With the 2018 NBA Draft under two weeks away, let’s rehash our projections.
The season came to an uneventful end following Golden State’s sweep of Cleveland in the Finals. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to look forward to this summer, though, starting with the 2018 NBA Draft.
Storylines are heating up, with teams beginning to formulate their draft boards. The Philadelphia 76ers will have two first-round picks, including one in the lottery. The Suns are narrowing their search at No. 1 and attempting to trade for another top-10 pick. The Kings might pass on Luka Doncic, the best international prospect of all-time.
Simply put, June 21 will bring plenty of surprises. We’ll try to proejct some of those surprises, running through all 60 picks and providing in-depth analysis for the top-30. As always, there are some key differences between this mock draft and our big boards.
While our big boards rank prospects from top to bottom, these mocks serve as projections for what might happen. They take into account reports, team needs and, in some cases, the expected outcomes. These picks don’t necessarily reflect the moves I would make.
Ayton isn’t the best prospect available, but he might have the highest upside. The Suns are widely expected to pick Ayton first, filling their frontcourt void and giving Devin Booker a running mate that compliments his skill set.
Despite defensive concerns, Ayton’s physical tools give him upside as a rim protector. He’s also a polished offensive threat, making crisp passes out of post-ups, stretching the floor and scoring on the block.
Arguably the best big man prospect since Anthony Davis, expect Ayton to generate plenty of hype between now and the season’s start.
Earlier in the season, Luka Doncic was normally penciled into the No. 2 spot behind Ayton. That may no longer be the case, though, with the Kings reportedly favoring American frontcourt players. Bagley is the best option available in that scenario.
Despite lacking a clear position defensively, Bagley’s elite athleticism and unique offensive skill set gives him legitimate star upside in a league that preaches versatility.
If the Kings place shooters around him, Bagley’s ability to attack in straight-line drives, playmake for others and score around the painted area should make him an effective go-to threat. He’s also the best rebounder in this class.
Bamba has impressed in workouts, both with his upside and his basketball I.Q. He’s one of the smartest, hardest-working individuals in this class, something teams will surely take note of. His upside might be enough to get him drafted to Atlanta.
At 7-10, Bamba’s wingspan will be the longest in NBA combine history. He’s also mobile on the perimeter, defending switches at a high level. That, paired with his obvious rim protection, is highly valuable in today’s NBA.
The Hawks are still looking to establish their culture and implement Lloyd Pierce’s defense-first approach. Bamba gives them a potential defensive cornerstone with one of the highest two-way ceilings in recent memory if things break his way.
Doncic is the best international prospect in draft history and the top prospect on my board. The fact that he might fall into Memphis’ lap should excite Grizzlies fans.
At 6-8, Doncic is a legitimate point guard with advanced instincts and an elite feel for the game. His ability to exploit different angles as a passer is second to none, while his pick-and-roll prowess should give him immediate value in the modern NBA.
He can’t blow by defenders with his athleticism, but uses crafty dribble combinations to create space and get off his own shots. He should be a reliable spot-up shooter, to boot. Memphis, looking to crack the playoffs next season, could use an NBA-ready piece like Doncic.
Jackson is another elite big man in a class littered with frontcourt talent up top. The Mavericks have been searching for a franchise center since the DeAndre Jordan fiasco, and now they finally have the chance to add one.
At 6-11 with a 7-5 wingspan, Jackson’s combination of mobility, athleticism and instincts makes him arguably the best defender in the draft. He can defend the perimeter, block shots at a high clip and body up strong bigs underneath.
He’s also a useful offensive piece, thriving as a pick-and-roll big who can space the floor consistently. Add in some post moves and decent passing chops, and you have an undisputed top-five prospect.
The Magic traded Elfird Payton mid-season, making Shelvin Mack their season-long assist leader at 3.9 per game. It’s safe to say they need some point guard help, which Young immediately provides.
Young won’t have the same green light he had in college, but that won’t matter. He’s an advanced facilitator who thrives in the pick-and-roll, using crafty dribbling to break down and poke holes in the opposing defense.
His shooting is a genuinely special weapon. He can hit from all over the floor, whether it be pull-up jumpers or running off screens. With increased variety in his shot selection, Young has the potential to stretch defenses to their breaking point, opening up more for those around him.
The Bulls can add another long-term frontcourt piece next to Lauri Markkanen with this pick. Carter has seen his stock rise in recent weeks, showcasing an impressive blend of offensive skill and defensive upside at the five.
Carter boasts fluid mechanics as a shooter, giving the Bulls an opportunity to place five shooters on the floor at any given time. He’s also an excellent playmaker on the block, finding open shooters and cutters with well-timed passes. That’s where the Al Horford comparisons come from.
Defense wasn’t a strong suit for Carter at Duke, but part of that was systematic. He has the physical tools and basketball I.Q. needed to develop into a quality defender at the next level.
Porter was the No. 1 prospect on a lot of boards at the beginning of the season. A fluid scorer at either forward spot, his upside as a go-to option should appeal to a Cavs team that might lose LeBron James.
Even if James does stay, though, Porter is a versatile athlete who can space the floor and give them another scoring punch in the frontcourt. In high school, Porter was the most dynamic scorer in this class, posing a threat at all three levels.
Back injuries are never good and Porter missed most of the season as the result of one. Still, 6-11 forwards who can handle the ball and knock down pull-ups from NBA range aren’t all that common.
The Knicks are short on wing depth, making Bridges the preferred option at this point. He fills a valuable 3-and-D archetype in the modern NBA.
While not much of a shot creator, Bridges has one of the highest defensive ceilings in the draft. He’s an absolute lockdown defender when engaged, using his length to bother ball handlers and choke off passing lanes. He should defend at least three positions at his physical peak.
Bridges doesn’t have the star power that some of his lottery counterparts posses, but he’s a high-end role player who should contribute from day one. He’s also an easy fit next to Kristaps Porzingis.
I think intelligence and work ethic often get undervalued by those not directly involved in the draft process. Walker is somebody whose basketball I.Q. has stood out in interviews, causing his draft stock to trend upward.
Walker checks a lot of boxes for the Sixers, giving them another lengthy defender who thrives off the ball offensively. His ability to hit shots off screens and make timely cuts to the rim would fit perfectly next to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
While not a dynamic ball handler, Walker is also capable of making tough shots off the dribble. If he can tap into that more consistently, his upside in the Sixers’ system is infinitely higher.
With new management and no clear path forward, the Hornets will likely opt for a rebuild. That means moving on from Kemba Walker at some point.
Sexton makses sense as a replacement. Another lead ball handler, Sexton is an explosive athlete who loves to play downhill, using his strength to absorb contact and finish around the rim. He was one of the best individual offensive players in college basketball last season.
A hard-nosed defender with strong intangibles, Sexton should earn some love from talent evaluators in the lottery. A difficult shot-maker with effort to spare, it makes sense for the Hornets to roll the dice at 11.
The Clippers signed Lou Williams to an extension, but they don’t have much long-term backcourt depth. Gilgeous-Alexander is the best point guard prospect outside of the aforementioned Doncic and Young.
Entering the season as a four-star recruit, Gilgeouis-Alexander surprised many by emerging as Kentucky’s most consistent offensive player. He makes up for average athleticism with craftiness off the dribble, using slick dribble moves to get to the rim and create space.
He also has excellent feel as a passer, developing into an elite pick-and-roll playmaker as the season progressed. The Clippers would be wise to jump on him with one of their two lottery picks.
Bridges is arguably the best pure athlete in the draft. He’s both strong and explosive at 6-6, normally liable for one or two highlight dunks per game.
Paired with Tobias Harris at the forward spots, Bridges would give the Clippers another spot-up shooter capable of making strong moves to the rim, both as a cutter and in straight-line drives. He needs to clean up his handles, but Bridges has some go-to scoring upside.
While not long enough to be a traditional power forward, Bridges’ strength and leaping ability should allow him to make due as a small-ball four. He can already defend three or four positions, with the potential to defend all five in spurts if his fundamentals improve.
A versatile defender with flashes of point guard skills, Brown presents some intriguing upside for the Nuggets. In an offense that revolves around ball and player movement, he would fit seamlessly.
While not an explosive athlete, Brown has the frame needed to defend one through four in time. He’s also smart off the ball, bursting into passing lanes and kickstarting transition offense.
Improving his three-point shot will be big, but Brown gives the Nuggets another ball handler who can attack the lane and find open shooters off the dribble. He’s also an excellent cutter, something that brings inherent value next to Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap.
John Wall said the Wizards need an athletic center, and he’s right. Marcin Gortat and Ian Mahinmi aren’t long-term options, meaning they’ll likely search for a replacement in the draft. Williams is the favored option.
Despite lacking the offensive upside of his lottery counterparts, Williams does have one of the highest defensive ceilings in the draft. At 6-10 with a 7-5 wingspan, he can block shots at a high clip and check the perimeter, which is important in today’s NBA.
On the offensive end, Williams is an explosive lob catcher who should get rewarded by Wall’s playmaking. He doesn’t do much outside the paint, but in Washington’s offense, he won’t have to.
Smith rivals Miles Bridges for the title of best pure athlete in the draft. That helps on both ends, whether it be defensive versatility or offensive upside. The Suns could be getting a long-term steal outside the lottery.
It will take a few years for Smith to peak in the NBA. Still, his length should allow him to defend multiple positions at a high level. He’ll chase down several steals and the occasional weak-side block as well.
Offensively, Smith projects as a capable spot-up shooter. His rocky handles and slow release limit his ability to create against high-pressure defenses, though, which could in turn limit his production. His high-I.Q. approach and athleticism hints at some upside worth rolling the dice on, though.
Knox gives the Bucks another versatile forward capable of sliding into Jabari Parker’s role, should the latter leave this offseason. At this point, that feels likely.
With Mike Budenholzer in charge, the Bucks might embrace some more small-ball lineups this season. Putting Giannis Antetokounmpo at the five and allowing Knox to man the four is a tantalizing idea, with Knox’s slashing skills projecting well in space.
Despite an up-and-down season, Knox showed the talent needed to thrive in the NBA. He’s a legitimate spot-up shooter who can attack the rim in long strides and finish with a variety of nifty moves inside the arc.
Huerter has been flying up draft boards ever since the combine, reportedly garnering a first-round promise. The Spurs might not be the team making that promise, but they could be tempted by Huerter’s skill set nonetheless.
One of the best perimeter shooters in this class, Huerter’s ability to run off the ball and knock down open shots in valuable next to Kawhi Leonard. He has also shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and playmake, giving him some intriguing upside in the mid-first round area.
He isn’t an elite athlete, but Huerter’s size and instincts should make him a functional perimeter defender. Given the Spurs’ needs and the systematic fit, Huerter makes a lot of sense here.
Having addressed their frontcourt needs in the lottery, the Hawks can chase point guard depth at 19. Robinson is the next-highest lead guard on the board.
Dennis Schroder is probably on his way out at some point, giving Robinson the opportunity to step into the starting role early on. One of the most dynamic offensive players in college basketball, Robinson’s tight handles and shooting should have no issues translating to the next level.
At 6-5 with a 6-7 wingspan, Robinson also has nice size for a comboguard. His ability to defend either guard spot gives Atlanta some options, depending on how their personnel shakes out next season.
Bates-Diop has long been the favorite for Minnesota at 20. The Ohio State senior would give Thibs an older player to work with, as well as another frontcourt piece who fits the mold of modern-day fours.
A long, versatile athlete, Bates-Diop can defend multiple positions, both inside and on the perimeter. He’ll need to add strength to play power forward full-time, but his broad shoulders should make that easy.
Offensively, Bates-Diop is an isolation savant, using a variety of moves to score on the block. He also shoots well in spot-up scenarios and can make strong cuts off the ball. Adding another stretch big who can defend multiple positions would help the Wolves tremendously.
The Jazz reportedly want more shooting and Allen is on their radar. The infamous Duke guard shined at the combine and has been turning heads in pre-draft workouts, making this pick feel wholly possible.
As one of the best pure shooters in the draft, Allen’s value is rooted in his ability to hit shots on the move and spread well beyond the NBA three-point line. He’s also a much-improved playmaker, though, essentially taking on point guard duties at Duke in recent seasons.
Letting Allen share the backcourt with Donovan Mitchell makes a lot of sense.
All indications are that Hutchison has a promise from the Bulls. Given their affinity for multi-year college prospects, that makes sense. He’s also hovering around this range on most draft boards.
The Bulls don’t have a ton of wing depth, which opens up playing time for Hutchison on a rebuilding team. He was the offensive bell cow at Boise State, but will take on more of a complimentary role at the next level.
Using long strides, Hutchison is at his best when driving the lane and looking to make a play. He doesn’t do a ton else off the dribble, but has clear value as a slasher and spot-up shooter who can defend multiple positions.
Melton was among the best performers at the combine, locking him into the first-round conversation. The Pacers could be looking for a long-term backcourt parter for Victor Oladipo.
Both are capable of splitting the playmaking load, with Melton relieving some of the offensive pressure currently placed on Oladipo. Melton lacks dynamic handles, but is an excellent slasher who gets to the rim and can operate in the pick-and-roll.
On the defensive end, Melton’s length and instincts make him one of the best perimeter defenders outside the lottery. That two-way upside should pique Indiana’s interest given Oladipo’s status as an All-NBA defender.
Okobo is the best international prospect outside of Doncic and arguably the best point guard prospect outside the lottery. The Blazers’ commitment to the Damian Lillard-C.J. McCollum duo has been questioned in the past, making this kind of selection all the more intriguing.
Capable of playing both on and off the ball, Okobo fits next to either Lillard or McCollum — whether it be in the starting lineup or off the bench. As a floor spacer with tremendous scoring upside off the dribble, Okobo would be an upgrade over Shabazz Napier, at the very least.
At 6-3, Okobo is a plus athlete with long arms. He has the makings of a decent two-way guard in the NBA.
Lonzo Ball has never been at his best as the only ball handler on the floor. Giving him another scoring guard to play alongside makes sense, and DiVincenzo checks a lot of boxes.
On the defensive end, DiVincenzo’s ability to defend point guards consistently would allow Ball to defend the wing and roam off the ball, where he can can interrupt passing lanes and force turnovers. Offensively, DiVincenzo’s pull-up shooting and smooth three-point stroke would allow him to generate offense in a variety of situations.
Whether or not DiVincenzo is an NBA starter is questionable, but he has one of the more well-rounded offensive skill sets in the late-first round. He’d be able to provide the Lakers with valuable minutes right away.
The Sixers might not want to use two guaranteed roster spots in the first round. Musa might spend another season or two overseas, affording the front office some added flexibility as free agency approaches.
At 6-8, Musa is an absolute dynamo on the offensive end. He can score all over the floor, using herky-jerky dribble combinations, silky finishes and fluid pull-ups to attack defenders in isolation. He has drawn some Euro-Jamal Crawford comparisons as a result.
There are significant concerns about Musa’s ability to defend in the NBA. That said, his upside as a bench gunner who can score in bunches is enough to warrant first-round consideration.
The Celtics’ playoff run might come at a cost. Both Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart saw their value rise significantly, with Smart hitting restricted free agency this summer. The Celtics might have to cut ties with at least one of their backcourt reserves.
Enter Holiday, one of the most productive players in college basketball last season. Filling Lonzo Ball and Bryce Alford’s shoes at UCLA, his combination of pull-up shooting and improved playmaking chops should earn first-round looks.
The Celtics can grab another capable ball handler with the ability to function both on and off the ball. If Rozier inevitably leaves, it’s easy to picture Holiday taking over the role of bench spark plug.
Okogie put together one of the best combine performances this summer. A supremely versatile defender with a high motor, he should slide into Golden State’s positionless rotation with ease.
Adding weight will be a priority, but Okogie already has a solid frame with room to bulk up. He should be capable of defending three or four positions, all while using his athleticism to interrupt passing lanes and make plays as a weak-side rim protector.
On the other end, Okogie projects as a capable spot-up shooter with upside beyond that. He’s not a polished ball handler, but showed the ability to hit tough shots off the bounce during his two years at Georgia Tech.
The Nets love versatile defenders and skilled offensive players, and Evans fits the bill. While not an elite athlete, Evans’ instincts make him one of the best defenders outside the lottery.
At 6-5 with a 7-0 wingspan, Evans can defend three positions. He was a major part of Cincinnati’s two-way success, making disciplined rotations and averaging over a steal and block per game last season.
Evans also gives the Nets another shooter who, despite limited on-ball potential, stays in constant motion and makes the right passes when available. He’s one of the smartest players left on the board.
At 6-10 with fluid shooting mechanics and solid mobility, Kurucs projects well in the modern NBA. The Hawks have three first-round picks, which might push them toward at least one draft-and-stash prospect.
Kurucs took a step back this season after getting top-20 love in 2017. He struggled to carve out a role on Barcelona’s main squad, spending most of his time on their B-team once again. Whoever drafts him will need to make sure he’s in a situation that encourages development.
Given his size and playmaking potential, Kurucs makes sense as an end-of-round investment. He’ll spend a couple years overseas, then give the Hawks another versatile frontcourt piece to integrate next to John Collins and Mo Bamba.
2nd round
31. Phoenix Suns — Jalen Brunson, G, Villanova
32. Memphis Grizzlies — Mitchell Robinson, C, Chamlette H.S.
33. Dallas Mavericks — Anfernee Simons, G, IMG Academy
34. Atlanta Hawks — Melvin Frazier, F, Tulane
35. Orlando Magic — Moritz Wagner, C, Michigan
36. New York Knicks — Rawle Alkins, G, Arizona
37. Sacramento Kings — Shake Milton, G, SMU
38. Philadelphia 76ers — Khyri Thomas, G, Creighton
39. Philadelphia 76ers — Omari Spellman, F, Villanova
40. Brooklyn Nets — Jarred Vanderbilt, F, Kentucky
41. Orlando Magic — Bruce Brown Jr., G, Miami
42. Detroit Pistons — Gary Trent Jr., G, Duke
43. Denver Nuggets — Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky
44. Washington Wizards — Landry Shamet, G, Wichita State
45. Brooklyn Nets — Arnoldas Kulboka, F, Capo D’Orlando
46. Houston Rockets — Chimezie Metu, C, USC
47. Los Angeles Lakers — Wenyen Gabriel, F, Kentucky
48. Minnesota Timberwolves — Devonte’ Graham, G, Kansas
49. San Antonio Spurs — Isaac Bonga, F, Frankfurt
50. Indiana Pacers — Justin Jackson, F, Maryland
51. New Orleans Pelicans — Malik Newman, G, Kansas
52. Utah Jazz — Kevin Hervey, F, Texas Arlington
53. Oklahoma City Thunder — Jevon Carter, G, West Virginia
54. Dallas Mavericks — Devon Hall, G, Virginia
55. Charlotte Hornets — Ray Spalding, C, Louisville
56. Philadelphia 76ers — Issuf Sanon, G, Olimpija Ljubljana
57. Oklahoma City Thunder — Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, F, Kansas
58. Denver Nuggets — Tony Carr, G, Penn State
59. Phoenix Suns — Trevon Duval, G, Duke
60. Philadelphia 76ers — Kostas Antetokounmpo, F, Dayton
Next: 2018 NBA Draft Big Board 6.0
With the 2018 NBA Draft rapidly approaching, you can keep track of all our draft content — including profiles, big boards, mocks, etc. — here.