The Sixer Sense
Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft 7.0

By Christopher Kline

BELGRADE, SERBIA - MAY 20: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid poses with Chamipons Trophy and MVP of the final Trophy 2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague F4 Champion Photo Session with Trophy at Stark Arena on May 20, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Rodolfo Molina/EB via Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA - MAY 20: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid poses with Chamipons Trophy and MVP of the final Trophy 2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague F4 Champion Photo Session with Trophy at Stark Arena on May 20, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Rodolfo Molina/EB via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

13. player. 77. . SG. Texas Tech. Zhaire Smith

Long, versatile defenders are at a premium in today’s NBA, and the Clippers are adding two of them. Smith and Bridges are probably the two best wing defenders in this class, giving L.A. a nice pairing to build around.

Alongside Miles Bridges, Smith is one of, if not the best athlete in the 2018 class. He hangs in the air on dunks and can wreak absolute havoc in transition, something he did often at Texas Tech.

Smith doesn’t handle the ball well and his shooting mechanics are the source of many concerns, but he’s a dangerous slasher who’s capable of making smart passes within the offense. When given time to develop under an NBA coaching staff, Smith could very well outperform his draft slot.