2018 NBA Mock Draft: Third Edition

Here is the third edition of my 2018 NBA Mock Draft. Now that we know how the lottery played out, we know the draft order.

1. Phoenix Suns- 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. Him and Devin Booker together would be a lot of fun and don't forget the Suns hired Igor Kokoskov, who was Doncic's coach overseas.

2. Sacramento Kings- 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 Kings, despite having a surplus of big men with Willie Caulie-Stein and Skal Labissiere, won't pass on Ayton.

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- 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.

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)- 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- 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 Knicks pretty much have needs everywhere on their roster and Bridges would be a nice fit with Kristaps Porzingis once he comes back from his ACL surgery.

10. Philadelphia 76ers (from Los Angeles Lakers via Boston Celtics)- 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.

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)- Collin Sexton, Point Guard, Alabama: Sexton at this spot would be a steal for the Clippers. He 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.

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 Miami Heat)- 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 Suns off the bench.

17. Milwaukee Bucks- 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- 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)- 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.

20. 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.

21. Utah Jazz- 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 Jazz and Thomas would be a good bench piece for them.

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. 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.

24. Portland Trail Blazers- 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.

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- 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- 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.

29. 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.

30. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets)- 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.