NBA Draft 2018: 5 best lead guards available

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners drives to the basket against Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams in the second half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at PPG Paints Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

2 of 5

DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the first half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Aaron Holiday

Holiday isn’t going to be his brother Jrue’s equal at the NBA level, but that’s a pretty high bar. What the former UCLA guard can do is far superior to what he can’t accomplish.

His best skill at the next level is going to be his ability to stroke the ball from 3. He shot just a shade under 43 percent for the Bruins last season. Even more encouraging is his ability to shoot the ball proficiently off the dribble. That skill should really translate at the NBA level.

Teams just outside the lottery should at least consider drafting Holiday. He’s got a lot more upside as a scorer than several players who will be drafted ahead of him. Anyone looking for scoring punch off the bench should jump at the chance to select him.

The downside is that Holiday may not be big enough to grow into a quality defender. He will compete on the defensive end of the floor, but his lack of size won’t allow him to really lock down top-notch offensive guards. Holiday isn’t going to be a star, but he has an obvious role in the NBA. That should be enough to push him into the 20s.

Home/NBA Draft