Our final projections for all 60 picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.
The 2018 NBA Draft is officially ONE DAY AWAY. There hasn’t been any shortage of storylines either, with numerous potential trades on the table and no clear consensus when it comes to the top prospects in the draft.
More so than normal, there is an extreme amount of variance between projections from site to site. Nobody has a solid understanding of how the top 10 will play out, with Deandre Ayton — and to a lesser extent Marvin Bagley III — being the only surefire picks.
Our job, as a site without inside intel, is to sift through all the reports, analyze all the prospects, and come to a conclusion based on the following factors: team fit, projected draft range and relevant reports. These picks are not necessarily the moves I would make as GM, although I will advocate for several of the proposed selections.
If you want my top-60 rankings, click here. That is where you’ll find personal analysis of why certain prospects are superior, including blurbs for all 60 prospects. The Philadelphia 76ers will enter the draft with six picks, including two first-round selections: 10th and 26th.
At this point, Ayton seems locked into the first overall pick. He played in-state at Arizona, while the Suns’ owner has deep roots at the university. With arguably the highest upside in the draft, Ayton gives Phoenix the cornerstone big they’ve been lacking for years.
At 7-foot with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he’s built like the Hulk — boasting an impressive blend of size, muscle and quickness. He can stick with guards on switches and has obvious potential as a rim-protector, even if his collegiate defense was subpar.
On the offensive end, he’s a skilled post scorer who can pass, shoot and attack in straight-line drives. He has all the tools of a potentially generational talent in the middle. The Suns will take Ayton and happily move forward with their rebuild.
Initially thought to be a two-man race between Bagley and Luka Doncic, the Kings appear to be leaning toward Bagley as draft day approaches. One of the most productive players in college basketball as a freshman, Bagley’s offensive ceiling is likely something Sacramento covets.
Despite defensive limitations, Bagley’s athleticism gives him one of the highest floors in the draft. He’s going to be the best rebounder the class, while his ability to space the floor, attack closeouts and finish with finesse around the rim should make him the Kings’ go-to scorer down the line.
If Bagley can apply his athleticism to perimeter defense, his upside increases even further. He’ll never been an elite rim protector, but he has the tools needed to carve out a niche in a switch-heavy league.
Assuming Ayton and Bagley are foregone conclusions, the draft really starts at No.3, where the Hawks are reportedly shuffling between Jaren Jackson Jr. and Doncic, with the latter gaining steam. After leading Real Madrid to the ACB title, Doncic should be the favorite here.
At 6-foot-8, Doncic is the best offensive prospect in the draft. With dynamic handles, NBA range and unreal vision, the 19-year-old can shred defenses in the pick-and-roll. What he lacks in elite athleticism, he makes up for it with craft and basketball I.Q.
The Hawks seem prepared to move past the Dennis Schroder era, meaning they’ll need a primary facilitator and an offensive identity. Doncic checks both boxes, giving Lloyd Pierce an elite facilitator to build an up-tempo attack around.
The Grizzlies are looking to compete next season and are reportedly considering Michael Porter Jr., who would give them a go-to scorer on the wing while keeping Marc Gasol and Mike Conley in charge of their respective positions.
Porter’s injury concerns have been well-documented after back problems limited him to three games at Missouri. He was still the consensus No. 1 prospect coming into the season before Bagley’s reclassification, so the talent is undeniably there.
With Doncic off the board, the window for Porter to sneak into the top four is wide open. It might come as a surprise to some, but this seems like a legitimate possibility. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mohamed Bamba both refused workouts with Memphis and withheld their medicals.
Bamba presents the highest defensive ceiling in the draft, using his 7-foot-10 wingspan to alter shots and accumulate blocks. The Mavericks might be eyeing a center in free agency, but they’re in a position where Best Player Available makes sense. That’s Bamba.
An elite finisher at the rim, Bamba could be the beneficiary of Dennis Smith Jr.’s dribble penetration. He’s also working on his spot-up shooting, which could turn into an important development down the line.
One of the smartest individuals in the draft, it’s not difficult to have confidence in Bamba’s long-term outcome. He works hard, wants to improve and has some of the more intriguing physical tools in recent memory.
If the Magic are fortunate enough to have Jackson fall into their laps, it’s difficult to imagine them going in a different direction. He’s the perfect modern big, switching on defense and spacing the floor on offense.
Orlando doesn’t have much in terms of long-term pieces right now, with Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon (a restricted free agent) being the only young talent worth investing in. Jackson would probably be the best prospect of the bunch, giving the Magic a potential two-way cornerstone.
Depending on how the roster shakes out, Jackson might spend his first year as Nikola Vucevic‘s understudy. As one of the youngest players in the draft, though, Orlando would have plenty of time to bring Jackson along.
The Bulls lack frontcourt depth next to Lauri Markkanen. Carter can serve as Robin Lopez‘s eventual (or immediate) replacement, giving the Bulls an all-around big who can post-up, space the floor and move the ball.
Perimeter defense is the biggest concern with Carter’s game, but he’s an decent athlete with plus physical tools. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, his combination of length and basketball I.Q. should bode well under an NBA coaching staff.
Carter has drawn a lot of comparisons to Al Horford in the pre-draft process, and for good reason. He’s fundamentally sound and does all the little things offensively, something that could be useful when paired with a skilled power forward of Markkanen’s ilk.
Young seems to be slipping down draft boards, with ESPN’s recent projections slotting him 12th. He reportedly had a secret workout with the Cavs on Saturday, though, with Cleveland deciding between Young and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander if Michael Porter Jr. is no longer available.
Defense is a major concern with Young, but his offensive upside should persuade the Cavs. His game-breaking range would work wonders with or without LeBron James, while his impressive playmaking chops would give the Cavs somebody to build around if the King inevitably leaves.
The reason for the decline in Young’s stock is understandable, but it’s difficult to imagine 11 teams passing on a generational shooter and passer who put up historic numbers all season long. There were rough patches, sure, but Young is arguably the best offensive prospect in the draft outside of Doncic.
Knox’s stock has been rising lately, projected somewhere in the 7-14 range. The Knicks seem to be gaining a lot of traction given their underwhelming wing depth and limited versatility on the perimeter.
At 6-foot-9, Knox has a lot of desirable tools. He can space the floor, fluidly attack the lane and defend multiple positions, all of which fits into the modern NBA. It’s easy to picture Knox growing into a complimentary role next to Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Kentucky wasn’t the best team to showcase the full extent of Knox’s talent. Gilgeous-Alexander was their only reliable playmaker and proper spacing was hard to come by. With NBA talent around him and an offensive system that’s conducive to his success, we could see considerable growth.
Bridges and the Sixers reportedly have mutual interest. A local kid who spent his collegiate career down the street at Villanova, Bridges is almost the perfect fit — a 3-and-D prospect who works off the ball, splashes threes and defends multiple positions.
Despite lacking the upside of some of his lottery counterparts, Bridges should have a fairly seamless transition to the next level. His game is easy to project, using his 7-foot-2 wingspan to choke off passing lanes defensively and shooting 43.5 percent from deep.
He won’t create for others, but Bridges gives the Sixers’ another player who can run through Brett Brown‘s maze of screens and benefit from the playmaking prowess of Ben Simmons. He has been lauded as a high-character guy who works hard, making him an excellent fit in the Sixers’ culture.
It seems as though 11th is the absolute floor for Gilgeous-Alexander on Thursday. Jonathan Givony also hinted that the Kentucky product has been ‘angling’ to go to Charlotte or Los Angeles during his quiet pre-draft process.
The Hornets find themselves at a crossroads as an organization, boasting a lot of expensive talent and no clear path toward contention. It seems like that new-GM Mitch Kupchak will kickstart their rebuild by drafting Kemba Walker‘s inevitable replacement.
At 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wingspan, Gilgeous-Alexander has incredible defensive tools at the one. He’s also the draft’s most effective facilitator outside of Young and Doncic, using slippery ball-handling to get into the lane and locate open teammates.
If any one of Young, Gilgeous-Alexander or Sexton is available, the Clippers are likely to jump on the opportunity to draft them. Lacking a long-term solution at point guard, L.A. could opt to start a rebuild of their own around the Alabama dynamo.
Sexton has some glaring red flags on the court, but he does have one thing going for him: his work ethic. Both on and off the court, he has always garnered praise as somebody who works hard and puts all his energy into the game. He’s somebody who can lead a locker room.
An explosive athlete who uses his strong frame to absorb contact and finish downhill, Sexton will need to become a more willing passer at the next level. He also needs to work on his three-point shot, as his current mechanics will likely yield streaky, inconsistent results.
With DeAndre Jordan‘s future in question, the Clippers can chase the best center available in Williams. He’d give them another athletic rim-runner who can catch lobs and, ideally, develop chemistry with Collin Sexton in the coming years.
Williams’ defensive upside might be equal to some of the bigs taken earlier in the lottery, boasting elite physical tools and jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism. At 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he can slide his feet on the perimeter and soar well above the rim for blocks.
His offensive game is somewhat limited, but Williams fills does fit a valuable complimentary role. He flashed upside as a shooter during his freshman season, but there’s no guarantee that he can reliably stretch his game beyond the paint at this point.
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.
The Wizards luck out with a lottery talent in Bridges. As somebody who can play both forward spots, he could either start next to Otto Porter Jr. or spend his first season as an offensive spark off the bench.
Bridges has often been labeled as a tweener due to his questionable physical profile. He’s only 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, which isn’t long for somebody who projects best in a small-ball four role. Still, his strength and elite athleticism should help him compensate on the defensive end.
A knockdown shooter who can hit tough shots off the dribble, Bridges showed flashes of go-to scoring at Michigan State. His handles need to improve, but he has the shooting stroke and explosiveness needed to be quite the steal at 15.
Robinson’s rise during the pre-draft process has been meteoric. Once a fringe second-round prospect, he seems to be trending closer and closer to the lottery. The Suns, who addressed their frontcourt needs with Ayton, can now fill their point guard void at 16.
A crafty scorer with decent size for a comboguard, it’s easy to see the appeal with Robinson. He can create his own offense at a high level, generating dribble pull-ups from mid-range and flashing nice touch around the rim. He’s also a solid spot-up shooter.
Defense is a question mark, but Robinson should be capable of spending time on both guard spots. He’s not an elite athlete, but 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-7 wingspan should be enough for him to hold his own if he puts in the effort.
The Bucks can add some long-term point guard depth with one of the biggest risers in the draft. Holiday, the younger bother of Jrue and Justin, was one of the most productive offensive players in college basketball last season.
Holiday’s elite three-point shooting would be a nice fit next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, allowing him to work off the ball when needed. He struggled to create against length in college, but is generally a smart pick-and-roll ball-handler who can get to the rim and finish with touch.
On the defensive end, being just 6-foot-1 limits Holiday in some capacity. His effort level and 6-foot-8 wingspan help him make up that ground, though. He should at least be able to competently defend the point of attack against opposing point guards.
Smith is one of the most unique prospects in the draft. He’s an otherworldly athlete, throwing down alley-oops and making weak-side blocks with the best of them. His defensive upside and high basketball I.Q. are tantalizing.
The only issue is that Smith’s auxiliary skills are underdeveloped, to say the least. He can make smart passes, but doesn’t have functional handles or a clean three-point stroke. He hit a high percentage of his deep balls in college, but that came with a slow release and little movement.
In short, Smith is a project who will take some time to develop. There’s no team better to doctor his shot and max out that upside than the Spurs, who could be walking into an absolute heist at 18 if things break Smith’s way.
In a positionless league, Brown brings a lot of intrigue as a versatile defender who can playmake off the dribble. He’d be a wise investment for a Hawks team that, under Lloyd Pierce, will be looking to build an up-tempo system and defensive identity.
Assuming Schroder is eventually traded, Atlanta would be able to throw out lineups that include Doncic, Brown, Taurean Prince and John Collins — three capable creators who can run the floor while Collins fills the lane. That’s a really solid core to build around.
Brown will need to answer questions about his lateral quickness and consistency as a shooter, but his upside as a secondary playmaker and three-position defender should be enough to pique the Hawks’ interest at 19.
DiVincenzo has been shooting up draft boards ever since his 31-point performance in Villanova’s national championship win. As one of the most talented comboguards in the draft, the Wolves could jump on him in an effort to establish long-term perimeter depth.
Jeff Teague is a solid player, but he wasn’t particularly impressive last season. Derrick Rose inexplicably got more playing time than Tyus Jones, who doesn’t seem too happy about his situation. Grabbing another player who can handle the ball and space the floor around Karl-Anthony Towns makes sense.
Traditionally, Thibs isn’t the biggest fan of playing rookies. DiVincenzo could be an exception, though, playing hard-nosed defense and showing impressive poise as the sixth man in Villanova’s pro-style offense.
The Jazz are looking for shooting to pair with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Huerter is arguably the best shooter in the draft outside of Trae Young, using off-ball movement to find open space and knock down shots with consistency.
At 6-foot-7, Huerter has good size for his position. He’s not an advanced creator, but he is capable of attacking closeouts and getting to the rim in striaght-line drives. His passing is underrated as well — he doesn’t let the ball stick, either pulling the trigger, dumping it off or making a move to the rim.
Huerter is thought to have a promise from the Lakers at 25, but it’s doubtful that he falls that far. The Jazz at 21 might be his absolute floor, barring a draft-night surprise.
The Bulls love four-year players, and Hutchison fits that bill. Shouldering one of the biggest offensive loads in the country at Boise State, Hutchison flashed dynamic driving ability and shooting touch that should intrigue teams in the 20s.
At 6-foot-7, Hutchison also projects as a versatile defender who can spend time on three or four positions. He’ll need to add strength at the next level, but that’s the norm for most rookies. He should be an excellent complimentary piece who can exceed the typical 3-and-D label.
Hutchison’s shooting has been questioned in the past, but he showed steady improvement in four consecutive seasons. His spot-up mechanics are smooth and that seems to be an indicator that he can reliably space the floor in the NBA.
The Pacers might be looking for another point guard to pair with Victor Oladipo. Okobo is the best lead guard available, soaring up draft boards after a series of strong performances in France. He checks a lot of boxes for Indiana.
Despite being just 6-foot-3, Okobo is long enough to defend either guard spot. He can also play without the ball, hitting spot-up threes at a high level and staying in motion. Given Oladipo’s usage rate, that’s key to their ability to coexist on the perimeter.
A crafty ball-handler who shoots lefty, Okobo naturally draws some comparisons to James Harden. He’s nowhere near that level as a player, but can make some impressive shots off the bounce and finish with touch in the lane.
An enigma of sorts, Simons is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. He’s making the leap from high school to the NBA, which is inherently difficult. He was also a top-10 recruit in the 2019 class before declaring, presenting one of the highest ceilings outside the lottery discussion.
The question is whether or not he can reach that ceiling. With a thin frame and questionable instincts, Simons is years away from producing consistently in the NBA. He’s a talented shot-maker who poses a threat from all over the floor, but it will take time for him to put the pieces together.
With that said, his upside could be worth a late first-round pick. He reportedly canceled a workout with the Grizzlies to audition for Portland a second time. As Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have their future called into question, the Blazers may look for an understudy.
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.
The Sixers can double down on perimeter help by adding one of the best shooters in the draft. Allen has drawn his share of criticism over the years, but he’s a fiery competitor who fits some of the Sixers’ foremost needs on the offensive end.
Operating in a bench role, Allen can help lessen the sting from losing either J.J. Redick or Marco Belinelli this offseason, which seems highly possible. He moves well off the ball and boasts quick mechanics in catch-and-shoot scenarios, all while presenting some upside as a secondary ball-handler.
Allen fared well in the combine’s athletic testing, which should give some optimism regarding his defensive potential. He won’t be elite on that end, but he plays hard and should be able to hold his own at 6-foot-5.
The Celtics need some depth on the perimeter, with Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier potentially playing themselves out of affordable contracts during the playoffs. An upgrade over Shane Larkin wouldn’t hurt either. Melton fits the bill.
As one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft, Melton’s fit with Boston is clear-cut. He’s a versatile perimeter defender, displaying elite instincts off the ball and using his 6-foot-9 wingspan to bother opposing ball-handlers.
Melton will need to prove that he can shoot consistently at the next level, but he has flashed improved three-point mechanics during pre-draft workouts. He’s also a skilled slasher with nice feel as a passer, potentially fitting into multiple different roles on the offensive end.
Musa is likely to come over next season, giving the Warriors another shooter on the wing who can score in bunches off the bench. At 6-foot-8, Musa’s advanced handles and smooth stroke allows him to score proficiently at all three levels.
There are plenty of concerns with Musa as a prospect. His shot selection isn’t always great, he doesn’t have great physical tools, and his defense is one of the biggest negatives in the first round. Still, given his polished offensive talent, he feels like somebody the Warriors can maximize.
Adding strength and translating some of his competitive fire into defensive consistency will be key for Musa. He’s rather one-dimensional right now, which is never good — even if he’s extremely talented in that one dimension.
A quick-twitch athlete who showed out at the combine, Frazier is the perfect Nets pick. He’s another long, versatile defender whose offense, albeit raw, has considerable upside for a late first-round pick.
At 6-foot-6, Frazier boasts a 7-foot-2 wingspan and impressive hustle. He’s all over the floor defensively, forcing steals and taking on the challenge of defending the opposition’s best player. He can also make the occasional weak-side block, using his athleticism to blow up plays.
Frazier showed considerable growth on the offensive end last season, most notably as a shooter. His form is unorthodox, with his release coming at head level, but he shot 38.5 percent from deep last season. There’s a good chance that he’s a serviceable spot-up shooter.
After adding two perimeter pieces in Doncic and Brown, the Hawks can close out the first round with some frontcourt depth. Wagner played an integral role in Michigan’s run to the championship game and is one of the draft’s best spot-up shooters at 7-foot.
Wagner needs to bulk up to become a passable NBA defender, but he projects as a valuable offensive piece who can space the floor and attack closeouts with long, fluid strides. He’s also a solid screener and willing ball-mover, which is important in a Doncic-led offense.
Given the Hawks’ wealth of young playmaking (in this mock scenario, at least), Wagner should be able to contribute immediately as a floor-spacing big and talented all-around scorer at the five. Again, his defense is an issue, but the Hawks can afford to work through those concerns in a rebuilding season.
2nd round
31. Phoenix Suns — Josh Okogie, G, Georgia Tech
32. Memphis Grizzlies — Jalen Brunson, G, Villanova
33. Dallas Mavericks — Jacob Evans, G, Cincinnati
34. Atlanta Hawks — Hamidou Diallo, G, Kentucky
35. Orlando Magic — Bruce Brown Jr., G, Miami
36. New York Knicks — Khyri Thomas, G, Creighton
37. Sacramento Kings — Keita Bates-Diop, F, Ohio State
38. Philadelphia 76ers — Rodions Kurucs, F, Barcelona 2
39. Philadelphia 76ers — Gary Trent Jr., G, Duke
40. Brooklyn Nets — Jarred Vanderbilt, F, Kentucky
41. Orlando Magic — Jevon Carter, G, West Virginia
42. Detroit Pistons — Shake Milton, G, SMU
43. Denver Nuggets — Omari Spellman, F, Villanova
44. Washington Wizards — Devonte’ Graham, G, Kansas
45. Charlotte Hornets — Issuf Sanon, G, Olimpija Ljubljana
46. Houston Rockets — Chimezie Metu, C, USC
47. Los Angeles Lakers — Landry Shamet, G, Wichita State
48. Minnesota Timberwolves — Kevin Hervey, F, Texas Arlington
49. San Antonio Spurs — Isaac Bonga, F, Frankfurt
50. Indiana Pacers — Kenrich Williams, F, TCU
51. New Orleans Pelicans — Rawle Alkins, G, Arizona
52. Utah Jazz — Ray Spalding, C, Louisville
53. Oklahoma City Thunder — Justin Jackson, F, Maryland
54. Dallas Mavericks — Malik Newman, G, Kansas
55. Charlotte Hornets — Kostas Antetokounmpo, F, Dayton
56. Philadelphia 76ers — Tryggvi Hlinason, C, Valencia
57. Oklahoma City Thunder — Devon Hall, G, Virginia
58. Denver Nuggets — Gary Clark, F, Cincinnati
59. Phoenix Suns — Trevon Duval, G, Duke
60. Philadelphia 76ers — Arnoldas Kulboka, F, Capo D’Orlando
Next: 2018 NBA Draft Big Board 7.0
The 2018 NBA Draft will air on ESPN at 7 PM E.T. on June 21.