The time has finally come. After months and months of speculation and film-watching, the NBA Draft is (almost) here. We are mere hours away from Adam Silver walking onto the stage and kicking things off, so I will take one final crack at a 2018 NBA mock draft.
Rumors have spread like forest fires over the last week leading up to Thursday night. We also got our first draft trade- the Brooklyn Nets sent the 45th overall pick to the Hornets. Exciting! This draft is as unpredictable as we’ve seen. It seems like all there are more smokescreens and trade rumors than ever before. Everything after the top pick seems like a toss-up. While I won’t predict trades in this draft, it would shock me if we did not see trades involving lottery teams.
2018 NBA Mock Draft
1. Phoenix Suns
DeAndre Ayton: Big- Arizona
DeAndre Ayton looks to be a lock for the top pick. The upside along with his physical tools and offensive skill-set seems to be too much for Phoenix to pass on.
2. Sacramento Kings
Marvin Bagley: Big- Duke
After some rumors of the Kings leaning towards Michael Porter Jr, it seems as if they are picking a possibly safer option in Marvin Bagley. The energetic big man is a much better prospect than any big man on the team currently. His size, athleticism, and motor appear to be valuable assets for the Kings.
3. Atlanta Hawks
Luka Doncic: Wing- Real Madrid
This is where the draft really kicks off. And there is a good chance that the Atlanta Hawks will trade this pick, as many teams seem interested in trading up for Doncic. Doncic has made it clear that he wants to play point guard in the NBA, and the Hawks just so happen to be looking to move on from their current point guard. There appears to be a growing movement within the organization to draft Doncic, and it may not be a smokescreen after all.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr: Big- Michigan State
The Grizzlies are reportedly very interested in trading this pick. When you consider how tough a spot this is for Memphis, that will likely motivate them to trade down. Jaren Jackson and Mo Bamba both reportedly refused to workout and provide medical information to the Grizzlies. While it may not be ideal to draft a player who does not want to be there, the Grizzlies should take Jackson if they keep this pick. Jackson is the best player available and provides a great building block with his two-way game.
5. Dallas Mavericks
Mohamed Bamba: Big- Texas
This pick should be straightforward for Dallas. The Mavericks had one of the worst interior defenses in the NBA last season. Enter an elite rim-protector of the likes in which we’ve rarely seen. Mo Bamba is a prospect that provides an immediate impact on defense and can grow to become a contributor on offense. Bamba’s 7-foot-10 wingspan allows him to alter and block shots from anywhere on the court. As a rim-diver on offense, expect a potentially dynamic combination with Dennis Smith Jr.
6. Orlando Magic
Wendell Carter Jr: Big- Duke
If the top five plays out this way, it would be no surprise to see Orlando trade out of this pick. While the upside of Michael Porter Jr may be tempting, the Magic will need to be safe with this pick. Wendell Carter projects as a reliable center who can protect the rim as well as space the floor.
7. Chicago Bulls
Michael Porter Jr: Combo Forward- Missouri
There are rumors of the Bulls moving up for Porter. However, in this scenario, they get their guy without moving. It seems that there has been a mutual love between both sides here, as Porter was often seeing wearing Bulls gear and made Chicago his home base for draft preparation. Chicago also needs scoring from the wings, and Michael Porter Jr is an exact fit.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
Trae Young: Lead Guard- Oklahoma
Speculation has come about recently of the Cavaliers infatuation with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, there is reason to believe that it could be a smokescreen for Trae Young. The Cavs reportedly hosted Young for a secret workout, meaning there is likely serious interest. Cleveland will want a star player regardless if LeBron James stays or not. Young could serve as their newest franchise centerpiece.
9. New York Knicks
Mikal Bridges: Wing- Villanova
The Knicks will face a tough choice of wings here. After considering Knox and his late rising stock, the Knicks should opt to pick Mikal Bridges. Bridges is a safe 3-and-D pick who can impact the game immediately. There were also reports of GM Scott Perry being concerned with Knox’s age fitting in a locker room of older players. To solve that, the Knicks should take the 22 year old Bridges.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
Kevin Knox: Combo Forward- Kentucky
The 76ers had two players in twice for workouts- Zhaire Smith and Kevin Knox. Kevin Knox’s stock has lasered up in recent weeks and it could be too much for the 76ers to pass on. Knox can provide major versatility on both ends with his size and ability to handle the ball.
11. Charlotte Hornets
Collin Sexton: Lead Guard- Alabama
This pick seems like a true toss-up. GM Mitch Kupchak stated that adding another ball-handling guard is a major team need, and with Kemba Walker’s future in a precarious spot, it is even more important to add such a player. While Kupchak maintains that a player not working out for the team would not rule him out, it makes more sense to draft the guy you’ve seen. Collin Sexton went to Charlotte for a workout. Gilgeous-Alexander did not.
12. Los Angeles Clippers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Lead Guard- Kentucky
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had a very quiet pre-draft process. However, he did admit to working out for the Clippers. The Clippers need a lead guard to build around. If they end up keeping this pick, Gilgeous-Alexander makes the most sense.
13. Los Angeles Clippers
Robert Williams: Big- Texas A&M
This pick makes so much sense that I fear it won’t happen. DeAndre Jordan has made it clear that he wants to leave, so drafting his replacement seems the obvious choice. Rob Williams is a similar mold and a player who can be an elite rim diver.
14. Denver Nuggets
Miles Bridges: Combo Forward- Michigan State
The Nuggets strike gold with this pick. They could use a reliable, versatile combo forward to provide contributions on both ends. Miles Bridges fits that bill and is a steal at this juncture. It is very hard to imagine Bridges falling past Denver, should he get there.
15. Washington Wizards
Lonnie Walker IV: Wing- Miami
Washington is clearly in need of guard depth, especially players who can come off the bench and score. Walker is uber-athletic and can create his own offense while impacting the game on the other end. Walker is a lottery talent so it makes sense for Washington to pounce on this opportunity while also filling a need.
16. Phoenix Suns
Aaron Holiday: Lead Guard- UCLA
Aaron Holiday earned himself a second workout with the Suns, showing there is some legitimate interest. The Suns need a point guard who can do a bit of everything, and Holiday is that guy. Holiday is a pest on defense despite being undersized and can light it up from deep. It may not be the pretty pick, but Holiday certainly fills a void for the Suns.
17. Milwaukee Bucks
Jerome Robinson: Wing- Boston College
Jerome Robinson has been the biggest riser during the pre-draft process. Robinson can play three positions and score at every level in an efficient manner. For the Bucks, Robinson can be a much needed floor-spacer while providing some creative ability to give The Greek Freak a break.
18. San Antonio Spurs
Zhaire Smith: Wing- Texas Tech
San Antonio will be happy with their options here. Zhaire Smith is better than this spot would have you believe, but other teams going for fit may have him slide. The Spurs will need depth on their wings and having a guy with the defensive acumen of Smith available at this pick is a major steal.
19. Atlanta Hawks
Donte DiVincenzo: Wing- Villanova
The Hawks are unlikely to keep all their picks. If they do, though, adding a scoring guard who thrives off the ball is a terrific choice. DiVincenzo is a top-tier athlete in this class and has the ability to score from anywhere on the court. It does help that Atlanta brought in the “Michael Jordan of Delaware” for a workout.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Huerter: Wing- Maryland
The Wolves are in desparate need of bench players who can score in a smaller role. Huerter is a three-level scorer who can give Minnesota its proper spacing. There are some concers over his hand surgery that is set to sideline him for two months. However, it does not seem at all serious and should not cost him much, if any, draft stock.
21. Utah Jazz
Troy Brown Jr: Wing- Oregon
Drafting a switchable defender who projects as able to guard multiple positions is never a bad idea. With the premium on versatile wings in today’s NBA, the Jazz may work with Brown’s low scoring floor as his multitude of other desirable skills compensate for it.
22. Chicago Bulls
Chandler Hutchison: Wing- Boise State
There have been rumors that the Bulls made a promise to Hutchison for the 23rd pick- and it makes sense. The Bulls need depth and scoring on their wings, even after adding to that earlier in this draft. Chicago should uphold its promise and take a mature scoring wing in Chandler Hutchuson.
23. Indiana Pacers
Elie Okobo: Lead Guard- Pau-Orthez
The Pacers opt to bolster their backcourt with a French guard. Okobo has great positional size and can play either backcourt position. A smooth playmaker who has the ability to knock down shots from deep. Okobo has shot up draft boards over the last month, and Indiana brought him in just this week.
24. Portland Trail Blazers
Josh Okogie: Wing- Georgia Tech
Josh Okogie is a raw wing who projects as a 3-and-D floorspacer. This type of wing may be exactly what the Trail Blazers in their rotation. While this might be a bit of a reach for Okogie, there seems to be a lot of momentum behind this pick with Portland.
25. Los Angeles Lakers
De’Anthony Melton: Lead Guard- USC
The Lakers stay local with this pick as they grab De’Anthony Melton. Melton gives them some much-needed versatility and defense in their backcourt. The Lakers will have a plethora of options here, but Melton could be too hard to pass up here.
26. Philadelphia 76ers
Grayson Allen: Wing- Duke
Grayson Allen’s stock has shot up as of late and the 76ers could be in the market for his services. With Philadelphia in win-now mode, drafting experienced players who can impact right away is a smart idea. Allen adds shooting, ball-handling, and defensive versatility to the 76ers.
27. Boston Celtics
Jalen Brunson: Lead Guard- Villanova
The Celtics are reportedly high on Jalen Brunson and for good reason. Brunson adds perimeter shooting and backcourt depth to a team with guards entering the final year of their contract.The Villanova product is tough and versatile, two things that GM Danny Ainge loves.
28. Golden State Warriors
Mitchell Robinson: Big- N/A
The Warriors strike gold with this pick. Golden State is always looking for a rim diver who is athletic enough to rotate and protect the rim. Robinson is all of that and could be even more.
29. Brooklyn Nets
Keita Bates-Diop: Combo Forward- Ohio State
All signs point to the Nets being in the market to add versatility on the wings. Bates-Diop is a mature, experienced player who could provide immediate two-way impact for Brooklyn.
30. Atlanta Hawks
Jacob Evans: Wing- Cincinnati
The Hawks should be in the market for a two-way wing who can space the floor. Evans is as smart a defender as you’ll see in this class. With 3-and-D being a highly regard archetype, Evans makes sense here.
