NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 19: March Madness edition
By Chris Stone
Miles Bridges
SF/PF, Michigan St.
Here, Bridges lands with the Portland Trail Blazers as a potential combo forward who can shoot it and guard multiple positions. Despite poor free throw numbers, Bridges has made 38.8 percent of his 3s this season on over five attempts per game. His shooting motion as a lefty is fluid and looks sustainable even in the face of the free throw red flag. Bridges is also capable as a slasher on the offensive end. He regularly throws down big dunks, but he struggles to create those chances for himself unless they’re in the open court. Right now, he’s best positioned to be a complimentary offensive piece.
On defense, Bridges is a versatile college talent. He’s strong with broad shoulders and can handle banging in the post against bigger defenders. With a 6-foot-9 wingspan, there are some questions about how much of that versatility will translate against larger players in the NBA. That versatility is the key to unlocking Bridges as a prospect on the defensive end.