. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chimezie Metu

PF/C, USC

The short story on USC’s Chimezie Metu is that he’s a great athlete with the potential to move laterally on the defensive end and a developing offensive game that includes the ability to attack opponents from the mid-range.

The longer story is that his mid-range game on the offensive end is valuable for teams because it helps open up the floor for his teammates and could eventually branch out to the 3-point line to provide a roster even more spacing. Metu is solid attacking opposing defenders off the bounce in this situation because they have to respect his mid-range jumper. He made nearly 60.0 percent of his short mid-range jump shots last season while hitting 40.0 percent of his long range ones, per Synergy Sports. His range is still developing, but the potential is there for him to be the type of modern big man the NBA is looking for.

Metu is listed at 6-foot-11, but hasn’t been officially measured since 2013 when he clocked in at 6-foot-9 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan. If he’s truly added inches to both his height and wingspan, he’ll be a much more enticing defensive prospect. Metu has good lateral agility and that’s necessary given the importance of pick-and-roll defense in the modern NBA. He also brings a bit of rim protection. Last season, Metu averaged 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes.