2018 NBA Mock Draft: First Edition

Here is the first edition of my 2018 NBA Mock Draft. FWIW: We won't know the draft order until after the Draft Lottery.

1. Phoenix Suns- DeAndre Ayton, Center, Arizona: Ayton is perhaps the drafts best prospect due to his size, soft touch at the rim, and his promising jump shot. He's drawn comparisons to Joel Embiid and Patrick Ewing and the Suns, who don't really have a long term true center, won't want to pass on him.

2. Atlanta Hawks- Luka Doncic, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Real Madrid: Doncic will be the most proven player in the draft due to his success overseas. Doncic is an ideal fit for the perimeter-oriented league and should have a long, productive NBA career. The Hawks need youth on the perimeter and it's only a matter if Doncic becomes a star or not.

3. Memphis Grizzlies- Marvin Bagley, Power Forward/Center, Duke: This would be an intriguing fit for many reasons. Bagley was perhaps the best player in college basketball this past season and has great athleticism and can shoot it from three. The intrigue here lies because do they play him with Marc Gasol or do the Grizzlies move on from their franchise player this offseason? Time will tell.

4. Orlando Magic- Mohamed Bomba, Center, Texas: Bomba doesn't have much of an offensive game, but his defensive presence with his height and shot blocking should appeal to any team. Bomba's fit on the Magic would be interesting because they have a ton of bigs on their roster as currently constituted and someone would have to go.

5. Sacramento Kings- Michael Porter Jr, Small Forward/Power Forward, Missouri: Although Porter barely played college basketball, he's still worth picking here at 5. Porter has great offensive-skill sets and a good three-point range, but questions range about his mobility. The Kings need combo forwards with potential and Porter is worth the risk.

6. Dallas Mavericks- Jaren Jackson Jr, Power Forward/Center, Michigan State: Jackson is a bit of a wild card in this lottery portion of the draft considering he exceeded expectations as a freshman in college and played his way to this position. Although he struggled in the Big Dance, his rim protecting as well as his perimeter game were excellent. Jackson could be Dirk Nowitzki's long term replacement in Big D.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Boston Celtics via Brooklyn Nets)- Wendel Carter Jr, Power Forward/Center, Duke: The Cavs can go multiple directions with this pick, but lets slate Carter in this spot. Carter is very overshadowed on the Blue Devils due to his teammates, but his defense is excellent and he provides spacing on the floor. Carter could possibly replace Kevin Love if they decide to move on from him.

8. Chicago Bulls- Mikal Bridges, Small Forward, Villanova: Bridges took a massive leap this year for the Wildcats. Due to his three-and-D capability, Birdges is one of the drafts safest bets. The Bulls have a need at small forward and Bridges would be a nice fit to go with Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen.

9. New York Knicks- Collin Sexton, Point Guard, Alabama: Let the Sexton versus Trae Young debate begin! I have Sexton going here due to his athleticism and his ability to get to the basket. That is something the Knicks have lacked for years now and Sexton is the safer bet here.

10. Charlotte Hornets- Kevin Knox, Small Forward, Hornets: This feels like a Hornets pick. Knox hasn't been as consistent as a shooter as the Wildcats hoped, but he still projects as a solid defender and can rebound very well. Nic Batum is not the small forward of the future for the Hornets and Knox can fit the bill.

11. Los Angeles Clippers (from Detroit Pistons)- Trae Young, Point Guard, Oklahoma: This pick makes a ton of sense for the Clippers due to the fact that Milos Teodosić is more of a shooting guard and the fact Patrick Beverley might not be the same coming off his injury. Young is polarizing because he drew Stephen Curry comparisons earlier in his collegiate career and as defenses started figuring him out, he wasn't the same. That said, he's a great scorer and has very deep range which draws the Curry comparison.

12. Philadelphia 76ers (from Phoenix Suns via Los Angeles Lakers)- Miles Bridges, Small Forward, Michigan State: Although, Bridges might end up becoming a small ball power forward in the future due to his average ball handling, he is a great shooter on the wing and provides great athleticism. Bridges would be a nice fit on this Sixers team with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

13. Denver Nuggets- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: This would be a nice fit with Gilgeous-Alexander playing alongside Jamal Murray. Gilgeous-Alexander isn't quite a good shooter yet, but he's a great passer and makes his teammates better. He would be a nice eventual replacement for Will Barton.

14. Los Angeles Clippers- Robert Williams, Power Forward/Center, Texas A&M: Williams could have been a lottery pick last year, but decided to come back to school for one more season. Williams isn't known for his offense, but he's great at rebounding and defending the rim. He could be a poor mans D'Andre Jordan.

15. Phoenix Suns (from Milwaukee Bucks)- Dzanan Musa, Small Forward, Cedevita: Musa is an intriguing international prospect that is motivated to play in the NBA. Musa is a great scorer on the wing and his play making skills are improving. Considering the Suns have three first round picks, this is a risk worth taking.

16. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat)- Lonnie Walker, Shooting Guard, Miami: Walker didn't have the greatest freshman season due to coming off his meniscus tear, which provides an interesting case for him to return to Miami for his sophomore season. That said, Walker is worth taking in this spot due to his pure talent and potential.

17. Atlanta Hawks (from Minnesota Timberwolves)- Troy Brown, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Oregon: Brown is an interesting prospect considering that he had a solid season at Oregon, but has a reputation of disappearing in games. Brown's size and ball-handling ability is what makes him worth a selection at this spot.

18. Philadelphia 76ers- Khyri Thomas, Shooting Guard, Creighton: Thomas is interesting because he doesn't have much upside. What Thomas does have though, is a two-way presence with is great shooting and perimeter defending. This pick would be a solid one for the Sixers considering that JJ Redick might leave in free agency this summer.

19. Chicago Bulls (from New Orleans Pelicans)- Mitchell Robinson, Center, Chalmette High School (LA): Robinson had a year off from competitive basketball and has no experience beyond high school. Robinson provides athleticism and shot-blocking, which will intrigue teams although there are questions about what else he can provide.

20. Washington Wizards- Daniel Gafford, Center, Arkansas: Gafford exceeded expectations in his freshman collegiate season, which put him in this position. Gafford's offensive game isn't great as he often struggles to protect the ball while trying to finish, but his rim-protecting and shot blocking makes him an interesting case.

21. Utah Jazz- Kieta Bates-Diop, Power Forward, Ohio State: Bates-Diop had an outstanding junior collegiate season. What hurts Bates-Diop is his lack of athleticism, but his season cannot be ignored due to his outstanding shooting and providing match-up problems for the opposition.

22. Indiana Pacers- Chandler Hutchinson, Small Forward, Boise State: Hutchinson is one of my sleepers in this draft class. Hutchinson isn't a great shooter, but has a nice all-around game with his ability to attack the rim, rebounding, and he's a solid off the ball defender.

23. San Antonio Spurs- Anfernee Simons, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, IMG Academy: This feels like a classic Spurs pick. Simons is a bit undersized for a shooting guard, which makes him a bit of a project, but he can attack the basket and has a decent shot, but must develop on the defensive end.

24. Los Angeles Lakers (from Cleveland Cavaliers)- Bruno Fernando, Center, Maryland: Fernando is one of the more athletic big men in this draft. Fernando was often in foul trouble this season and is very raw, but he has great mobility and is great around the basket. The Lakers can afford to take a chance here.

25. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City Thunder)- Aaron Holiday, Point Guard, UCLA: Holiday is another one of my sleepers. Holiday is a great scorer and shooter (especially from distance), can hold his own defensively, but he isn't great at getting in the paint. He would be a nice backup point guard on the right team.

26. Portland Trail Blazers- Jacob Evans, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Cincinnati: Evans's upside is limited though because he's an erratic shooter and isn't aggressive at the rim. His defense is his strength and he can guard both wing positions very well.

27. Boston Celtics- Jontay Porter, Center, Missouri: Porter quietly bursted on to the scene as a freshman in light of his brother and his bride college career. Porter is great all around with his rebounding and passing and can shoot it from three. Could be a poor mans Nikola Jokic.

28. Brooklyn Nets (from Toronto Raptors)- Jermone Robinson, Shooting Gaurd, Boston College: Robinson could be a steal in this spot. Robinson is a great scorer and is great at creating his own shot off the dribble, but he's not an upper-tear athlete.

29. Golden State Warriors- Bruce Brown, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Miami: Brown could be a steal at this spot considering he missed most of the season with a foot injury. Brown has great athleticism, size, and has a good defensive-mind.

30. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets)- Rui Hachimura, Small Forward/Power Forward, Gonzaga: Hachimura isn't a sure thing to enter the draft this year and he doesn't have a three-point shot. He has shown flashes with his passing and rebounding and he has great athleticism as well as he's a solid defender as well.