2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round following March Madness

2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round following National Championship Game

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

27 of 31

Age: 21 (8/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 200 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .556/.385/.712
Season Averages: 34.4 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.2 3PM

The Portland Trail Blazers are one of the best non-contenders in the NBA. In order to shed the qualifying label, then the Trail Blazers will need to legitimize the perimeter with a versatile defender who can work without the ball.

The player who’s best suited to fill that role for the Trail Blazers is Tulane Green Wave small forward and rapidly rising NBA Draft prospect Melvin Frazier.

Frazier is widely regarded as one of the best on-ball defenders in the 2018 NBA Draft. He has a combination of length, strength, and athleticism that every scout looks for, as well as the knowledge of how to play the angles.

Playing alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Frazier could thrive in that defensive role and provide Terry Stotts with the elusive presence he needs.

Offensively, Frazier is capable of handling the ball as a point forward or working without it as a three-point shooter. He’s also one of the best ball-hawks in the country, which makes it possible for him to get out and make plays in transition.

For a Portland team that ranks dead last in the NBA in points off of turnovers per game, Frazier could go a long way towards changing the team’s identity for the better.

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