2018 NBA Mock Draft: Full two-round, postseason mockby Connor HarrPhoto by Emilio Cobos/EB via Getty Images
1) Luka Doncic
SG/SF Slovenia Memphis Grizzlies
Luka Doncic is currently 19 years old playing for Real Madrid in the EuroLeague. The teenager is averaging an unprecedented 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in the second-best basketball league in the world. Never has a single international draft prospect put up the kind of numbers that Doncic has.
Doncic is a thicker 6’8″ point forward with tremendous passing vision and great scoring ability. His projected role will eventually be a lead ball-handler. However, I think for the first few years with the Memphis Grizzlies, Doncic benefits from being a secondary-handler to Mike Conley. His usage rate won’t be sky high like it is currently in the EuroLeague, and he can focus on getting adjusted to playing with NBA athletes.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images2) DeAndre Ayton
C Arizona Phoenix Suns
DeAndre Ayton is an absolute freak of nature in every great way imaginable. The 7’1″, 250-pound big man is beyond ready physically for the NBA. He’s a great rebounder, averaging 11.6 per game at Arizona, along with being relatively quick on his feet and extremely coordinated. He’s currently developing more of a perimeter and face-up game, but the production Ayton will provide offensively just by running the floor, rim-running off screens and offensive rebounding make his floor incredibly high.
The Phoenix Suns have a very underwhelming recent history with drafting big men. Prospects such as Alex Len, Dragan Bender, and Marquese Chriss were all selected or acquired by the Suns on draft night. Unfortunately, none of these players have lived up to their lottery selections. Ayton is a whole new level of talent though. The addition of Ayton will improve the Suns offensively, but could make a team that gave up the most points in the league even worse defensively.
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3) Jaren Jackson Jr.
PF/C Michigan State Orlando Magic
Jaren Jackson Jr is by far the best defensive prospect in the entire class. The combination of switch ability on the perimeter, rim protection and team defense is a rare combination. His defensive IQ is even more impressive, considering he’s one of the youngest players in the class. His perimeter game is still extremely raw, but I’m betting on his awkward mechanics to a least become a respectable 3-point shooter. He showed signs of encouragement with his shooting touch as well, shooting 39.6 percent from the 3-point line and 79.7 percent from the foul line.
The thought of having the most athletic frontcourt in the NBA by pairing Jackson with Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac could be extremely interesting. The Orlando Magic seem like a solid fit here since Jackson probably won’t be a starter right away. He can develop playing spot minutes while Nikola Vucevic is still under contract next season. Jackson’s fit with the Magic will also be heavily dependent on when they can obtain a quality point guard.
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4) Marvin Bagley III
PF/C Duke Dallas Mavericks
Marvin Bagley III has always been in the spotlight. Being a No. 1 recruit all throughout high school and then being unquestionably the best player on a Duke team with all five of their starters entering the draft is impressive. Bagley’s constant motor combined with his budding perimeter game make him a special prospect. He might also have a quicker second jump than anyone on the planet. The Duke freshman demolished Jabari Parker’s double-double record with ease, averaging a double-double on the season with 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game on 61.4 percent shooting.
The Dallas Mavericks’ roster is an absolute mess right now and just need to acquire talented players. They have received the most out of less talented young players like Yogi Ferrell, hopefully they can do even better with a prospect with unbelievable talent like Bagley. The key ingredient to Bagley’s development will be his defense. Rick Carlisle is probably one of the best guys to try and teach Marvin Bagley how to become a serviceable defender. So he can stay on the court and show off his amazing offensive talent, and not become a complete defensive liability.
Photo by Lance King/Getty Images 5) Wendell Carter Jr.
C Duke Atlanta Hawks
There’s a ton of things to like about the fellow Duke big man Wendell Carter Jr. Carter may not be a crazy athlete like Bagley or Jaren Jackson, but he’s extremely polished on both ends of the court. At 6’10” and 260 pounds, Carter is physically as ready for the NBA as any prospect other than DeAndre Ayton. Carter’s offensive game is highlighted by his ambidextrous finishing ability, to go along with his high IQ, great passing vision, and developing jump shot. On the other side of the ball Carter should be a serviceable rim protector and a quality team defender.
Carter can play an Al Horford type of role in Mike Budenholzer’s offense (assuming he stays with the Atlanta Hawks). You can involve Carter in dribble handoffs and make important passing reads playing out on the perimeter and in the high or mid-post. Carter would also be a quality complement to John Collins. He is so versatile offensively because of his skill level, and can play out on the perimeter when Collins is rim-running, looking for lobs to throw down. Carter also provides an element of rim protection that Collins does not. Expect Wendell Carter to be a quality NBA player for a long time.
Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images6) Mohamed Bamba
C Texas Chicago Bulls
Mohamed Bamba has unique length at his position. Standing at 7’0″ with a 7’9″ wingspan, this elite length makes Bamba an intriguing defensive prospect with a ton of upside if he can work on his slight frame. Bamba averaged 3.7 blocks this year at Texas and even though he is not as polished of a defender as Jaren Jackson, he still has a ton of upside.
The Chicago Bulls select Bamba here looking for a rim protector to pair with Lauri Markannen. Bamba is viewed as a project big man as his offensive game will be highly dependent on how his body continues to develop. With two years spent in an NBA strength program, Mo Bamba can develop into a high quality rim-runner rolling to the hoop for Kris Dunn.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images 7) Michael Porter Jr.
PF/SF Missouri Sacramento Kings
Michael Porter Jr. suffered from a disappointing freshman season at Missouri. Porter injured his back after two minutes in the first game of the season, and came back to play two postseason games looking like a shell of his former self. The hope is that Porter was just rusty and this back injury has not effected his explosiveness and burst as an athlete. Prior to the injury, Porter was expected to be as dominant, if not more dominant than any freshman in college basketball this season. He was the second-ranked recruit in the class next to Marvin Bagley. His ability to handle and shoot at his 6’10” size really sets him apart from most players in his class on a talent level.
I like what the Sacramento Kings are doing with their backcourt right now. It’s time they address their frontcourt and give De’Aaron Fox a high quality offensive weapon. Hopefully Porter’s medical report from the combine comes back all clear. However, if it does not, expect Porter to fall below the top 10. The Kings desperately need a versatile scorer like Porter in their frontcourt. Their two main starters this year, Zach Randolph and Willie Cauley-Stein, will not be high quality players on a team hoping to turn its franchise into a future contender after years of mediocrity.
Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images8) Trae Young
PG Oklahoma Cleveland Cavaliers
Trae Young came into the college basketball season relatively off all NBA radars. The star freshman dominated through college basketball early in the season. Young ended the season leading the NCAA in scoring and assists, averaging 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game. Despite his late season struggles, Young still proved he’s the best point guard prospect in the class. Combining his high level passing, vision and knockdown shooting ability, Young could develop into a real offensive threat.
Even though Young could eventually become an offensive threat, I think he’s better suited in an off-ball, secondary handler role. Playing off of LeBron James will give Young the opportunity to knock down open catch-and-shoot shots, which is something he never had the luxury of doing in college. LeBron has already expressed interest in Young, and the Cleveland Cavaliers will do anything to keep LeBron happy and have him re-sign this summer.
Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images 9) Mikal Bridges
SG/SF Villanova New York Knicks
Bridges has enjoyed solid progression each year at Villanova and has emerged as the best 3-and-D prospect in this class. His elite length, lateral quickness, and strong team defense all project him to become a high quality defender. Bridges also shot 43.5 percent from the 3-point line this season. He needs to get a little stronger, particularly in his upper half, if he wants to maximize his defensive potential, along with improving his shot diversity rather than just catching and shooting to maximize his offensive potential.
The great thing about drafting Bridges is that he can fit into any scheme. The New York Knicks in particular need consistent 3-point shooting along with wing defenders. Bridges is the first older prospect to be selected at 21 years old. However, his relatively low floor should make him an immediate starter on this Knicks team given their poor roster.
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images10) Miles Bridges
PF Michigan State Philadelphia 76ers
Miles Bridges passed on a surefire lottery selection last year. Even though Bridges did not improve his draft stock, he still has cemented himself as a lottery pick yet again. His shooting percentages and rebounds were down, but Bridges played out of position at Michigan State on the wing this year. He was forced to take on more of a secondary creator role, and showed tremendous strides in his shot diversity and playmaking.
The 76ers find themselves in the lottery once again this year, but this time via trade only (shoutout Sam Hinkie). They’re stockpiling their team with another young and talented asset. Bridges is a small-ball 4 in the NBA, and would fit nicely along the perimeter with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. His unselfish play combined with his quality 3-point shooting should make Bridges a valuable offensive threat in a low-usage role.
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11) Mitchell Robinson
C USA Charlotte Hornets
The Mitchell Robinson saga has been extremely interesting along with being well-documented. Robinson left the Western Kentucky program before the first game, then was denied entry into the G League. He screams out physical and athletic upside. Standing at 7’0″ with a 7’4″ wingspan and quick leaping ability, Robinson has the potential to become quality rim protector.
I’m not a fan of anything the Charlotte Hornets are doing right now. Personally, I believe they will be a lottery mainstay for the next few years. This is why they swing for the fences selecting Robinson. Taking a big in the first round is nothing new to the Hornets. However, taking a big with as much upside as Robinson is something they are not familiar with at all.
Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images12) Jontay Porter
C Missouri Los Angeles Clippers
As the brother of Michael Porter Jr., Jontay Porter has made quite a name for himself as a prospect this season. In an unexpected rise, Porter became a quality prospect in his own right after re-classifying to play college basketball a year early. Jontay is easily the best passing big man in the class with great court vision. Also Porter is a wonderful team defender with a high defensive IQ, constantly making quality rotations.
The Los Angeles Clippers are really missing Daniel Gafford not declaring here. The good news is they can settle for another quality big man. Other than DeAndre Jordan, their other center is Boban Marjanovic. Also, with DeAndre Jordan having a player option on his contract this summer, it is unclear if he will return. Porter should provide the Clippers with quality bench minutes and will bring a different element as a center. Playing almost exclusively on the perimeter offensively, Porter could open up some interesting ideas for the Clippers bench unit.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images 13) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
PG/SG Kentucky Los Angeles Clippers
Another unexpected one-and-done, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the top prospect on a Kentucky team always loaded with talent. Gilgeous-Alexander enjoyed tremendous success in a high-usage, lead ball-handler role at Kentucky. He’s a quality defender with great length for his position at 6’6″ with a 6’10” wingpsan. His ability to change speeds helps him get into the lane and he is an underrated playmaker.
Even though Shai played in such a high-usage role constantly handling the ball at Kentucky, he probably projects better as a secondary ball-handler. He should fit in well next to a ball-dominant Lou Williams. His potential to succeed in the league is highly dependent on the development of his shooting consistency, both pulling up and off the catch, along with working on his extremely skinny frame. If both of those elements improve, Alexander should be able to become a productive starter.
Photo by John Weast/Getty Images14) Zhaire Smith
SG Texas Tech Denver Nuggets
Zhaire Smith is NBA Draft Twitter royalty and I might hate myself for buying in. There’s easy athletic and defensive appeal with Smith though. His progression over his freshman season at Texas Tech as been phenomenal as well. A quality team defender, explosive leaper and a multi-positional defender, Smith has a lot of quality traits to bank on.
The Denver Nuggets select Smith because their wing spot is rather depleted, and they need quality defenders. Smith will get spot minutes immediately because of his defensive value. He is just so far away from having NBA skill offensively. He shot 45 percent this year from the 3-point line. Unfortunately, he only attempted just over one per game, but I do believe in his shooting development, even with his unorthodox shot. The Nuggets get a quality wing, lead ball-handler defender, and possibly a future Slam Dunk Contest champion.
Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images 15) Collin Sexton
PG Alabama Washington Wizards
Unfortunately, Sexton did not do enough to solidify himself as the top point guard prospect he was coming into the season. However, he did enough to be the second-best true point guard prospect in the class. Sexton plays with a mindset unlike any player I have ever seen. He’s relentless attacking the rim and has more passing vision than he gets credit for. He’s not the uber-athlete that everyone projected, but he’s no slouch athletically, and is an absolute pest defensively.
The Washington Wizards draft room would be going bananas if Sexton fell outside the lottery to them. Their desperate need for a backup point guard is more than clear. John Wall is locked up long-term, but after the end of the lottery you are looking for players that can continue contribute in any way. Sexton may not be a long-term piece for the Wizards because he will probably outplay his back up point guard slot, but wherever Sexton ends up, eventually his coaches will love his gym rat mentality and nonstop desire to compete.
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