2018 NBA Mock Draft (lottery edition 3.0): Ayton, Doncic remain top prospects
With the NBA's All-Star weekend almost upon us, it means one thing for college basketball: March Madness is coming.
The draft picture is clearing up as the season continues, and, for the most part, the names in our mock draft are the same as in our first mock two months ago.
With a bit of shuffling, one thing remains a constant: Deandre Ayton can't be dethroned.
1. Hawks - Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona
Three mock drafts in, and Ayton's size and strength keeps him atop the list. A quick reminder: He's only 19 years old and his 7-foot-1, 250-pound body is NBA ready, as is his post game, jump shot, and positioning for rebounds. The Hawks would be crazy not to begin their rebuild with somebody as physically dominant as Ayton. He can become a franchise-changing center and could fit well with the super-active John Collins.
2. Suns - Luka Doncic, SG/SF, Slovenia
What more can be said about the Slovenian sensation? A top-five player in Eurobasket - a tournament filled with some of the wold's best European players - and he's making a strong case to become league MVP playing for possibly the best non-NBA team in the world. It's simply amazing that Doncic is turning 19 this month.
It makes sense for the Suns to go in this direction if the opportunity presents itself. Plugging in somebody with Doncic's offensive versatility next to Devin Booker should help the Suns toward relevance again. The 6-foot-8 Doncic's brilliant passing ability would help solve the question of who will be the Suns' floor general next to their young star.
3. Mavericks - Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF, Missouri
Injured just two minutes into the year, Porter was a highly touted prospect expected to lead this crop of elite talent as the first overall pick. It's hard to project his placement in the draft, but it's fair to assume he'll still hover around the top. With rumblings of a potential return, executives are licking their chops at the idea of getting a glimpse at Porter's scoring ability.
The Mavericks are in a position to take a big risk. And despite missing essentially the entire season, Porter's combination of size and scoring has given him some Kevin Durant-level buzz. It's unfair to expect him to become one of the best in the world, but Porter's ceiling wouldn't make it a surprise.
4. Magic - Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
Some of his weaknesses are being exposed as the season continues, but Young is still clearly the NCAA's best player and one of the best shooters in college history. You won't find somebody who can take over a game with endless range like Young. His historic season in Oklahoma makes him nearly irresistible, and with the Magic uncertain of their direction, expect them to gladly jump aboard the Young bandwagon.
5. Kings - Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Duke
Bagley has arguably been the second-best player in college basketball this year (behind an obvious candidate). His post scoring and dominance around the rim is light years ahead of his experience. The problem is that skill predates modern day basketball. There are several questions about his jump shooting, and if he isn't able to show it off, Bagley may be at risk of becoming a disappointment at the professional level.
However, the Kings lack legitimate post size to go with their young perimeter players. Bagley can dominate around the basket. The Kings have always fumbled with prospects and have made questionable decisions in the past, but there's a safe bet that, at the very least, this highly touted prospect can balance the frontcourt with Willie Cauley-Stein.
6. Grizzlies - Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
Other than Young's shooting, Bamba likely has the best singular talent in this draft: defense. He can give a team anything they need on the defensive end, whether he's asked to protect the rim on the weak side, slow down an opposing big, or help off switches against guards. His 7-foot-9 wingspan is terrifying to attack.
The Grizzlies need a potential franchise-changer with Marc Gasol aging. The team has struggled in the past with first-round picks, but Bamba is viewed highly for what he's capable of bringing defensively, as well as his raw offensive potential.
7. Cavaliers (via Nets) - Jaren Jackson Jr., C, Michigan State
A rare combination of elite shot blocking and 3-point shooting is what Jackson may provide. He has arguably the fewest flaws of the wide array of bigs in this draft, but his inability to stay on the floor due to foul trouble has made it difficult to inject him into the conversation. If LeBron James leaves Cleveland, arguably the best two-way big man in the draft is a nice place to start the rebuild. Especially with the Cavaliers struggling to protect the rim this season.
8. Bulls - Wendell Carter Jr., C, Duke
Duke's "other" big man has had himself a great season in the shadow of Bagley's dominance. Although he'll never be the top guy like some others in this draft, his ability to become an elite-level complementary player on both ends of the floor has allowed him to climb draft lists.
The Bulls would love to get a little higher in the draft and snag one of the more dominant centers, but Carter isn't a bad consolation prize for a team comprised of a ton of potential stars like Kris Dunn, Lauri Markkanen, and Zach LaVine.
9. Knicks - Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova
In a league where legitimate starting wings are becoming harder to come by, Bridges has the top level two-way talent that can contribute right away. Bridges can be a bully on the defensive end, and plugging him next to Frank Ntilikina's blue-collar defense and Kristaps Porzingis' rim protection, the Villanova star should flourish.
10. 76ers (via Lakers*) - Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Michigan State
*If the pick falls between Nos. 2-5, the Boston Celtics get the pick. If the pick is No. 1 or between Nos. 6-30, it goes to Philadelphia.
At 6-foot-6, Bridges' skills are best utilized as an undersized power forward. That may cause some teams to shy away, but in terms of high-level talent, few are able to bring the versatility of the Michigan State superstar. Bridges can easily defend multiple positions, has elite-level athleticism, and his 3-point range is something to be touted as well. It would be great for the 76ers to get some insurance for Joel Embiid, but getting Bridges' overall bulldog games should make any team better.
11. Hornets - Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
With insane athleticism as a point guard, Sexton will be able to jump into the NBA and find ways to contribute right off the bat. His explosiveness off the dribble and full-court speed make him a terror in transition. He also showed his defensive potential when he slowed Young down in their matchup earlier this season.
It's difficult to project anybody in this draft, and somebody is bound to fall. Sexton can be one of the best players in this deep draft, but his inconsistency at times may be his downfall. That could be the Hornets gain. The team has had little luck lately and could use somebody to give Kemba Walker a break once in a while.
12. Clippers (via Pistons*)- Lonnie Walker IV, SG, Miami
*If the pick falls between Nos. 1-4, the Pistons keep their pick this year.
For most of the season, Walker hasn't looked like the prospect many hoped he'd become. However, he's started nine of his last 10 games and has looked like a completely different player. To put it simply, Walker is a freak athlete who can jump out of the gym. It's more exciting knowing he's a capable jump shooter who's regained his form. As previously stated, high-level two-way wings have become a luxury, and a team may find gold in Walker.
The Clippers don't have a solid starting two-guard locked in beyond this season. Lou Williams is fresh off signing a three-year extension, though he excels in an instant-offense role off the bench, while Avery Bradley isn't a guarantee to re-sign this summer. Walker could serve as a perfect complement alongside the already highly athletic Clippers' forwards Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari, as well as center DeAndre Jordan - provided the latter isn't traded before then.
13. Jazz - Kevin Knox, SF/PF, Kentucky
Inconsistency at the college level generally makes it difficult to trust a player. That may be the case with Knox, who has the talent to be a top-five player, but at times plays like the G-League should be his home. When he's engaged, Knox can become an efficient scorer from everywhere, along with fantastic defensive instincts.
After the insane pre-All-Star break run by the Jazz, it's no guarantee they'll even be in the lottery, but if they somehow slow down, having Knox stretch the floor next to Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell could pay off for the Jazz's future.
14. Clippers - Robert Williams, C, Texas A&M
Playing out of position has forced Williams to start the year on the slow end. He's picked up his play over the last month, showing off his brute strength around the basket and his ability to be a slightly undersized rim protector. Much was expected from Williams, and he wasn't able to be a dominant force in his sophomore year, but his improved play has helped his stock.
The Clippers are in a confusing place. Are they rebuilding? Are they restructuring? If they're about to move on from DeAndre Jordan, Williams could be a nice developmental piece.