Player Profile:
“I’m buying into Lydon increasingly more as a quality stretch four at the next level. He displays range well beyond the NBA line, and is athletic enough to create a lot of mismatches when operating against more traditional fours. Lydon will be difficult to cover in pick-and-pop scenarios given his shooting touch and he has the ball handling ability needed to keep defenders honest when rushing out to the perimeter.
Lydon also shows some underrated instincts on the boards, and has the quickness needed to maneuver his way into position for putbacks on a fairly consistent basis — even though his frame hasn’t filled out yet.
The biggest knock on Lydon at this stage in his development is his aggressiveness. He has the tendency to phase out of games at times when his prowess offensively dictates that he should be doing the opposite. He’ll likely mold into a strong role player more so than a go-to option at the next level, and he possesses all the team-friendly attributes needed to do so. But, ideally, he’ll be a bit more confident with his shot in the coming years.” — 2017 NBA Draft Big Board 5.0.
Outside Opinion:
“Lydon’s big breakout season coming off a Final Four run didn’t totally materialize, but his numbers are up across the board (50% from the field, 42% from three). He’s fairly well-rounded offensively, should be able to play both forward spots and can do more than just space the floor. He’s also an underrated athlete, although his body could use some work. Lydon’s consistency remains a bit of a question.” — Jeremy Woo in SI.com’s 2017 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0.
Team Fit:
The Blazers have already added rim protection and a quality backup in the backcourt with Robert Williams and Luke Kennard respectively, meaning they can find a happy medium with another NBA-ready role player in Lydon. While the likelihood of Portland taking on three new contracts via the draft is admittedly small, the 6-10 big from Syracuse makes some sense here given the construction of their current rotation.
He can play either forward spot and boasts a quick, fluid release that makes him an excellent floor spacer heading to the next level. He can help them keep the court open as a small ball four, while still offering a quality rotational piece with unique defensive upside at the three as well.