2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 25: Lakers at No. 1, Knicks at No. 2

By Chris Stone | Apr 27, 2017

Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 18, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) dunks the ball during the first half against the Seton Hall Pirates at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Josh Hart

SG, Villanova

Draft status: Automatically eligible

If the NBA Playoffs taught us anything about the Oklahoma City Thunder, it is that their roster is filled with too many one-way players, that is guys who are only good on either offense or defense, not both. It’s an understandable problem. General manager Sam Presti expected to have Kevin Durant this season and had to re-work the roster on the fly after Durant left for the Golden State Warriors this summer. Now, though, Presti will have to react by finding some nice two-way options to surround Russell Westbrook. That’s why Villanova’s Josh Hart comes off the board here.

Hart’s floor is as a 3-and-D prospect. He made 38.9 percent of his 532 3-point attempts as a college player, improving his frequency and free throw shooting as his career progressed. Assuming he can move that out to the NBA 3-point line, he’ll be a valuable enough offensive asset. Defensively, Hart is a gamer. He competes hard on every position, is strong and does well harassing opposing offensive players. He’ll be somewhat switchable as well.

If Hart can add more, perhaps as a secondary ball-handler in some lineups, then he’ll be worth more. He occasionally ran pick-and-roll at Villanova this season and succeeded at getting to his left hand, but may struggle against the length and athleticism of NBA opponents.