2018 NBA Mock Draft: Where do Doncic, Ayton and Bagley land?
. G/F. Villanova. Mikal Bridges. 6. player. 24
Bridges is the guy who, according to Bulls fans on the internet when I link them to a player they’re unhappy with, fits much better in Chicago than most prospects in this year’s lottery. To start, he’s the only true wing of the (mostly) consensus top-10, which is incredible considering their demand in today’s NBA. And he is a knockdown shooter, which Chicago needed in a big way from their role players last season.
Guys like Trevor Ariza have hard-earned reputations as knockdown spot-up shooters, and Bridges has been burned this spring by being compared with those guys. His ability to shoot on the move raises his ceiling considerably, to the point that he’s much more in line with eventual superstars like Paul George and Kawhi Leonard at this stage than Ariza or Shane Battier. Bridges can take a couple dribbles to either side before launching, drive and pop, or turn around. It makes him more difficult to guard and earns him more open, efficient looks.
With Kris Dunn in place, the Bulls could add another two-way lottery player at No. 6 this year if Bridges is available. The team knows it needs to protect Lauri Markkanen on defense while maintaining the offensive versatility he provides, and Bridges’ ability to play 2-4 positionally helps show he fits the Bulls’ vision perfectly.