The Sixer Sense
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2018 NBA Mock Draft 9.0

By Christopher Kline

TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 21: Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the a college basketball game between Connecticut Huskies and Arizona Wildcats on December 21, 2017, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Arizona leads at half over Connecticut 30-24. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - DECEMBER 21: Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton (13) during the a college basketball game between Connecticut Huskies and Arizona Wildcats on December 21, 2017, at McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. Arizona leads at half over Connecticut 30-24. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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player. 73. . SG. Miami. Lonnie Walker IV. 14

Walker has been rising up draft boards for his athleticism and two-way upside. He’s also one of the most intelligent players in the draft, wowing in interviews and likely impressing talent evaluators in the process.

The Nuggets are as well-eqipped as any team to maximize Walker’s skill set, running him through countless screens and rewarding his off-ball efforts with dimes from Nikola Jokic. Walker only shot  34.6 percent from deep last season, but he has compact mechanics that project well at the next level.

His ceiling as a perimeter defender is among the highest in this draft. At 6-foot-5, he’s an elite athlete with a wingspan that stretches just over 6-foot-10. He can jump passing lanes, be a pest on the ball or make the occasional weak-side block.