The Portland Trail Blazers should target a wing in the 2018 NBA Draft
By Ty Delbridge
Mikal Bridges
Mikal Bridges is 6’7″ wing from the University of Villanova. He is averaging 17.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Bridges is shooting 50 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3.
He is a junior, and his numbers have improved across the board every season. NBA scouts believe his physical tools and skill-set will translate into a substantial 3-and-D player in the league.
Bridges could play both shooting guard and small forward for the Blazers and gives them excellent size at the wing. He is the primary focus on his team at the moment, but in Portland, he could play off guys like Lillard, McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic to get more open looks. Bridges would not have the pressure to be a called upon a lot.
He would need to knock down 3s at a reasonable rate and play smart, solid defense to play meaningful minutes for Portland,
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report said Bridges should follow the Robert Covington role and thrive as 3-and-D star role player off the bench. If Bridges turns into a player like Covington, the Blazers get a fantastic wing who fits what they need.