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2018 NBA Draft: 3-and-D wings to know before March Madness

By Maxwell Ogden

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 16: Jacob Evans #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats plays defense on an inbound during a NCAA basketball game against the UCF Knights at the CFE Arena on January 16, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 16: Jacob Evans #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats plays defense on an inbound during a NCAA basketball game against the UCF Knights at the CFE Arena on January 16, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 21: Tyus Battle #25 of the Syracuse Orange shoots the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 21, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. North Carolina defeated Syracuse 78-74. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – FEBRUARY 21: Tyus Battle #25 of the Syracuse Orange shoots the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 21, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. North Carolina defeated Syracuse 78-74. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

Projection: Round 2
Age: 20 (9/23/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 205 pounds, 6’8″
Slash Line: .420/.316/.827
Season Averages: 38.8 MPG, 20.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 2.0 3PM

Drafting Syracuse players is a risky move, but that doesn’t mean Tyus Battle shouldn’t be considered in the second round. He has the size, length, and athleticism to play in the NBA, and is a much better shooter than the percentages imply.

Battle’s shot selection may be questionable, but if the New York Knicks are drafting him to be a 3-and-D wing, it should improve based on his role and coaching.

If you watch Battle play, you’ll see flashes of Jimmy Butler in his game. That isn’t to say that Battle will reach Butler’s level of play, but instead a comment about his commitment to defense and his fearlessness on both ends of the floor.

That would play well in New York, where fans would have no trouble whatsoever getting behind a player who leaves it all out on the court on a nightly basis.

In the NBA, Battle would have a chance to develop into a high-level defender and a catch-and-shoot specialist within a motion offense. The appeal is that, when he needs to, Battle could also create off the bounce and either get to the line or pull up with his jump shot.

Battle plays hard on a nightly basis. The Knicks need more players built in that way, which is why he would be a perfect Round 2 target in the 2018 NBA Draft.

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