2018 NBA Mock Draft 9.0

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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – April 14: Mitchell Robinson #24 W. Kentucky dunks during the Jordan Brand Classic, National Boys Team All-Star basketball game at The Barclays Center on April 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – April 14: Mitchell Robinson #24 W. Kentucky dunks during the Jordan Brand Classic, National Boys Team All-Star basketball game at The Barclays Center on April 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Robinson left Western Kentucky over the summer, instead electing to prepare for the draft full-time. While some off-court red flags have come up since then, he projects as one of the best frontcourt talents in the draft.

An electric athlete, Robinson has an NBA-ready physical profile. He would benefit from adding more muscle, but at 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, his athleticism gives him one for he highest defensive ceilings outside the top 10.

He’d also be an easy fit with the Lakers’ core, with or without LeBron. A high-energy lob-catcher, his ability to fill the lane and play above the rim would pair nicely with Lonzo Ball‘s penchant for on-target passes.