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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Impact of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins dribbles the ball during the game against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH – MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins dribbles the ball during the game against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

UCLA Bruins. Aaron Holiday. 17. player. 89. . Point Guard

Age: 21 (9/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’1″, 185 pounds, 6’6″
Slash Line: .461/.429/.828
Season Averages: 37.7 MPG, 20.3 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 2.7 3PM

The Milwaukee Bucks have a one-man team in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he needs help if he’s going to lead this team to the promise land. Khris Middleton is an unbelievably underrated wing, Malcolm Brogdon is an excellent combo guard, and Eric Bledsoe thrived in the regular season.

A lineup of Bledsoe, Brogdon, Middleton, and Antetokounmpo should prosper, but the depth beyond them is lacking and there isn’t a center worth taking at No. 17.

Aaron Holiday may seem redundant with Bledsoe and Brogdon on the roster, but adding a two-way point guard should be a focus. Bledsoe may have talent, but he’s also a player with a history of knee injuries who will be in his contract year in 2018-19.

Thus, with the Bucks retaining the rights to the 2018 pick they traded for Bledsoe, it’s only rational to select a player who can fill his void in the event that he leaves.

As for what Holiday brings to the table, he’s an exceptional three-point shooter and a vastly improved distributor who can create for himself and others. He can work with or without the ball, which would alleviate a significant amount of pressure from Antetokounmpo.

Considering Milwaukee ranked No. 27 in three-point field goals made in 2017-18, that alone should make Holiday a player of interest.

Knicks Note: Aaron Holiday isn’t currently an option at No. 9, but much could change for the New York Knicks between now and June 21.

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