2018 NBA Mock Draft: Knicks go big with Mo Bamba

Evans has to be considered high on the list of guys who will be big risers during the draft process in May and June. He is an impressive athlete who pairs those physical gifts with an impressive cluster of skills. He may not be around when the Lakers pick, but Evans would be yet another piece who could contribute defensively for the Lakers.

On top of that, he would provide an interesting piece for coach Luke Walton’s offense. Evans was probably underused at Cincinnati, with just a 22.5 percent usage rate that was inflated by Evans turning over the ball so often. That could be used as an argument against his greater involvement in the Bearcat’s egalitarian offense, but Evans’ .543 true shooting percentage and incredible development as a play-maker mean he could have been even more productive on offense.

It would be interesting to see Evans join Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram in a system with no true lead ball-handler, similar to what Walton ran with Steve Kerr in Golden State.

And as I mention every week, the Lakers have to keep in mind (if they keep this pick on draft night) that their selection ought to fit as a supporting piece next to star. That’s easier picking 25th, as the ball-dominant guys tend to go earlier. But with hopes of acquiring LeBron James, Paul George or Kawhi Leonard this summer, the Lakers would benefit from a 3-and-D draft pick like Evans this June.