2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 21: Malik Monk to the Sixers

By Chris Stone | Mar 30, 2017

Mar 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) brings the ball up court against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 7, 2017; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Mikal Bridges (25) blocks shot by Georgetown Hoyas guard L.J. Peak (0) during the second half at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated Georgetown 75-64. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Mikal Bridges

SG/SF, Villanova

The Oklahoma City Thunder have found success in a post-Kevin Durant world by turning the ball over to Russell Westbrook and letting him run wild. Building a team around his strength should be the priority and adding 3-and-D wing talent is part of the solution. Villanova’s Mikal Bridges fits the mold well.

Bridges is a 6-foot-7 20-year old with excellent defensive versatility and a 3-point shot. His long wingspan helped produce 2.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per 40 minutes during his sophomore season. With many NBA teams rolling out lineups with three wings, Bridges should be able to guard any of them.

He also turned himself into a good 3-point shooter this season, making 39.3 percent of his attempts on over four 3s per 40 minutes. Bridges improved jumper came with an improved performance from the foul line as well.

Bridges is not a prospect without problems. Notably, he struggles to create offense for himself and others off the dribble and he needs to add strength to his frame, but Bridges also has a well-defined NBA role: guard a bunch of different positions well and shoot 3s. If a player can slot in easily into that role, then he’s well worth a first round pick.