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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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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners drives to the basket against Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams in the second half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at PPG Paints Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners drives to the basket against Fatts Russell #2 of the Rhode Island Rams in the second half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at PPG Paints Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

. Point Guard. Oklahoma Sooners. Trae Young. 8. player. 156

Age: 19 (9/19/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’2″, 180 pounds, 6’4″
Slash Line: .422/.360/.861
Season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 27.4 PPG, 8.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 3.7 3PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers have needs across the board, including a potential replacement for LeBron James. That makes Mikal Bridges a compelling option for a Cavaliers team that desperately needs to improve on defense along the wings.

True as that may be, the Cavaliers need to improve at the point guard position if they’re going to make their mark in the modern era.

Young is the single most polarizing player in the 2018 NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t worth a top-10 selection. He’s an elite three-point shooter with deep range. He’s also the single best facilitator—and he’s a true facilitator—in this draft class.

For a Cavaliers team that may lose its go-to scoring option and No. 1 facilitator, adding a player who can at least help build the offense would be progress.

In the event that James re-signs with the Cavaliers, Young would be the perfect player to team with him. Not only is he a brilliant passer with high-level court vision who can simplify the game for James, but he’s an excellent shooter who can work without the ball.

Young may not be a sure-thing as a scorer, but he can shoot the lights out and should at least be a starter off of his facilitating vision and ability alone.

Knicks Note: Trae Young may be polarizing, but he would fit wonderfully alongside Frank Ntilikina with the New York Knicks.

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