Live 2018 NBA Draft Grades

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1. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona - A+ Grade
   Once I saw Ayton in person at the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas, there was no question in my mind that he should be the top pick. He is a physical specimen and extremely athletic and mobile for someone his size. Phoenix has young talent on the wing and Ayton gives them an anchor inside and is also someone who can step out and shoot the ball well.
   
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2. Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley, PF, Duke - A- Grade
   Something has to be said that Bagley wants to play in Sacramento which many draft prospects reportedly weren't psyched about doing which is why I'm totally cool with Bagley being the pick over Doncic. He should have been a senior in high school this past season so he has a ton of room for growth with his all-around game which is already at a very high level.








3. Dallas Mavericks: Luke Doncic, PG, Slovenia - A Grade
   This pick is going to Dallas as it has had been rumored that the Mavs were trying to move up to get him and they did by including a future first rounder. Doncic is ready to make an immediate impact in the league and will help the Mavs rebuilding effort right away.



4. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson, PF, Michigan State - B+ Grade
   This might sound crazy but I think Jackson can be a poor man's Kevin Garnett. He is multi-faceted offensively and was also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He adds some needed athleticism and versatility to the Memphis frontcourt.



5. Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma - D Grade
   I've been saying all along I'm conductor of the "Collin Sexton is better than Trae Young" train so I especially don't get trading down for Young when Atlanta could use a wing scorer like Doncic. Plus, the Hawks already have Dennis Schroeder, so how does Young fit in unless Schroeder is going to get moved, which has to be the case? Still, this is way too high for Young in my opinion.






6. Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas - B Grade
   I don't love the fit in Orlando, but Bamba can be a special player in the NBA. I still think Collin Sexton is the best fit in Orlando, but Bamba's upside/potential/other fun draft words is higher so I get it.



7. Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter Jr., C, Duke - A Grade
   This should be a great fit alongside Lauri Markkanen so the Bulls have secured what figures out to be a very promising, young frontcourt of the future. Carter will rebound and provide the inside presence to complement Markkanen's perimeter skills.








8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama - A+ Grade
   In case you haven't figured it out by now, I LOVE Collin Sexton. The Cavs' point guard situation was a mess this season post-Kyrie Irving trade, and Sexton is going to compete his tail off. He can shoot it from deep and is also extremely aggressive attacking the rim. If LeBron James leaves, this is a nice piece for Cleveland's post-LeBron rebuilding effort.



9. New York Knicks: Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky - D+ Grade
   I'm not a Knox fan. Sure, he's a 6-9 combo forward with a long wingspan who looked good in workouts (blah blah), but every time I watched him at Kentucky, I came away unimpressed. I would have gone with Mikal Bridges or even rolled the dice with Michael Porter Jr. instead.



10. Philadelphia 76ers: Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova - A++++ Grade
    Bridges will come in right away and play a role in helping Philly continue their upward stride towards the top of the Eastern Conference. He can defend multiple position which will be extremely valuable for Philly. He can also knock down outside shots which will be helpful with Ben Simmons' driving ability.






11. Los Angeles Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky - B+ Grade
    The Clippers need guard depth and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the best one available. and it only cost them a pair of second-rounders to move up. With the Clippers still having No. 13, it was little to give up to get a versatile guard with great size and room for growth.



12. Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, SF, Michigan State - C+ Grade
    Charlotte has a plethora of wings; Batum, Kidd-Gilchrist, Monk, Lamb, so not sure how Brides fits in here. I would have kept Gilgeous-Alexander or rolled the dice with Porter. I think Bridges will be a solid pro but the fit just doesn't make a ton of sense.





13. Los Angeles Clippers: Jerome Robinson, SG, Boston College - C Grade
    Robinson SOARED up draft boards this past week and ended up in the lottery. He is versatile, can score, and play either guard spot, but this is a reach in my opinion. I think there are better combo guards available at this point.



14. Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri - A- Grade
    Can I give an incomplete grade because with all the health concerns, this pick is boom or bust. I won't cop out and do that though. Here's the deal: Porter was considered a top pick candidate a year ago, and if you're Denver, why not? You can take your time with him and make sure he's 100 percent, not having to worry about rushing him onto the court. If he is healthy, suddenly Denver's future looks insanely bright.



15. Washington Bullets: Troy Brown Jr., SF, Oregon - D Grade
    Brown was another freshman who underwhelmed in his long college season, but because he looks the part as an athletic wing, gets selected this high. Washington already has Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre, so I have no idea how he fits when they could have drafted a guard to provide some needed depth behind John Wall and Bradley Beal.




Go to Live 2018 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 - Picks 16-30
Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I've received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.



Go to Live 2018 NBA Draft Grades: Round 2

Go to 2018 NBA Mock Draft
2018 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's

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