BTBP Mock NBA Draft: Editor’s Edition

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Trey Lyles (41) dunks during the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men

What The Experts Say:

"Ultimately, his skills will fit better in the NBA as a face-up power forward with the skill to hit midrange jumpers and, ultimately, the ability to score around the basket in the NBA. His size, athleticism and game remind me of David West at Xavier. – Fran Fraschilla, ESPN"

What The Player Says:

"I have a lot of confidence in my shot and my range. I know I can make shots, so it’s not going to be a big adjustment for me. You have to get a lot of reps. That’s what it is. You just have to get comfortable with shooting that far out and just get a lot of reps. – Trey Lyles"

What BTBP Says:

The biggest knock on Trey Lyles right now is his inability to stretch the floor with his shot, as illustrated by a three-point shooting percentage of 13.8 percent last season. What’s important not to forget in all of that is that he does a bit of everything else though.

You’re not going to find many power forwards more skilled than Lyles in this draft or any other, and in that sense he represents a unique risk/reward pick in the mid-first round.

Due to the rare quality of Kentucky’s two towering big men Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein, Lyles was forced into playing as a small forward in spite of being 6’10”, and in the long run that could prove to be a blessing in disguise.

As a very young freshman Lyles’ role wasn’t necessarily as big in Kentucky as it will likely be elsewhere in the future, but it helped him to diversify and showcase his full range of skills.

With Toronto thin at the four already, and potentially set to get thinner thanks to Amir Johnson’s free agency, the Raptors would be delighted to see Lyles on the board when it’s their turn to pick.

Bleacher Report’s Christopher Walder pointed out how Lyles would at least offer Toronto something different at the four spot:

"He would make his presence felt more on the offensive end, having demonstrated the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers (44.6 percent) and finish around the basket. Lyles still has a long way to go defensively, though. There’s always room for another big who can possibly offer some offensive diversity though. Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson are ranked No. 24 and No. 27 among power forwards in scoring, per ESPN.com."

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