2019 NBA Mock Draft: Tankers beware

“I believe I can run a team. I’m willing to learn, and I’m working on making other players better around me,” Edwards told DraftExpress after a pre-draft workout this summer.

Discussing his place in the modern game, Edwards addressed his strengths: “Coming four on five, just making reads and things like that. I believe I can play well in space and in one-on-ones.” He elaborated by saying that the primary focus during the pre-draft process for him was developing his playmaking, setting the table for teammates and making strides as a passer.

Defensively, Edwards said his focus was to prove that he could guard the best guards in his conference (the Big 10) as well as the best guards in the NBA. That’s probably the main challenge Edwards will face as he makes his climb toward the NBA over the next year — as a 6-1 point guard, how does he survive defensively?

One could look at his steal rate, which hovered over 2 percent during each of his first two college seasons, and imagine him as a disruptor off the bench. That certainly fits with his offensive style as well.

Finally, Edwards told DraftExpress that he models his game after Damian Lillard, that he appreciates the way Lillard can create space to get his shot off and make his teammates better.

We’ll see what Edwards’ junior season brings.