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NBA Draft 2017: 5 players that were taken by the wrong team

By Akash Anavarathan

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA prospects pose for a group photo before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA prospects pose for a group photo before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tyler Lydon, NBA Draft, Nuggets
Feb 22, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) controls the ball against the defense of Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) during the second half at the Carrier Dome. The Orange won 78-75. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Tyler Lydon, F, Denver Nuggets

What did the Nuggets do in the NBA Draft on Thursday? They traded back with the Utah Jazz, who desperately wanted to add Donovan Mitchell. In the process, the Denver Nuggets acquired forward Trey Lyles and Tyler Lydon in exchange for a higher draft pick tonight that the Utah Jazz eventually ended up using on Donovan Mitchell.

Lydon spent two seasons at Syracuse, where he was primarily a stretch-four and very capable of hitting the 3-point shot. He averaged 13.2 points per game this past season, he shot 40 percent from 3-point range. 

Some of the biggest concerns around Lydon’s game include his physical stature. He has a slender frame, though it’s been reported that he’s added 15 pounds of muscle. There are also question marks surrounding his defense. His ability to get off shots with a quick release and score has never been in doubt.

Which brings me to my point. What does Trey Lyles’ skillset include? A lot of the things that Lydon does well. Lyles has been a scorer at the power forward position, while being somewhat of a defensive liability.

So it seems redundant to have the same type of player at the position, even though Denver is guard and center heavy. From a Nuggets’ perspective, it just seemed like if you’re going to add Lyles, continue to look elsewhere instead of Lydon.