2018 NBA Mock Draft: Fourth Edition

Here is the fourth 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- 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 they pass on Doncic as well as the Hawks.

3. Atlanta Hawks- 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 he and John Collins would be a nice front court pairing.

4. Memphis Grizzlies- 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. He could eventually replace Marc Gasol.

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- Wendel Carter Jr, Power Forward/Center, Duke: The Magic 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.

7. Chicago Bulls- Michael Porter Jr, Small Forward/Power Forward, Missouri: Although Porter barely played college basketball, he's still worth picking here at 7. Porter has great offensive-skill sets and a good three-point range, but questions range about his mobility. The Bulls can use someone like Porter, who has versatility and have a need for versatile forwards.

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)- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Point Guard/Shooting 
PGuard, 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 
Pbeyond 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 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- 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.

18. San Antonio Spurs- 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.

19. Atlanta Hawks (from Minnesota Timberwolves)- 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. Dennis Schroeder may not be in the Hawks' long term plans so Simons makes sense here.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City Thunder)- 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.

21. Utah Jazz- 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.

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- 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.

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- 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.

27. Boston Celtics- 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.

28. Golden State Warriors- 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. Brooklyn Nets (from Toronto Raptors)- 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.

30. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets via Los Angeles Clippers)- 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 Hawks love international prospects so this pick makes a lot of sense.