Sir Charles in Charge
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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Versatile bigs dominate the top 5

By Connor Harr

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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats looks on dunking the ball against the Butler Bulldogs at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats looks on dunking the ball against the Butler Bulldogs at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

7. Cleveland Cavaliers: Mikal Bridges, SF/SG, Villanova

Big Board Rank: 10

Even though the Cavaliers should be preparing for life without Lebron James they won’t because that’s the Cleveland thing to do. That is why they reach on Bridges as the typical Lebron James compliment as a 3 and D player who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact.

Bridges is a 6-foot-6 wing with a 7-foot wingspan and is the best perimeter defensive prospect in the draft. This addresses the Cavaliers biggest need on the defensive end, who are giving up the third most points to their opponents this season.

There has been reason to question Mikal Bridges 3-point shot as of late only shooting 30 percent from deep over his last five games. Bridges shot looks different from the beginning of the season. It looks like he isn’t using his legs as much and getting the lift, he did in the beginning of the season. Even if Bridges doesn’t project as a shooter right away, he should project as an above average defender right away and will probably be the best defensive player the Cavs will have on their roster next season.