Denver Nuggets: 2017 NBA Draft grades
By Frank Urbina
No. 24 — Tyler Lydon, SF/PF, Syracuse
The Nuggets used the 24th overall pick on Tyler Lydon — a small forward/power forward out of Syracuse.
Lydon spent two years in college, averaging 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks in that time. He shot 47.5 percent as a collegiate, 39.8 percent from three and 80.9 percent from the foul stripe.
The talented big man’s biggest strength is his ability to space the floor from his frontcourt position. At 6’10”, Lydon will be most effective if he can play stretch-4 for the Nuggets — something that may have to happen over time, as he’s not great as a rebounder at the moment and needs to get stronger.
Is he ever going to be a star? Not a chance. But he can eventually become a great role player, who can hit the long ball and throw down the occasional, high-flying dunk.
Along with his bounce, anther underrated aspect of Lydon’s game are his defensive instincts, as he often jumps passing lanes and protects the paint at a high level; the 3/4 hybrid averaged over a block and a steal in each of his seasons at Syracuse.
If he can eventually bulk up and get tougher as a rebounder, he could be a sort of safety valve at power forward next to Jokic, who will block shots and hit a lot of three-pointers. In all, Lydon was a safe pick by Denver, and not one with much upside.
Grade: B-