2018 NBA Mock Draft: What do playoff teams need?

Here’s where the thrust of this week’s mock really comes into play. It was Portland I had in mind when I started to match prospects from this year’s class with the needs showing most blatantly from the teams battling in the playoffs. Evans would solve a lot of Portland’s problems.

His defensive ferocity would help cover for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, either on the court together or separately. Coach Terry Stotts loves to stagger the two players to keep the team’s offense float, but he has largely been unable to find a third guard who complements the star duo. Evans, who posted a 2.6 steal percentage and 3.7 block percentage in his junior season while also shooting 37 percent from distance, fits the mold from a statistical perspective. At 6-6 with incredible length, he also looks like the type of player physically who could make smaller lineups work or set the tone defensively alongside one star.

In their series against the Pelicans, it’s become clear that smaller lineups will be more effective against Anthony Davis and the dynamic Pelicans. But because the Blazers have so few defensive players who can shoot, it has been difficult to compete. Evans would be a step in the right direction for the team’s lineup versatility.