Portland Trail Blazers: 5 draft prospects that can add frontcourt depth
Tyler Lydon || SF/PF || 21 years old || 6’10”, 225 lbs.
Tyler Lydon is projected as the 26th pick by Draft Express. In roughly 36 minutes per game, Lydon averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks in 34 games for Syracuse.
Lydon is a sleeper. He’s not particularly good at creating for himself, but he’s a student of the game, a solid athlete and a spectacular spot-up shooter.
"“For all of the things Lydon was asked to do, his potential at the next level starts with his terrific spot up jump shooting ability. Knocking down 40% of his 245 attempts from beyond the arc in his two years with the Orange, Lydon is a dangerous set shooter with a high release point who has flashed impressive consistency well beyond the NCAA three-point line, and a knack for making the most of open opportunities from the perimeter in the half court. His ability to space the floor at 6’9 is certainly his most intriguing attribute from an NBA perspective.”"
The Blazers ranked sixth in the NBA in three-point percentage this season, so they don’t exactly NEED to add another shooter to be a threat from outside. Nevertheless, Lydon’s unique combination of size, athleticism and shooting stroke is rather difficult to ignore.
Next: Winners and losers of the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery
Assuming the Portland Trail Blazers either traded their pick(s) or went with a draft-and-stash player with one or both of their previous selections, Lydon is certainly an option with Portland’s last pick.