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2018 NBA Mock Draft (lottery edition 2.0): Trae Young rises up the board

We're halfway through the NBA season, which means the playoff picture is becoming more clear, and thus, as is the bottom half of the standings where teams fight - some less than others - to stay out the basement.

You may see some familiar names from the top of our first mock draft, but now, a new challenger enters the ring in an attempt to dethrone the reigning No. 1 projected pick, Deandre Ayton.

(Draft order as of Jan. 13, 2018):

1. Hawks - Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona

Last Mock Draft: 1st

The hype surrounding Trae Young, Luka Doncic, and Marvin Bagley continues to grow, but the top pick stays the same as Ayton maintains the most unteachable quality in basketball: size.

The 7-foot-1, 260-pound freshman is averaging 20.2 points and 11.3 rebounds for an Arizona squad that has recovered from its early-season struggles, winning 11 of 12 games. With the only real bit of quality for Atlanta coming from Dennis Schroder, the Hawks need to make the safest pick in the draft and Ayton provides just that.

2. Magic - Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma

Last Mock Draft: 13th

What a rise it's been for the freshman point guard. Young has been a terror for opposing teams, as he leads the nation in points (30.1) and assists (9.9) per game while hitting 40.7 percent of his 3-point attempts. Despite his lack of size and athleticism, it would be the right direction for the Magic, who are seemingly prepared to move on from Elfrid Payton.

3. Kings - Luka Doncic, PG/SG, Slovenia

Last Mock Draft: 2nd

If the Kings end up with Doncic, it'll be a blessing for a franchise that's been in disarray for over a decade. The 18-year-old Euroleague star has been dominant against some NBA-level talent, averaging 17.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 5.5 rebounds for one of the top teams in the world. The Kings have a solid young core going forward but could use a true floor general. Nobody is more ready to fill that role than the Slovenian.

4. Grizzlies - Marvin Bagley III, PF/C, Duke

Last Mock Draft: 3rd

It's time for the Grizzlies to start fresh and Bagley is a great centerpiece, with the size and athleticism to make him a force in the NBA. He's been an absolute beast this season, putting up some of the best numbers in college basketball for one of the top programs. His 22.5 points and 11.7 rebounds are a product of his powerful post presence, but a consistent jumper will make the 6-foot-11 big man a real superstar.

5. Mavericks - Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF, Missouri

Last Mock Draft: 4th

Oh, what could have been. It was fair to assume Porter would be the consensus top pick in the draft prior to getting injured just two minutes into his first game with Missouri. Regardless, as was the case with other players who experienced injury-shortened college seasons such as Kyrie Irving and Joel Embiid, Porter's potential makes it hard to imagine he falls out of the top five. This is an opportunity for Dallas to take the risk and draft the potential superstar it so desperately needs with Dirk Nowitzki on his way to retirement.

6. 76ers (via Lakers*) - Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama

Last Mock Draft: 6th

*If the pick falls between 2-5, the Boston Celtics get the pick. If the pick is 1 or between 6-30, it goes to Philadelphia.

It's impossible to project what the 76ers are aiming for in the draft, as their young core is talented enough to warrant simply filling out the rest of the roster with veterans. However, with the Markelle Fultz saga getting stranger each day (his jump shot looks as broken as ever), it's reasonable to assume they opt for some insurance.

Sexton is an explosive, score-first point guard who can give Philadelphia a lethal spark off the bench. The 76ers have never shied away from making young players fight for minutes, even if he is one of the top guards in the nation.

If the pick falls to Boston, expect them to invest in one of Bagley, Porter, Mohamed Bamba, or Jaren Jackson Jr.

7. Cavaliers (via Nets) - Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas

Last Mock Draft: 5th

It's hard to imagine a player with the defensive potential of Bamba to drop this low, but it says more about how deep this draft is than it does about the quality of the Texas center. He's averaging 4.4 blocks per game, and his length and agility could turn him into one of the best pick-and-roll defenders in the league. On offense, he's raw and not ready to make a significant difference, but he runs the floor like a guard and has a good looking jump shot, so all is not lost on that end.

8. Bulls - Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Michigan State

Last Mock Draft: 7th

The Bulls are set at three positions, with Kris Dunn, Zach Lavine, and Lauri Markkanen looking to be the franchise's building blocks. What they're missing is a big man who can make a difference on both ends of the floor. Jackson is the ideal fit, averaging 3.3 blocks per game while hitting 43.4 percent from three. His 6-foot-11, 240-pound frame is intimidating, and his ability to stretch the floor next to Markkanen gives the Bulls some added firepower to build around.

9. Suns - Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Michigan State

Last Mock Draft: 8th

Phoenix will be in a difficult position if it drops this far in the draft. Devin Booker is a star who's missing a real wingman and the Suns' recent draft selections are beginning to look like misses. While it would be ideal to snag a center, it's far safer to take the best player in this position.

Enter Miles Bridges. The sophomore leader at Michigan State can become a two-way star. He's capable of playing either forward spot, and even if he's undersized as a power forward, his strength and ability to stretch the floor could turn him into one of the best and most reliable players in this deep draft.

10. Hornets - Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova

Last Mock Draft: 11th

If you're wondering, no, he is not related to Miles. But similar to the previous selection, he's the unequivocal leader of one of the best teams in the country. And while he doesn't display any eye-popping ability, Bridges has the potential to become a premier 3-and-D option for a team looking for perimeter help.

If the Hornets wish to move forward with Kemba Walker as their point guard, somebody who can shore up any defensive deficiencies will surely help the team in the long run.

11. Jazz - Kevin Knox, SF/PF, Kentucky

Last Mock Draft: 10th

The reeling Jazz lucked out when they drafted Donovan Mitchell last year. Pending Rudy Gobert's long-term health, the next move for Utah would be to plug in a small-ball power forward who can give it some much-needed shooting. At this point, Knox has been a solid option for Kentucky, but his inconsistencies are evident. His ceiling, however, is high enough that taking a flier on the forward and his long-range potential shouldn't be in doubt.

12. Knicks - Wendell Carter Jr., C, Duke

Last Mock Draft: 14th

It's unfortunate Carter doesn't get the credit he deserves for Duke's early dominance. His play around the basket has been invaluable, averaging 13.4 points and 8.8 rebounds. His numbers would surely get a significant bump if not for Bagley's emergence as one of the nation's top players. The Knicks can use Carter's versatility and unselfishness next to Kristaps Porzingis - something they've been lacking during their poor play the past month.

13. 76ers - Dzanan Musa, SG/SF, Bosnia

Last Mock Draft: N/A

If Musa does decide to enter the draft, teams will have the chance to snag a fearless shooter. Musa, like Doncic, has made a name for himself as a teenager showing NBA-level talent overseas. At 6-foot-9, the 18-year-old has the size and scoring ability - 11.9 points and 39.5 percent from three in Eurocup - to make an impact in the NBA. It certainly wouldn't hurt Philadelphia to get a big shooter to plug next to its bevy of young stars.

14. Clippers - Robert Williams, C, Texas A&M

Last Mock Draft: 9th

The up-and-down season for Williams hasn't benefited his draft stock, but he can still be an impact player in the NBA despite his lack of size at the center position. His 7-foot-5 wingspan and relentless shot-blocking ability make him a solid choice to plug next to Blake Griffin if the Clippers move on from DeAndre Jordan.

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