Live 2018 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 – Picks 1-15 | Grades for Round 2
2018 NBA Mock Draft | 2018 NBA Mock Draft – Walt’s
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Philadelphia 76ers: Zhaire Smith, SF, Texas Tech – B Grade
This pick is going from Phoenix to Philly along with a future first rounder for Mikal Bridges. 76ers were reportedly high on Smith and while I like him, I’d MUCH rather have Bridges. I give Philly a C for this trade and Phoenix an A++++.
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Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo, SG, Villanova – A+ Grade
This is an outstanding selection for a Bucks team needing to surround Giannis with some skilled players who can knock down shots. I think DiVincenzo will be a tremendous role player at the next level, just like he was at Villanova. -
San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker, SG, Miami – C+ Grade
Ahhhh, the long lost fourth member of Migos… Walker is another dude who I wasn’t that high on. Like Knox and Brown, he is a one-and-done who underachieved as a freshman but is athletic and worked out well, so he gets drafted high. This is a solid value for the Spurs, who could be losing some wings this offseason, but I can’t see Walker contributing right away. -
Atlanta Hawks: Kevin Huerter, SG, Maryland – C+ Grade
Huerter can shoot the rock and has good size at 6-7, but he is what, a poor man’s Kyle Korver? This pick doesn’t get me too excited, but he and Trae Young will provide some three-point bombers in the Hawks’ backcourt. -
Minnesota Timberwolves: Josh Okogie, SG, Georgia Tech – D- Grade
I’m watching the draft with my buddy, Kyle, who is a big time Timberwolves fan, and this was his reaction: “WHO?… WTF?” For the record, I know who Okogie is, but I agree with the “WTF” part. I had Okogie as a second-round prospect but he’s a 3-and-D type player which makes sense why a Thibs-run team would reach for him. -
Utah Jazz: Grayson Allen, SG, Duke – B Grade
Cue the “this is a perfect fit” cliches. Allen is probably going to be a solid role player in the NBA since he does a lot of different things on the floor. He will be a nice addition off the Utah bench behind Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio. -
Chicago Bulls: Chandler Hutchison, SG, Boise State – B+ Grade
Outside of Ayton going No. 1, this is the worst-kept secret in this draft, as the Bulls reportedly promised him at 22 before the NBA Draft combine, which is why Hutchinson didn’t participate. He is a versatile wing who can do a lot of different things on the floor and should fit with the young Bulls roster. -
Indiana Pacers: Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA – A Grade
I mocked this pick, and for those keeping track at home, I’m doing pretty damn well (missed a few picks by like one or two spots too.) Darren Collison and Cory Joseph are both free agents after this season, so it makes sense for Indiana to target a young point guard like Holiday. -
Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, SG, United States – C- Grade
The one-time Louisville commit comes straight out of high school to the NBA due to his age. This pick is a long-game selection, as he will need time to develop, which is why I don’t love it. I think Portland could have landed a role player to bring off their bench instead of Simons. -
Los Angeles Lakers: Moritz Wagner, PF, Michigan – B Grade
I texted my buddy earlier that one of my draft predictions is that Wagner would end up going in the first round (but I mocked him as an early second-rounder.) I should have trusted my gut. In a draft weak on big men, Wagner can stretch defenses with his outside shooting but is also physical inside. The Lakers could use a five man with Brook Lopez hitting free agency, so this pick fits a need as well. I wonder why Robert Williams from Texas A&M is falling so badly. He could have been a nice fit as an athletic big man as well. -
Philadelphia 76ers: Landry Shamet, PG, Wichita State – B+ Grade
I really like Shamet due to his versatility and ability to shoot the rock. The Sixers did just add Zhaire Smith as a two guard, but Shamet’s ability to play either guard spot and stroke it from deep will help this Philly team. -
Boston Celtics: Robert Williams, C, Texas A&M – A+ Grade
I had Williams going 13th, so clearly he is the biggest dropper in this draft outside of Michael Porter Jr. Williams will come in to Boston, rebound and block shots at the very least. The Celtics don’t have a long, athletic rim protector like him, which really makes this a steal. -
Golden State Warriors: Jacob Evans, SG, Cincinnati – B Grade
The Warriors are looking for a role player with this pick, and that’s what Evans’ likely fit is. He plays hard and should be a solid defender due to his athleticism and toughness. Scoring isn’t going to be his money maker in the NBA, but the Warriors have enough of that to go around. -
Brooklyn Nets: Dzanan Musa, SF, Bosnia – B+ Grade
The Bosnian is like many Euro wings in that he handles the ball extremely for a 6-9 guy and can light it up from deep. Versatility is the key to his game, but he will need to get tougher to handle the NBA. The Nets just need dudes, and this guy could be a solid scorer in a couple years. -
Atlanta Hawks: Omari Spellman, PF, Villanova – B Grade
Having snagged two guards with earlier picks, addressing the need for some frontcourt depth makes sense here. Spellman (like Trae Young and Kevin Huerter) can shoot it from the outside but also is physical inside, so Atlanta was clearly looking for shooters in this draft.
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