2018 NBA Mock Draft: Promises, promises
. F. Michigan State. Miles Bridges. 12. player. 77
The only real buzz around Bridges heading into next week’s draft is his sudden partnership with Kevin Knox on the workout circuit. Both the Knicks and Clippers worked the two wing prospects out in tandem this month, pairing two rangy forwards against one another in a competition that could describe who rises and who falls come draft night.
One would assume Bridges dominated those workouts. He is a better athlete than Knox, despite what common perception would have you believe. And he’s stronger and more skilled, meaning in a 1-on-1 setting, he should have dominated.
Somehow, Bridges fell all the way to No. 15 on ESPN’s last big board, signaling a shift away from the sophomore in the final days leading up to the draft. It’s tough to understand why — unless Bridges fell on his face in workouts, he should be seen as a quintessential modern four, long and strong (8.9 rebounds per 40 minutes) but also able to stretch the floor and pass.
On this roster, assuming Gilgeous-Alexander joins him, he would enter a great situation. Not only is there some young talent starting to accumulate on the Clippers, but there are enough veterans to make the growing pains less painful.