2018 NBA Mock Draft: Versatile bigs dominate the top 5

CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 08: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - FEBRUARY 08: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on February 8, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

10. Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges PF/SF Michigan State

Big Board Rank: 11

It’s easy to think the Hornets stash a player here with almost their entire roster under contract for next year, but they need to address their scoring problems. Charlotte is the third worst shooting team this year in the league.

Miles Bridges should be able to be a guy the Hornets can plug in to play the small ball four. He should open the floor giving Kemba more space to operate as Bridges has shown he can be a threat shooting this year when he elected to come back to school. Most importantly though, Bridges should be able to provide a way better defender at the forward than the lineups Charlotte has been running playing Frank Kaminsky at the four along with Dwight Howard.

Bridges may never be a major starter, but at the worst Bridges should be a rotation player and a matchup problem at the small ball four. His explosive athleticism and shooting ability give him a lot of value in the ball screen game. Whether he rolls to the hoop and finishes or shoots a jump shot.