2018 NBA Mock Draft: Way too early edition

If you were sick of debating whether or not De’Aaron Fox could make it as an NBA point guard without a jump shut, then prepare yourself for another round of the same with Trevon Duval, a 6-foot-3 5-star recruit who is headed to Duke. Fox and Duval aren’t necessarily similar players, but they share a flaw that will define their game in the NBA if it doesn’t improve.

Duval is a high level shot creator at the rim with the ability to break down defenders off the bounce, the athleticism to finish above them at the rim and the creativity to get around them when they get in his way. Being a high volume scorer on shots close to the basket is obviously valuable, but point guards in the NBA today — for the most part — need to be able to shoot the ball a little bit lest they just face defenses going under them in the pick-and-roll. Duval’s awkward shooting motion hasn’t produced results from the mid-range or beyond the 3-point arc yet and he’ll need to improve if he wants to max out his potential.

With the Blue Devils, he’ll be handed the keys to a high powered offense that will also feature Gary Trent Jr. and Grayson Allen in the backcourt, but if the team goes with two big men, he could face some troubles in his one year of college hoops.