2017 NBA Mock Draft: The best choice each team can make

While we’re out here looking for two-way wings late in the first round, it’s also worth taking some shots on players with a verifiable NBA skill who could improve other aspects of their game in order to become productive players. That’s where Syracuse’s Tyler Lydon fits in. For all of his faults, Lydon is a near surefire bet to be a solid 3-point shooter at the power forward position, which makes him a valuable asset.

In his two seasons with the Orange, Lydon made 39.8 percent of his 3-point attempts. He showed range well beyond the NBA 3-point line and shot better than 80 percent from the free throw line, two skills that should make us more confident in projecting his shooting ability. Lydon’s volume was never elite because he was rarely the focal point of the offense, but getting shooting out of the power forward position is a near must in the modern NBA.

Lydon may eventually create additional value as a defender or as someone who can attack rotating close outs in a straight line. He has the athleticism to do both as reflected by the 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes he averaged in college and his highlight reel slams. However, it is his shooting that will earn him an NBA chance.

Learn more about Tyler Lydon at The Step Back.