2018 NBA Mock Draft: The lottery is done and the order is set
20. . G. SMU. Shake Milton. 25. player
Milton would make so many teams better that again, he’s a guy I can’t imagine falling out of the first round when it’s all said and done. But in Los Angeles, under a coach who empowers his players to make smart decisions based on their own learned instincts on both sides of the floor, Milton would be more exciting than anywhere.
He worked out for the Lakers on May 9, indicating both that the Lakers do intend to use this pick and that they have interest in taking Milton. It also means that Milton is fully recovered from a right hand injury that stole much of his junior season. A fully healthy, extremely versatile version of Milton would be incredible for Los Angeles, either as a part of their manipulable core of young players or as a trade asset.
It’s one thing to have a player who is so versatile (steal percentage and block percentage each over 2.0 this year, with incredible shooting and passing numbers) on your own team. It’s another so have a guy who so easily projects into different situations available as a trade chip. The Lakers are in position to be aggressive this summer, with cap room and tons of trade assets. It appears they will use this pick on draft night, but Milton shouldn’t get comfortable if this happens. Instead, he should keep working on the versatile skill set that makes him so attractive in the modern NBA.