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

By Maxwell Ogden

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)
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) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats smiles on the way off the court after beating the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four semifinal game at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats smiles on the way off the court after beating the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four semifinal game at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

24. . Small Forward. Villanova Wildcats. Mikal Bridges. 8. player

Age: 21 (8/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 210 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .512/.435/.848
Season Averages: 32.0 MPG, 17.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 2.6 3PM

Unfortunately for the New York Knicks, this would be the perfect move for the Chicago Bulls. Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine are potential cornerstones in the backcourt, and Lauri Markkanen may very well be the franchise player at power forward.

Dunn’s injury could create the temptation to select Collin Sexton or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but Mikal Bridges makes far too much sense here.

Bridges is the best on-ball defender in the 2018 NBA Draft, which may be all that needs to be said. With his size, length, and athleticism, Bridges can legitimately defend every position from 1 to 4 in terms of switches and occasional full-possession matchups.

That’s what makes Bridges the top player on my big board for the Knicks, but it’s also what makes him the perfect fit for the Bulls at No. 8 overall.

Offensively, Bridges ranks amongst the best three-point shooters in this draft class. He’s also a capable shot creator who can finish with both hands at the rim or pull up from midrange and make a defense pay for giving him space to drive.

Bridges has been compared to San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard. For as ambitious as that comparison may be, it’s not unrealistic.

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