December 12, 2024
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2018 NBA Mock Draft

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Written by David Kay – @david_kmiecik.




This 2018 NBA Mock Draft was updated: June 21, 2018.

2018 NBA Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 16-30
2018 NBA Mock Draft: Round 2




  1. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona, 7-1, Fr.
    With the ability to operate on the block or step out and knock down jumpers, Ayton possesses the ideal skill set for a franchise NBA big man. He can be a defensive liability, but there aren’t many prospects with his combination of size, skill and athleticism. He would be a building block inside to complement the talented, young wings the Suns have on the perimeter.


  2. Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke, 6-11, Fr.
    This pick will likely come down to Bagley or Luka Doncic. Bagley is a crazy athlete who handles the ball really well for his size. The lefty shoots the ball well from the outside and reminds many of Chris Bosh. The Kings need a franchise player, and I think Bagley has more upside than Doncic. Additionally, Bagley seems to actually want to play for Sacramento, unlike many other top prospects.




  3. Atlanta Hawks: Luka Doncic, SF, Slovenia, 6-8, 1999.
    Reports are swirling that Doncic has emerged at the top of the Hawks’ wishlist assuming Bagley is off the board. There is also a lot of buzz that a number of teams are interested in moving up to this spot to select Doncic. The Euroleague MVP is extremely skilled and has a terrific feel for the game at a young age. He is a dangerous outside shooter but can also use his handles and touch to score around the rim.


  4. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson, PF/C, Michigan State, 6-11, Fr.
    This is another top pick who appears to be highly coveted as of late, and the Grizzlies could easily move the pick if they can also dump Chandler Parsons’ contract. If Memphis keeps this pick, Jaren Jackson or Michael Porter Jr. would be in play, but I’m going with the safer pick of Jackson. Due to his combination of length, athleticism, and range on his jumper, Jackson has the makings of a modern-day NBA frontcourt player.


  5. Dallas Mavericks: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas, 7-1, Fr.
    A force in the paint as a rebounder and shot blocker, Bamba makes his biggest impact on the defensive end due to his crazy 7-foot-9 wingspan and athleticism. His all-around offensive game still needs to develop but has shown the ability to step out and knock down shots. With Dirk Nowitzki on his final legs in the NBA and no great big on the roster, a prospect like Bamba is needed on this team.




  6. Orlando Magic: Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama, 6-1, Fr.
    I’m all-in on the “Collin Sexton will be a better pro than Trae Young” argument and have been all about this fit since the lottery was revealed. A fierce competitor on both ends of the floor, Sexton can stroke it from deep but is also extremely athletic. He is terrific in the open floor and an impressive play-maker off the bounce, which is a major void in Orlando. The Magic seem to like Young more, but I’m going to be stubborn here and stick with Sexton.


  7. Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter Jr., PF, Duke, 6-10, Fr.
    Carter Jr. was in the shadows a bit during his freshman season at Duke, but he has the tools and physical attributes to be an effective big man at the next level. Carter and Lauri Markkanen would form a promising young frontcourt of the future. Michael Porter Jr. is also in play here.




  8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Brooklyn): Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri, 6-11, Fr.
    Porter is the wild card of the 2018 NBA Draft. Once considered a candidate for the top overall pick, a somewhat mysterious back injury sidelined him for almost his entire freshman season, which is a big question mark on his draft status. When healthy, Porter is the complete package. He has great size, athleticism and versatility, as he can put the ball on the deck but also shoot it from deep.


  9. New York Knicks: Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova, 6-7, Jr.
    Bridges brings tremendous versatility on the defensive end and has continued to improve every year as a well-rounded scorer. I think he is going to be a great pro and that whichever team lands him in the late lottery is going to get a steal. Kevin Knox’s name seems to be hot here as well.


  10. Philadelphia 76ers (from Lakers): Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma, 6-2, Fr.
    Young has limitless range as a shooter and is a pure distributor as well. He lit up the college basketball world in the first half of the season, but showed flaws during conference plays as teams figured out how to defend him. His shooting ability could be a welcomed addition to Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, who are not known for their three-point prowess.




  11. Charlotte Hornets: Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky, 6-9, Fr.
    Knox is a combo forward with good offensive versatility. I am not as high on him as others, but he possesses the intangibles to be a diverse threat in the modern NBA. A point guard could be an option as well with Kemba Walker entering the final year of his contract.


  12. Los Angeles Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky, 6-6, Fr.
    For a Clippers team needing an influx of talent in the backcourt, this pick makes sense. Gilgeous-Alexander played his way into lottery discussion with a terrific freshman campaign and could climb into the top ten. He brings great size to the floor and can score in a variety of ways.




  13. Los Angeles Clippers: Robert Williams, PF, Texas A&M, 6-9, Soph.
    The Clippers have versatility at forward with Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari, but they could use some depth behind them. Due to his strength, athleticism, and ability to clean up the glass, Williams would bring a different dimension than Harris or Gallinari, and will also be able to play the five at the next level.


  14. Denver Nuggets: Miles Bridges, SF, Michigan State, 6-7, Soph.
    Extremely explosive at the rim, Bridges brings versatility to the floor, as he can shoot it from the outside and use his strength to finish inside. He is physically NBA-ready and provides insurance on the wing in case free agent Will Barton leaves and/or Wilson Chandler opts out of his contract.


  15. Washington Wizards: Jerome Robinson, G, Boston College, 6-6, Jr.
    Robinson was invited to the NBA Draft Green Room, which is typically a good indication that he’s being regarded as a top-20 pick. The versatile combo guard has been climbing up boards this past week, and Washington should look to target guard depth behind John Wall and Bradley Beal with this pick.





    16. Go to 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.



    Go to 2018 NBA Mock Draft: Round 2






Written by David Kay – @david_kmiecik.




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