2018 NBA Mock Draft: The summer is decision time
G/F. Villanova. Mikal Bridges. 7. player. 156.
The fit here is almost too perfect. One could make the argument that a LeBron James team has never picked in the lottery simply because James has no use for an undeveloped guy who will play shoddy defense and miss shots. James’ almost legendary impatience with guys who can’t make open looks would not bode well for a rookie.
Bridges rejects all that. He looks like the most NBA-ready player in this lottery outside maybe Deandre Ayton, and his particular skill set happens to be the most coveted thing in the league these days. The 3-and-D wing just won his second national championship at Villanova, showing the ability to mesh on a team of incredibly talented players and sacrifice for play-makers like his teammate and the Naismith Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson.
James is a whole other level of difficult to deal with, notoriously pushing teammates away when they do not satisfy his goals, as all the best players in history have done. In reality, few rookies have played big roles on championship teams. But with Jeff Green, Jose Calderon and Rodney Hood all potentially leaving this summer, finding young depth should continue to be a priority in Cleveland.
If any rookie can earn James’ trust, Bridges is a fantastic bet.