Luka Doncic is still in play: First look at the 2018 NBA draft

The Philadelphia 76ers still have a shot at the first pick next season, and Luka Doncic is looming large as a potential option.

If you are like me your head is thinking about summer league. June 2018 is a world away and hopefully the Philadelphia 76ers will have made a playoff appearance. With any luck next year we will be watching the NBA lottery with only interest in the Los Angeles Lakers pick. Due to some deft protections on the Markelle Fultz trade with Boston, we can still hold out hope for the number one pick. So despite the fact that Vegas considers the Philadelphia 76ers to be a playoff team next season, a chance remains for Luka Doncic.

In all likelihood the Lakers will be bottom feeders again this coming season. If that remains the case, then lets look at some of the top potential picks in next years draft and how they might fit in with our very promising core.

1. Luca Doncic — 6-8, SG — Real Madrid

Doncic has point guard vision and passing ability in a 6-foot-8 frame. He is only 18 years old and lacks some explosion that is required for NBA level stardom, but has great court vision and basketball IQ. He is somewhere on the Lonzo Ball to Ben Simmons spectrum of talent. He would be an ideal fit offensively with this team as he is able to stretch the floor and move the ball. Here is a video of Doncic highlights from an exhibition game against Oklahoma City. He was 17 when he played this game. You can see flashes of court vision and a fairly advanced handle for his size.

2. Michael Porter Jr. — 6-10, SF — Missouri

Porter will appear first in many mock drafts over the next 12 months. He has tremendous size and perimeter capability for a man his size. He does not present a perfect fit with the 76ers, as he plays a position defensively that is fairly close toBen Simmons or Robert Covington. He could wind up as a stretch four in the NBA.

3. DeAndre Ayton — 7-0, C — Arizona

Ayton is a big body inside. He will transform the Arizona offense this season and the team will look very different from the Lauri Markkanen team of 2017. He is the poster child in some ways of the 2018 draft in that it is dominated by big men. At 250 pounds he is ready to bully people down low. He will need to display an ability to dominate the glass and run the floor but he is a high level prospect.

Ayton really wouldnt fit the Philadelphia 76ers pace and space scheme and would not be an ideal compliment to Embiid or Simmons.

4. Mohamed Bamba — 7-0, C — Texas

My personal favorite person in this coming season. Read his Players’ Tribune article and tell me you are not immediately rooting for his success. At just 215 pounds he will need to get into the weight room and put on muscle mass to be ready for the NBA. His offensive game is raw, but his defensive potential is Nerlinesque. Bamba would be an interesting fit with Embiid and if his handle and range improves I could see spot minutes where they share the floor together. Would initially become the backup Center.

5. Hamidou Diallo — 6-5, SG — Kentucky

Diallo actually joined Kentucky in January of this year and was technically eligible for the draft. He wow’ed scouts and executives with out of this world athleticism and may have been a late first round pick. Ultimately Diallo chose to return to Kentucky to play one season for Calipari. Expect him to lead the team in fast break. If his handle and jump shot prove to be legit expect Diallo to be a lottery pick next year.

Next: 5 Summer Leaguers who could make the roster next season

As far as fit with the Philadelphia 76ers. He is a high flying wing who has great defensive profile potential. He would fit in well with a team that wants to run and score in transition.