2018 NBA Mock Draft: Second 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. Memphis Grizzlies- 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 Grizzlies need youth on the perimeter and it's only a matter if Doncic becomes a star or not.

3. Dallas Mavericks- 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. He would be their long term replacement for Dirk Nowitzki and Bagley has franchise player potential.

4. Atlanta Hawks- 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 Hawks would be interesting because they have John Collins on their roster and do they play them together to does one of them come off the bench early on?

5. Orlando Magic- Trae Young, Point Guard, Oklahoma: This maybe a reach, but the Magic have a need at point guard after the trading of Elfrid Payton and they already have a lot of bigs on their roster. Young is very polarizing because of how his season went and how defenses started figuring him out in conference play. That said, he has a Steph Curry type of ceiling and the Magic wouldn't pass on it.

6. 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.

7. Chicago Bulls- 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.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Brooklyn Nets via Boston Celtics)- 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.

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. Philadelphia 76ers (from Los Angeles Lakers via Phoenix Suns)- 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 Sixers would be a nice landing spot for him as he can begin off the bench and can eventually start.

11. Charlotte Hornets- 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 rebuilding Hornet team as they can view him as a building block.

12. Los Angeles Clippers (from Detroit Pistons)- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Gilgeous-Alexander's stock is trending up after he had a great season for the Wildcats. He has great size and finishing craft, defensive versatility, and maybe even quickness. Gilgeous-Alexander would be a nice piece for the Clippers going forward as they enter a rebuild.

13. 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.

14. Denver Nuggets- Kevin Knox, Small Forward, Hornets: 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. If he develops a shot, he could end up as the small forward of the future for the Nuggets.

15. Washington Wizards- Mitchell Robinson, Center, Chalmette High School (LA): This pick would be considered a reach. 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.

16. Phoenix Suns (from Milwaukee Bucks)- 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. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat)- 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. San Antonio Spurs- 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. The Spurs love international prospects so this pick makes a lot of sense.

19. Atlanta Hawks (from Minnesota Timberwolves)- Zhaire Smith, Shooting Guard, Texas Tech: Smith went from a three-star recruit to a likely first-round pick thanks to elite athleticism and ultra aggressive two-way play at Texas Tech. His freshman season was full of highlight reel plays, with tip-dunks and chasedown blocks becoming nightly occurrences.

20. Indiana Pacers- Anfernee Simons, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, IMG Academy: 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. Darren Collison isn't the long term answer at point guard so the Pacers take a chance here with Simons.

21. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City Thunder)- 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. Chicago Bulls (from New Orleans Pelicans)- 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.

23. Utah Jazz- 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.

24. Portland Trail Blazers- Caleb Martin, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Nevada: Martin's stock is trending up as he had a great Big Dance. Martin is versatile and he provides scoring and great shooting. He is one of my sleepers this year and he could be a steal if picked in the late first round.

25. Los Angeles Lakers (from Cleveland Cavaliers)- 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.

26. 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.

27. Boston Celtics- Moritz Wagner, Power Forward, Michigan: Wagner's stock is trending upwards after a great NCAA Tournament. He displays a nice shooting stroke, although his release is slow. He is a very good 3-point shooter as this makes him a very tough cover for opposing defenders.

28. Golden State Warriors- De'Anthony Melton, Shooting Guard, USC: Melton was held out the entire season by USC following the program’s role in the FBI investigation. What the Trojans missed was a bulldog defender and a skilled passer who found ways to impact the game even without a dependable jump shot. He has a Swiss Army Knife-type of skill set that would fit well on any bench.

29. Brooklyn Nets (from Toronto Raptors)- Issac Bonga, Small Forward/Power Forward, Germany: Bonga is the age of some high school seniors, but he’s already essentially playing as a 6’9 point guard for his German pro team. Part of that is because he’s a poor shooter and scorer who doesn’t make much of an impact off the ball. Still, he has interesting tools and could be a good draft-and-stash option late in the first round.

30. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets)- Jalen Brunson, Point Guard, Villanova: Brunson's stock has risen due to a great NCAA Tournament. He’s not the biggest or most athletic point guard, but he’s a skilled scorer and a 40 percent three-point shooter who has a comprehensive understanding of the game. He should have a long career in the league.