2018 NBA Mock Draft: What’s in store for the second round?

Edwards’ ability to play on or off the ball, leveraged by an excellent 41 percent efficiency from distance this season as a sophomore, should help him overcome the fact that he’s smaller than just about everyone he’ll match up with in the NBA. It should also allow him to fit in Denver, which uses its center and a big combo guard as lead ball-handlers.

The Purdue guard’s game is not unlike that of Jameer Nelson, who found excellent success with the Nuggets at the tail end of his career. He is unpredictable on pull-up jump shots, the types of looks that can bust pick-and-roll defenses against unfocused defense. And he has a constant, dizzying handle that works when defenses overplay his perimeter jumper. Finally, a crafty, aggressive style of finishing around the rim allows him to be patient and score from within any crack that opens in the defense.

If he can learn to finish over and around bigger, more athletic defenders, his offensive game should translate to the NBA. And because he’s not quite as small as an Isaiah Thomas or Tyler Ulis, a team like the Nuggets could hope that his defense becomes playable over time. It’s not as if defense has always been a priority in the way they’ve built their team anyway.

Edwards has reportedly worked out for Boston and San Antonio already. If player development-focused teams that great have an eye on Edwards, it’s a good bet he jumps to the NBA.