Here is my eighth edition of my 2018 NBA 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
Pbarely 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- Trae Young, Point Guard, Oklahoma: Young's stock is trending up and the Bulls may not think Kris Dunn is a starting point guard in this league so they go with 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 Bulls may not pass on it.
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 Phoenix Suns)- 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.
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- 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.
14. Denver Nuggets- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Gilgeous-Alexander's stock has trended 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 Nuggers, who need more depth at the guard positions, especially if they lose Will Barton in free agency.
15. Washington Wizards- 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.
16. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat)- Zhaire Smith, Shooting Guard, Texas Tech: Smith's stock is trending upwards with a week to go until the draft. He 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.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Aaron Holiday, Point Guard, UCLA: Holiday's stock is trending upward with a week to go until the draft. He's one of my sleepers and is a great scorer and shooter (especially from distance), can hold his own defensively, but he isn't great at getting in the paint.
18. San Antonio Spurs- 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.
19. Atlanta Hawks (from Minnesota Timberwolves)- Kevin Huerter, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Maryland: Huerter is a fast riser on peoples mock boards, although he just got hand surgery that could hurt his draft stock. Huerter is one of the draft's top shooters, but he's also a multidimensional wing for his underrated playmaking ability.
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- 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 Spurs and he would probably come off the bench for them.
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- Josh Okogie, Shooting Guard, Georgia Tech: Okogie's stock is soaring with a week to go until the draft. He's had great workouts and a good showing at the combine and a team like the Pacers can use him and his good three-point shooting off the bench.
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)- 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.
26. Philadelphia 76ers- 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, which has risen his draft stock dramatically. The Sixers could use a backup guard to come off the bench and he can provide that.
27. Boston Celtics- 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 Celtics can afford go the draft-and-stash route if they would like with Musa.
28. Golden State Warriors- Jalen Brunson, Point Guard, Villanova: Brunson has shown first round potential throughout his time in college. The Warriors could use more point guard depth with Shaun Livingston aging although Quinn Cook has shown enough promise.
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)- 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.
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