November 21, 2024
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2018 NBA Mock Draft

Walt13 mins
By Mike Elworth.

Follow Mike @MikeElworth24. For site updates follow @walterfootball.



David Kay’s 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Past Mocks From David Kay
2017 NBA Mock Draft
2016 NBA Mock Draft
Updated: Jan. 9, 2018.



  1. Atlanta Hawks: Luka Doncic, SG, Slovenia, 1999.
    Luka Doncic is probably the best player in the 2018 NBA Draft, plus he fits the Hawks well. They just need the best player available, as they lack any star talent. Doncic, meanwhile, is one of the best players in one of the best leagues in the world. He is a stud scorer and an excellent play-maker who is the best foreign talent in a decade. Doncic would be a nice fit with Dennis Schroder, the Hawks’ best player and starting point guard, but would give them a young franchise player for the first time since Al Horford.


  2. Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley Jr, PF/C, Duke, Fr.
    Marvin Bagley Jr. to me is the best player in college basketball, when it comes to being an NBA prospect. He is a 20-point, 10-rebound player in just 30 minutes a game, is a big-time athlete and should be a beast in the NBA as well. I like him as an NBA center, and although the Kings have talent at the position, they lack a franchise player. Bagley can be that guy for them.


  3. Phoenix Suns: Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma, Fr.
    I’m 100 percent on Team Trae. The Stephen Curry-like freshman makes the game look easy and is averaging more than 29 points and 10 assists per game, which just doesn’t happen in Power 5 conferences. It’s truly incredible what he is doing, and although he may be a little short and a little thin, he is a baller and I think is a franchise, All-Star point guard. The Suns’ biggest need is at the point making; this an easy pick.




  4. Cleveland Cavaliers (From Nets): DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona, Fr.
    DeAndre Ayton could be one of the first two picks of the 2018 NBA Draft, so the value is excellent, which may be said a lot in this draft as there are at least a half-dozen elite, All-Star prospects. Ayton is the best pure center in the 2018 NBA Draft and like Bagley Jr. is averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Ayton is also a very strong shot-blocker and can shoot; his true value is in his offensive potential. The Cavaliers do not have anything resembling a franchise center, and Ayton would give a young piece to add to their championship-caliber roster or be the centerpiece of a different one if LeBron James walks, which I really doubt.


  5. Orlando Magic: Miles Bridges, SF, Michigan State, So.
    The Magic are a pathetic defensive team, and although the offense of Michael Porter Jr. is enticing, the two-way play and versatility of Bridges makes sense to me. The sophomore forward would be a very nice fit at the three, which is one of the Magic’s two positions of need – along with point guard. I considered Collin Sexton, but again, defense is vital to them building a winning franchise.






  6. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Porter Jr, F, Missouri, Fr.
    Michael Porter Jr. is my third-favorite prospect in the 2018 NBA Draft and is a ridiculous steal at No. 6. I considered him at No. 4 and No. 5, but I liked the fits of the players I gave to those franchises and the Suns at No. 3 have no need for another forward. In this scenario that would make the Mavericks winners, as Porter Jr. along with stud rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. could be the start of one of the best young teams in the league.


  7. Philadelphia 76ers (From Lakers): Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas, Fr.
    This pick was the Lakers’, who it owe to the Celtics if it’s No. 2-5 and to Philadelphia if No. 1 or No. 6-30, and it’s looking like it will be a coin flip which franchise will get it. Bamba is probably the best defensive talent in the 2018 NBA Draft and another steal. He is one of the nation’s best shot-blockers and rebounders, plus he can actually shoot a little. Bamba has to develop on the court and physically, and although I know the 76ers have Joel Embiid, they need a second center for Joel Embiid insurance. Additionally as Philadelphia does not have many needs, the team should take the best prospect, which is the Longhorn.


  8. Memphis Grizzlies: Collin Sexton, G, Alabama, Fr.
    Collin Sexton is one of the best scorers in the NCAA and is shooting almost 50 percent from three, but he is not much of a point guard at this point, although he could become one. Regardless, the Grizzlies need to rebuild and Sexton to me is the best player at this point.




  9. Charlotte Hornets: Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky, Fr.
    Kevin Knox is arguably the best of Kentucky’s freshmen this season and has the size to be a small forward or a stretch four, but he is a pure scorer with athleticism. The Hornets love versatility and could use someone more talented than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who is a fine role player, in the starting five. Knox could also take the Marvin Williams’ power forward job. There are few teams that would suit Knox’s talents more than the Hornets.


  10. Chicago Bulls: Robert Williams, C, Texas A&M, So.
    Robert Williams to me is an NBA center, and as the Bulls need to groom a young defensive center and the value is strong, he is an obvious fit. Williams is one of the best shot-blockers and rebounders in the nation, and would look nice next to Lauri Markkanen for the Bulls.




  11. Los Angeles Clippers: Wendell Carter, C, Duke, Fr.
    Wendell Carter isn’t the most athletic big man, but he can score the ball, is one of the best rebounders in the country, and is a very talented shot-blocker. I have been very impressed watching him. With DeAndre Jordan about to walk or be traded, the Clippers will need another center, and Carter would be a nice fit with Blake Griffin. If Carter were on any team other than Duke, his numbers would be some of the best in the country.


  12. Phoenix Suns (From Heat): Grayson Allen, SG, Duke, Sr.
    The Suns are one of the youngest teams in the league. Among their core players – Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, T.J. Warren and Marquese Chriss -, all are younger than Allen except Warren. Grayson Allen is a leader and a versatile player who would be a perfect sixth man for the Suns.


  13. New York Knicks: Jaren Jackson, PF, Michigan State, Fr.
    Jaren Jackson is the perfect modern power forward. He is a shooting big man, but is also an elite shot-blocker and rebounder who has athleticism and size. Jackson would match well with Enes Kanter and Kristaps Porzignis, one of the league’s best big man duos. Jackson would be a steal at No. 13.




  14. Utah Jazz: Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky, Fr.
    Probably the most athletic player in the nation, Diallo was actually at the last NBA Combine and was the most athletic prospect there. He could give the Jazz another athletic scorer to go with Donovan Mitchell.


  15. Philadephia 76ers: Shake Milton, G, SMU, Jr.
    The junior guard could play the one or two in the NBA and is an elite shooter, meaning he is a versatile weapon the 76ers could use off the bench. They have no real needs, but they need specialty role players and Shake Milton would be one.



    16. Go to Mike’s 2018 NBA Mock Draft: 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.


    David Kay’s NBA Mock Drafts
    Go to 2018 NBA Mock Draft
    Go to 2017 NBA Mock Draft





By Mike Elworth.

Follow Mike @MikeElworth24. For site updates follow @walterfootball.





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