2018 NBA mock draft - Teams for Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley and Trae Young
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2018 NBA mock draft - Teams for Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley and Trae Young
by Jonathan Givony on 2018-04-26 23:06:00 UTC (original: http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/23084216/2018-nba-mock-draft-teams-deandre-ayton-luka-doncic-marvin-bagley-trae-young)Which teams will land the best prospects in the 2018 NBA draft?
Let's look at where the top players -- including Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Mohamed Bamba, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Marvin Bagley III -- might end up.
Our mock draft differs in two crucial ways from our recently updated top 100 prospect rankings. It uses ESPN's BPI to project the draft order, and it's adjusted for NBA team needs accordingly. It also attempts to project which players will end up declaring and keeping their names in the draft.
Track who's in and who's testing the waters in the 2018 draft here.
1. Phoenix Suns
Deandre Ayton
Arizona
Age: 19.7
C
Height: 7-foot | Weight: 243
Ayton was beginning to answer some of the questions scouts have had about him since high school with a string of dominant performances down the stretch before he finished the season on a poor note in an early NCAA tournament exit. Physically, he's one of the most gifted prospects we've seen in the draft in the past few years, and he has impressive skill level to boot.
Phoenix, the worst defensive team in the NBA, will be right to question Ayton's impact on that end of the floor, but his sheer productivity and overall talent level make it difficult to not slot him at the top of this class.
Starting salary: $8,095,680
2. Memphis Grizzlies
Luka Doncic
Real Madrid
Age: 19.1
PG
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Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 228
Doncic hit a wall in early March after playing 17 straight months without a break for Real Madrid and the Slovenian national team. A two-and-a-half-week break might help rejuvenate him as Real Madrid approaches the final three months of the season and Doncic attempts to re-establish his candidacy as the potential No. 1 pick in the draft.
Considering their aging core, financial woes and precarious ownership situation, the Grizzlies will likely be looking to return to playoff contention as quickly as possible. Doncic would be a dream selection for the Grizzlies because he has the size, skill and versatility to fit in well alongside all their existing talent while possessing star potential in his own right.
Starting salary: $7,243,440
3. Atlanta Hawks
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Michigan State
Age: 18.5
PF/C
Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 240
The Hawks will be in best-player-available mode, but it helps to be able to complement their existing roster with a building block that fits with the surrounding talent. Jackson would be the ideal big man to pair with promising rookie John Collins.
The youngest projected first-rounder, Jackson might have the highest ceiling in terms of his ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. He has enviable physical tools, including a 7-foot-4 wingspan and tremendous mobility. Jackson's ability to space the floor (40 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line), block shots (5.7 per 40 minutes), switch on every screen and, increasingly, put the ball on the floor from the perimeter makes him an ideal fit for the modern NBA.
Starting salary: $6,504,600
4. Orlando Magic
Marvin Bagley III
Duke
Age: 19.0
PF/C
Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 234
Although there are some positional concerns regarding Bagley and his fit in the modern NBA, at some point, his talent and sheer production are likely too great to pass on.
Although the Magic could very well be in the market for a point guard, there are questions about whether any guard is worthy of being picked this high. Bagley is likely best suited for the center spot, and his scoring instincts, rebounding prowess and athleticism would make for an interesting fit alongside Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac.
Starting salary: $5,864,640
5. Dallas Mavericks
Mohamed Bamba
Texas
Age: 19.9
C
Height: 7-foot | Weight: 207
With Nerlens Noel unlikely to be in Dallas' long-term plans and Dirk Nowitzki turning 40 in June, the Mavs will definitely be looking for a frontcourt player to build around.
Bamba's rare combination of length, shot-blocking instincts and offensive promise gives him one of highest ceilings of any prospect in this draft. Every team in the NBA is looking for a big man who can anchor a defense.
Starting salary: $5,310,720
6. Sacramento Kings
Wendell Carter Jr.
Duke
Age: 18.9
C
Height: 6-foot-10 | Weight: 259
None of the Kings' big men has emerged as a franchise cornerstone at this stage, meaning it would be foolish to pass on a top-tier talent due to positional concerns.
Carter's basketball IQ and versatility are promising in a number of ways. He is a physically mature big man with a 259-pound frame and a 7-foot-3 wingspan, which will allow him to play the center position in the NBA with ease.
He is a polished player with excellent hands and touch around the basket, and he has demonstrated a nice blend of passing, shot-blocking and perimeter shooting, despite being overshadowed at times by fellow big man Marvin Bagley III.
Starting salary: $4,823,520
7. Chicago Bulls
Trae Young
Oklahoma
Age: 19.5
PG
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 176
Kris Dunn has had a breakout season for the Bulls, but he could certainly use some backcourt help due to his inconsistent jump shot and shaky decision-making.
Young looks like a nice backcourt pairing, with his ability to navigate pick-and-rolls, make shots off the dribble and find the open man with impressive creativity. Having the luxury of hiding him defensively will be a key to his early success, and Dunn can defend either guard spot.
Starting salary: $4,403,280
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets)
Michael Porter Jr.
Missouri
Age: 19.7
SF/PF
Height: 6-foot-10 | Weight: 214
With an uncertain future on the horizon due to LeBron James' free agency, the Cavs will need to stockpile as much talent as they can, regardless of their hopes of keeping the King at home.
Porter came into the season with hope of making a run at being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to build his case because of a back injury. Porter's size, shot-creation skill and scoring instincts will nevertheless make him a coveted prospect next June. He is a playmaker on both ends of the floor and is just starting to figure out how to put his talent to full use.
Starting salary: $4,033,800
Cleveland will receive Brooklyn's first-round pick unprotected.
9. New York Knicks
Collin Sexton
Alabama
Age: 19.2
PG
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 183
Frank Ntilikina has had some nice rookie moments, but the Knicks are finding out that the long-armed, 6-foot-5 guard seems better suited playing alongside a more dominant ball handler and shot creator who can take some of the scoring responsibilities off his shoulders.
Enter Sexton, with his tremendous aggressiveness driving the lane, taking off-the-dribble jumpers and putting defensive pressure on opposing guards. NBA teams have some concerns about Sexton's decision-making and reckless style of play. Fiercely competitive, Sexton has shown enough flashes in the right areas to be comfortably projected as a starting-caliber point guard with plenty of upside to grow into.
Starting salary: $3,708,120
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)
Mikal Bridges
Villanova
Age: 21.6
SF
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 200
The 76ers have gotten great production out of J.J. Redick and Marco Belinelli, but with both players approaching free agency and their mid-30s, it makes sense to think about drafting a wing who can complement the building blocks of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.
Bridges is an easy player to slot on almost any NBA roster, thanks to his multipositional defensive versatility, 3-point shooting and role player potential. He isn't as gifted a shot creator as you'd like from a top-10 pick, but on this roster, he won't need to be.
Starting salary: $3,522,480
Philadelphia will receive the Lakers' pick if it lands at No. 1 or Nos. 6-30. Otherwise, the pick goes to Boston.
11. Charlotte Hornets
Miles Bridges
Michigan State
Age: 20.0
SF/PF
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 226
Charlotte continues to search for long-term solutions at both forward positions and will likely look to add athleticism to what has become a fairly disappointing roster.
Bridges is a freakish athlete who struggled at times to make the full-time transition to small forward, but he undoubtedly has potential as a two-way forward who can guard all over the floor and give you enough shooting, ballhandling and passing to get by at one of the most important positions in today's NBA.
Starting salary: $3,346,560
12. LA Clippers (via Pistons)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kentucky
Age: 19.7
PG/SG
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 171
The Clippers could very well be looking at point guard as a position in need of supplementing, and the size, length and versatility of Gilgeous-Alexander could be very attractive, considering the type of lineup flexibility he brings.
He is 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wingspan, highly instinctual defensively and he brings the unselfishness needed to operate alongside a variety of guards, making him an easy player to slot in alongside virtually any type of running mate. His offense made significant strides as the season moved on, helping him surprisingly emerge as arguably Kentucky's best top long-term prospect.
Starting salary: $3,179,280
The Clippers will receive Detroit's pick if it falls outside the top four.
13. LA Clippers
Robert Williams
Texas A&M
Age: 20.4
PF/C
Height: 6-foot-10 | Weight: 237
Williams reminded everyone why he was such a highly touted prospect entering the season with an impressive run to finish the year, helping Texas A&M reach the Sweet 16.
Despite playing out of position all season, he showed that his game is tailor-made for the NBA as a rim-running, pick-and-roll-finishing, shot-blocker/offensive rebounder in the Clint Capela mold. With DeAndre Jordan in the final year of his contract, the Clippers could certainly look to Williams as a potential successor.
Starting salary: $3,020,280
14. Denver Nuggets
Lonnie Walker IV
Miami
Age: 19.3
SG
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 206
Walker didn't have a consistent or efficient freshman season, but his talent, combined with the lack of depth at his position, is keeping his name in the top-20 conversation. His youth, strong frame, 6-foot-10½ wingspan and ability to shoot with his feet set or off the dribble make him a candidate to rise during the pre-draft process as teams search for upside and diamonds in the rough.
The Nuggets' wing rotation is a major work in progress and could certainly use some more shooting, length and perimeter-defensive prowess.
Starting salary: $2,869,320
15. Washington Wizards
Kevin Knox
Kentucky
Age: 18.6
SF/PF
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 205
With Markieff Morris approaching the final year of his contract, the Wizards could very well start thinking of supplemeting their power forward position with a player who fits the modern game.
Knox didn't have an efficient freshman season, partially due to his playing out of position, but there's a significant market in the NBA for combo forwards in his mold who can make an open shot, defend multiple positions and offer some offensive versatility. He's one of the youngest players in this draft, so he still has plenty of room to grow.
Starting salary: $2,725,680
16. Phoenix Suns (via Heat)
Zhaire Smith
Texas Tech
Age: 18.8
SF
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 195
Phoenix could look to continue to add length, athleticism and energy on the defensive end of the floor with the long-armed and explosive Smith.
Originally expected to be more of a 2019 draft candidate, Smith accelerated that timeline by helping Texas Tech reach the Elite 8 and has already announced that he will be testing the NBA waters. Smith needs to continue to develop his ballhandling and perimeter shooting, but he's one of the best athletes in this draft, and his trajectory as a prospect suggests he has considerable upside left.
Starting salary: $2,589,480
Phoenix will receive Miami's pick if it is outside the top seven.
17. Phoenix Suns (via Bucks)
Aaron Holiday
UCLA
Age: 21.5
PG
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 187
With Eric Bledsoe shipped off to Milwaukee, the Suns could very well use the pick they acquired in that trade to attempt to find a point guard who complements their existing pieces and whom they can hopefully build around long-term.
Holiday had an outstanding junior season, and he would bring a number of attractive traits with his scoring ability, long wingspan and toughness. The fact that he can space the floor and play off the ball some is important, considering the building blocks the Suns already have in place.
Starting salary: $2,460,000
Phoenix will receive Milwaukee's pick if it lands in Nos. 11-16.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Wolves)
Troy Brown
Oregon
Age: 18.6
SG
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 210
With the second of their three first-round picks, the Hawks might look to add some depth at the wing position.
Thanks to his strong frame and 6-foot-11 wingspan, Brown is a Swiss-army knife who can play anywhere from 1-4. He's a good passer, ball handler and defender with a competitive streak and good feel for the game. He lacks elite athleticism and is a streaky shooter but is one of the youngest prospects in this draft, giving him plenty of upside to grow into.
Starting salary: $2,337,000
Atlanta will receive Minnesota's pick if it is outside the lottery.
19. Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans)
Mitchell Robinson
College: None
Age: 20.0
C
Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 215
With Robin Lopez approaching the final year of his contract, the Bulls could certainly be in the market for an athletic center who can protect the rim and make plays around the basket.
Robinson is one of the most talented prospects in the draft physically -- with impressive length, athleticism and shot-blocking instincts -- but is far away from contributing. The fact that he elected not to play college basketball this season won't help his NBA readiness, but at some point in the draft, he's worth taking a gamble on as a developmental project.
Starting salary: $2,231,760
The Bulls will receive New Orleans' pick if it falls outside the top five.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder)
Keita Bates-Diop
Ohio State
Age: 22.2
PF
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 235
The Wolves have very little depth at the forward spots and might not have the financial flexibility to keep Nemanja Bjelica if his restricted free agency offers get out of hand. With that in mind, drafting a versatile player such as Bates-Diop makes sense.
He increased his stock dramatically with a breakout season, moving among all of the frontcourt positions for an overachieving Ohio State team and looking like an ideal fit for the modern NBA if he can find a way to rev his motor into higher gear at the professional level.
Starting salary: $2,142,360
Minnesota will receive Oklahoma City's pick if it is outside the lottery.
21. San Antonio Spurs
Dzanan Musa
Cedevita
Age: 18.9
SF
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 195
A significant part of San Antonio's wing rotation is up for free agency this summer, meaning this could very well be a position the Spurs look to address in the draft.
Musa's size, scoring instincts and aggressiveness could be intriguing at this stage of the draft. He's one of the youngest players in this class, but he already is productive in Europe, playing at a fairly high level.
Starting salary: $2,056,680
22. Utah Jazz
Anfernee Simons
IMG Academy (HS)
Age: 18.8
SG
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 183
The Jazz might look for a versatile guard who can operate in different lineups without dominating the ball alongside Donovan Mitchell. Simons is one of the least NBA-ready players in the draft, but he's intriguing due to his combination of youth, explosiveness and shot-making prowess.
He's a few years away from panning out, but at this stage of the draft, there isn't much risk, and adding a prospect with his upside would be intriguing.
Starting salary: $1,974,480
23. Indiana Pacers
Khyri Thomas
Creighton
Age: 21.9
SG
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 210
Unless a major upgrade at point guard presents itself, shooting and depth on the wing will likely be priorities for the Pacers this offseason.
Thomas is one of the better defenders in college basketball, capable of guarding three positions with his 6-foot-11 wingspan. He's also a willing ball mover and a promising spot-up shooter, and he has exactly the type of grit and unselfishness the NBA covets in role players.
Starting salary: $1,895,520
24. Portland Trail Blazers
Jacob Evans
Cincinnati
Age: 20.8
SG/SF
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 210
Like most NBA teams, the Blazers could also use two-way depth at the combo forward spots.
Evans is an ultra-versatile player who guards all over the floor, plays on and off the ball and sports a career 38 percent mark from 3-point territory at the college level.
Starting salary: $1,819,800
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavs)
De'Anthony Melton
USC
Age: 19.8
PG/SG
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 195
Even with Lonzo Ball in place, the Lakers should be looking to solidify their backcourt rotation and add more shooting, ballhandling, defensive intensity and athleticism. Ball's size gives him the ability to operate alongside another combo guard, and it would be beneficial for him to have scoring to take the pressure off.
Melton looked to be on the verge of a breakout season for USC before the FBI's investigation into recruiting shut him down indefinitely. His defensive versatility, toughness and intangibles make him a prospect worth investing in.
Starting salary: $1,746,840
26. Philadelphia 76ers
Jalen Brunson
Villanova
Age: 21.6
PG
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 200
The Sixers are loaded at most positions and might not be looking to add as many rookies to their roster as they have draft picks.
Villanova's NCAA tournament run and the ultra-efficient play of their floor general, Jalen Brunson, might cause the crosstown Sixers to take a look at the versatility and shot-making prowess of the Wooden Award winner. His leadership and intangibles could be attractive on a roster that already has quite a bit of talent.
Starting salary: $1,689,000
27. Boston Celtics
Bruce Brown
Miami
Age: 21.6
SG
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 200
The Celtics have a tough decision in front of them with Marcus Smart entering restricted free agency, and they might need to find a less expensive backcourt option to avoid luxury-tax issues.
Although he had a disappointing season that ended with an injury, Brown is a willing passer, lockdown defender and gritty rebounder, and he has shown enough promise with his jump shot at times to lead you to believe he will become adequate here eventually. There's a significant market for players in his mold, provided he has a strong pre-draft process. Brown is from Boston, and the Celtics always seemingly gravitate toward players with his type of toughness and work ethic.
Starting salary: $1,640,400
28. Golden State Warriors
Chandler Hutchison
Boise State
Age: 21.9
SG/SF
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 193
The Warriors are way over the luxury tax and will want to find contributors on cheap rookie contracts.
Hutchison made significant strides with his game as a senior. He looks primed to take advantage of the lack of wings in the draft -- and the NBA in general -- this June. He has outstanding physical tools and is a much-improved ball handler and perimeter shooter.
Starting salary: $1,630,320
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Raptors)
Tyus Battle
Syracuse
Age: 20.5
SG/SF
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 204
The Nets are still figuring out what their long-term wing rotation will look like and could very well take a flier on a younger player such as Battle at the end of the first round.
He's a solid-sized shooting guard with smooth athleticism and a frame that will fill out nicely in time. He improved considerably as a half-court creator as a sophomore, even if his efficiency leaves a lot to be desired.
Starting salary: $1,618,320
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets)
Grayson Allen
Duke
Age: 22.4
SG
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 207
With their third and final first-round pick, the Hawks might look to add some backcourt depth, specifically with someone who can play behind or alongside incumbent starters Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore.
Allen is a big-time shot-maker who should be ready to contribute fairly soon as one of the lone NCAA seniors projected to be picked in the first round.
Starting salary: $1,606,680
Second round
31. Suns
Shake Milton | PG/SG | Age: 21.5 | SMU
32. Grizzlies
Melvin Frazier | SF | Age: 21.6 | Tulane
33. Hawks
Jontay Porter | C | Age: 18.3 | Missouri
34. Magic
Elie Okobo | PG | Age: 20.4 | Pau-Orthez
35. Mavericks
Hamidou Diallo | SG | Age: 19.6 | Kentucky
36. Kings
Landry Shamet | PG | Age: 21.1 | Boston College
37. Knicks (from Bulls)
Chimezie Metu | PF/C | Age: 21.0 | USC
38. 76ers (from Nets)
Justin Jackson | SF/PF | Age: 21.1 | Maryland
39. 76ers (from Knicks)
Rodions Kurucs | SF/PF | Age: 20.1 | Barcelona 2
40. Nets (from Lakers)
Jerome Robinson | PG | Age: 21.0 | Wichita St
41. Magic (from Hornets)
Jevon Carter | PG | Age: 22.5 | West Virginia
42. Pistons
Devonte' Graham | PG | Age: 23.1 | Kansas
43. Nuggets (from Clippers)
Malik Newman | PG/SG | Age: 21.1 | Kansas
44. Lakers (from Nuggets)
Moritz Wagner | C | Age: 20.9 | Michigan
45. Wizards
Tony Carr | PG | Age: 20.4 | Penn St
46. Rockets (from Heat)
Gary Trent Jr. | SG | Age: 19.2 | Duke
47. Nets (from Bucks)
Trevon Duval | PG | Age: 19.6 | Duke
48. Wolves
Jalen Hudson | SG | Age: 21.8 | Florida
49. Pelicans
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk | SG | Age: 20.8 | Kansas
50. Thunder
Jarrey Foster | SG | Age: 21.3 | SMU
51. Spurs
Isaac Bonga | SF | Age: 18.4 | Frankfurt
52. Jazz
Kevin Hervey | SF | Age: 21.7 | Texas Arlington
53. Pacers
Ray Spalding | PF | Age: 21.0 | Louisville
54. Mavericks (from Blazers)
Brandon McCoy | C | Age: 19.8 | UNLV
55. Hornets (from Cavaliers)
Rawle Alkins | SG | Age: 20.4 | Arizona
56. 76ers
Issuf Sanon | PG/SG | Age: 18.4 | Olimpija Ljubljana
57. Thunder (from Celtics)
Karim Jallow | SF | Age: 20.9 | Bayern Muenchen
58. Nuggets (from Warriors)
Devon Hall | SG | Age: 22.7 | Virginia
59. Suns (from Raptors)
Kostas Antetokounmpo | SF | Age: 20.3 | Dayton
60. 76ers (from Rockets)
Amine Noua | PF | Age: 21.1 | Villeurbanne
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4/10/2018 8:35 PM
