2018 NBA Mock Draft
To be clear, this is not what I would do if I were in charge of each team selecting in the lottery. Rather, this is what I believe each team will do and how the draft will unfold on June 21st.
1. Phoenix Suns – Luka Dončić, SG, Slovenia. Dončić might be the most polished draft eligible player in quite some time. To pair with his elite talent, Dončić also has ties to Phoenix’s newly minted head coach, Igor Kokoškov, who coached the 6’8” point guard this summer on the Slovenian national team. A backcourt pairing of Dončic and Devin Booker would be tantalizing in the desert.
2. Sacramento Kings – DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona. The Kings can’t mess this one up; Ayton is clearly the best player available here. After taking De’Aaron Fox last year and solidifying their point guard of the future, it is time they do the same at center.
3. Atlanta Hawks – Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Michigan State. Marvin Bagley is the most talented player remaining, but he is redundant alongside John Collins. Both are uber-athletic, but neither can really shoot or protect the rim at a level that is needed to compete in the NBA. I think Travis Schlenk and the Hawks brass understand that they are still a long way away from contending so they will wind up taking Jackson Jr. and really utilize his versatility as they continue to build this team from the ground up.
4. Memphis Grizzlies – Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke. The Grizzlies had a horrid 2017-2018 campaign, but they were plagued with injuries. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley should both be healthy next year and with the infusion of Marvin Bagley III I would not be shocked if the Grizzlies were clawing for a playoff spot in 2019.
5. Dallas Mavericks – Michel Porter Jr., SF, Missouri. This is tremendous value for Mark Cuban and company. Had Porter Jr. been permitted to enter the draft straight from high school, there is a very real possibility that he would’ve gone first overall. MPJ’s lone college season was marred by nagging back injuries and thus his health is a major concern. If his medical checks out and he proves that he is healthy, Dallas will have found their next face of the franchise, allowing Dirk to ride off into the sunset.
6. Orlando Magic – Trae Young, G, Oklahoma. This is a match made in heaven: Orlando desperately needs a dynamic offensive creator and that is precisely Trae Young’s byline. If he can even sniff Steph Curry territory, the Magic will not regret this pick one iota.
7. Chicago Bulls – Mohammad Bamba, C, Texas. The Pelicans had success this season playing two big men in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins and the Bulls will try and follow suit. Lauri Maarkkanen provides the shooting element that is necessary in order to play multiple 7-footers simultaneously, while Bamba provides the defensive prowess that makes it worthwhile.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers – Wendell Carter Jr., C , Duke. When I watch Wendell Carter Jr. I see Al Horford 2.0. He isn’t overly athletic, but he is skilled in every facet of the game. This is a delicate situation for Cleveland since they will likely still be unsure of LeBron’s future at the time of the draft. Carter Jr. is the type of player that could add value playing alongside LeBron as well as in a new era for the Cavaliers. That is why Carter Jr. makes the most sense in this spot.
9. New York Knicks – Miles Bridges, SF, Michigan State. The Knicks need wing help and Bridges has the highest ceiling of any player at his position left on the board. The former Spartan certainly passes the eye test with his imposing 6’7” 225-pound frame. The Knicks need to swing for the fences here and hope they hit a home run.
10. Philadelphia 76ers – Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova. This makes sense for a myriad of reasons. First, Bridges is a plug and play in the modern NBA. He can defend across multiple positions and stroke it from distance. He is also a cost-effective alternative to Robert Covington who the 76ers might have to unload if they are able to land one (or more) of the coveted free agents.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky. Kemba Walker is entering the final year of his contract. It is time the Hornets find his replacement and SGA would be just that. He’s long, he’s lengthy; he’s an inverse of Walker. Pairing him with Malik Monk could provide Charlotte’s backcourt with the optimal blend of playmaking and scoring as they look towards the future.
12. Los Angeles Clippers – Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama. The Clippers should look to package picks 12 and 13 to move up in the draft. If they stay here, their first pick should be Collin Sexton. The rambunctious point guard is an alpha. His jump-shot needs some work, but if he can straighten that out he will cause opposing defenses to have fits.
13. Los Angeles Clippers – Robert Williams, PF, Texas A&M. Williams could have gone pro after last season, but chose to return to College Station. I think the Doc Rivers might view him as a potential heir apparent to DeAndre Jordan who will most likely opt into his contract for next season before becoming a free agent in 2019.
14. Denver Nuggets – Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky. Denver will most likely be losing Will Barton in free agency so they will need some pop off of the bench. At 6’8”, Knox is quite versatile. While he is not all that explosive, at least not yet, he is skilled enough to be a Tobias Harris-type who is super-efficient with his movement off ball.
