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

Syracuse’s Tyler Lydon is a 6-foot-9 combo forward who will likely spend most of his time in the NBA as a stretch four. The 21-year old has a certifiable 3-point shot that should translate. In two seasons with the Orange, Lydon made 39.8 percent of his 246 attempts while taking over four 3s per 40 minutes and shooting 80.9 percent from the foul line. His mechanics are good with a high release point and he has a willingness to launch from several feet behind the 3-point line in order to help space the floor even further.

Lydon is improving as someone who can attack of the dribble against close outs, something he wasn’t asked to do often at Syracuse as he was a relatively low usage player. He does have the athleticism, though, to finish at the rim assuming he can improve his ability to get there.

As a defender, there are questions about where Lydon will fit. Syracuse’s zone defense likely didn’t do him many favors in terms of developing his ability to defend in space, but Lydon should still provide some weak side rim protection to NBA teams. Whether or not he improves on the defensive end will make the difference in whether he can work his way into a starting rotation in time.

Learn more about Tyler Lydon at The Step Back.