2018 NBA Mock Draft: Fifth Edition

Here is the fifth edition of my 2018 NBA Mock Draft.

1. Phoenix Suns- DeAndre Ayton, Center, Arizona: After slotting Luka Doncic here last mock draft, I switched back to Ayton, who 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. Sacramento Kings- Marvin Bagley, Power Forward/Center, Duke: Bagley could very well end up the best player from this draft class. He has great athleticism and can shoot it from three and it would be interesting to see what the Kings would do with Willie Cauley-Stein if they were to pick Bagley or Jaren Jackson Jr over Luka Doncic.

3. Atlanta Hawks- 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.

4. Memphis Grizzlies- Luka Doncic, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Real Madrid: Doncic will be the most proven player in the draft due to his success overseas. He is an ideal fit for the perimeter-oriented league and should have a long, productive NBA career. There are reports out there that Doncic does not want to play in Sacramento, so don't be shocked if Doncic drops this far.

5. Dallas Mavericks- 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 would learn from Dirk Nowitzki for at least one if not seasons and Rick Carlisle would love someone like Bomba.

6. Orlando Magic- Michael Porter Jr, Small Forward/Power Forward, Missouri: Although Porter barely played college basketball, he's still worth picking here at 6. Porter has great offensive-skill sets and a good three-point range, but questions range about his mobility. The Magic can use someone like Porter, who has versatility and have a need for versatile forwards.

7. Chicago Bulls- Wendel Carter Jr, Power Forward/Center, Duke: The Bulls can go multiple directions with this pick, but lets slate Carter in this spot as they go with best player available. Carter is very overshadowed on the Blue Devils due to his teammates, but his defense is excellent and he provides spacing on the floor.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Brooklyn Nets via Boston Celtics)- Collin Sexton, Point Guard, Alabama: The Cavs have a need at point guard, whether LeBron James leaves this summer or not. Sexton is super-fast, super-quick and forever aggressive -- all of which are great qualities for anybody entering the NBA. He puts pressure on the defense basically every possession.

9. New York Knicks- Trae Young, Point Guard, Oklahoma: Reports out of the combine are that the Knicks really like Young. 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 Knicks may not pass on it.

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)- Kevin Knox, Small Forward, Kentucky: 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 a rotation piece for the Clippers.

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- 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 Nuggets possibly replacing Will Barton.

15. Washington Wizards- Lonnie Walker, Shooting Guard, Miami: Walker didn't have the greatest freshman season due to coming off his meniscus tear, which provided 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.

16. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat)- 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 Suns and he would probably come off the bench for them.

17. Milwaukee Bucks- 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.

18. San Antonio Spurs- Elie Okobo, Point Guard, France: Okobo has suddenly become one of the draft's most fascinating prospects, particularly after going for 44 points on 17 shots in a Pro A playoff game last week. The Spurs could use both young talent and shooting, and Okobo checks both boxes.

19. Atlanta Hawks (from Minnesota Timberwolves)- Jermone Robinson, Shooting Gaurd, Boston College: Robinson in the mix for the most slept-on prospect in the country due to Boston College's lack of success. Robinson should be able to bring more attention to his potential during workouts. He is athletic and would be a nice fit in Atlanta.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City Thunder)- Kevin Huerter, Small Forward, Maryland: Huerter is a fast riser on peoples mock boards. Huerter is one of the draft's top shooters, but he's also a multidimensional wing for his underrated playmaking ability. 

21. Utah Jazz- Donte DiVincenzo, Shooting Guard, Villanova: DiVincenzo broke out in a major way at the combine and fortified the strong impression he left in March and over the course of Villanova’s season. It’s clear he’s not a flash in the pan, as his consistent level of focus, instincts for forcing turnovers and grabbing rebounds and ability to hit open jumpers build in a degree of safety.

22. Chicago Bulls (from New Orleans Pelicans)- 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. Indiana Pacers- 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. Darren Collison isn't the long term answer at the point for the Pacers and Holiday would fit nicely here.

24. Portland Trail Blazers- 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 and I like this spot for Brown.

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

26. Philadelphia 76ers- 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.

27. Boston Celtics- 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.

28. Golden State Warriors- Melvin Frazier, Small Forward, Tulane: Frazier called it quits after a strong first day at the NBA combine, which is a potential sign he received some assurance about his draft stock. He's limited offensively, but the rising value of versatile defenders who can shoot benefits him. He'll guard multiple positions and make open shots.

29. Brooklyn Nets (from Toronto Raptors)- 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.

30. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets via Los Angeles Clippers)- Mitchell Robinson, Center, Chalmette High School (LA): This pick would be considered a steal considering that Robinson has the talent of a lottery pick. He 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.