Welcome to our fourth version of our 2018 NBA Mock Draft. It’s the first edition post lottery. For more on a given prospect, click his name where hyper-linked, and that will take you to an in-depth feature piece on said player. Team needs were sometimes, but not always taken into account, and the order was derived from Tankathon, who we linked here.
You may not agree with the picks in this 2018 NBA mock draft, and yes, somebody will get left out, but you can air your grievances in the comments section. Just keep it all above board.
Enjoy! For our 2019 NFL mock draft link go here.
1. Phoenix, DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona
Who says the true center is becoming an endangered species? The next crop of elite freshmen to enter into college basketball is brimming with blue chip big men. DeAndre Layton might be the most promising prospect of all. Go here for more on Ayton.
2. Sacramento, Luka Doncic, SG, Real Madrid
Everyone raves about this guy; including a lot of people that haven’t even seen him play yet. #HalaMadrid
3. Atlanta, Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C, Michigan State
Jackson is a 6’11” stretch-four with a massive wingspan and a truly gifted skill set. Combining with Bridges, he gives Tom Izzo the greatest 1-2 punch of pro talent that he’s ever had in Sparta. Jackson has answered the doubters who wondered if he could be physical to play in the B1G. Go here for more on Jackson.
4. Memphis, Mohamed Bamba, PF, Texas
The 6’11” center from West Chester, Pennsylvania, whose game has been compared to Thon Maker, had some other excellent quotes you should hear in the interview linked here. “There’s a difference between greed and hunger,” as Mo Bamba put it.
5. Dallas, Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF, Missouri
The 6’10” forward had a very brief collegiate career due to injury and subsequent back surgery. However, before the setback he was considered by some scouts to be the number 1 overall prospect in this class.
Porter, perhaps more than any other blue chip prospect in this class, has more to prove via team workouts and meetings. Turns out he works out at my gym here in Chicago! How cool is that! There is no doubt that Bulls want him badly, but he likely won’t be there at #7. Bulls Analyst Kendall Gill breaks it down at this link for you.
Also, Mavs fans, if you’re interested in what Deron Williams is up to these days, and what his plans are for his future, go to this link, as we just had an exclusive with him this weekend.
6. Orlando, Marvin Bagley III, F, Duke
Bagley is no doubt a NBA Draft lottery level talent, and his 49 points through his first two games is a Duke record; tied with Jabari Parker. He’s also the first freshman in Duke history with double doubles in each of the first two contests that he played in. Go here for more on Bagley
7. Chicago, Wendell Carter, PF, Duke
The Bulls are an absolute s@#tshow on every level of the organization, up and down. It is unfathomable that the GarPax is still employed there, because that idiotic duo have taken a once very proud franchise and utterly destroyed it.
Bulls Analyst Kendall Gill thinks Carter should be the Bulls fall back option if Mikal Bridges is already off the board. Gill breaks it down at this link for you. Carter, at 6-10, 259, is best suited to bang bodies on the low block, but he has also brings stretch four capabilities to this Duke basketball team. Go here for more on Carter
8. Cleveland via Brooklyn, Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Michigan State
Bridges brings a multitude of skill sets to the table as he can both shoot well from the outside and attack the rim quite explosively. He provided quite a pleasant surprise to Spartan Nation when he unexpectedly returned to East Lansing. Go here for more on Bridges.
Also, Cavs fans, if you’re interested in what Deron Williams is up to these days, and what his plans are for his future, go to this link, as we just had an exclusive with him this weekend.
9. New York, Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
There’s definitely a Buddy Hield type feel here as you saw a Sooners guard sneak up on people and have a dominant, national player of the year kind of season. It hoot up his NBA Draft stock, and send it to Pluto.
10. Philadelphia via Los Angeles, Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky
John Calipari did a media teleconference on Monday of NBA Draft week covering the draft prospects of all five of draft eligible players To hear what Coach Cal had to say about each of them, go to this link.
11. Charlotte, Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova
Bulls Analyst Kendall Gill believes Bridges would be the perfect pick for Chicago at #7. Gill breaks it down at this link for you.
12. LA. Clippers via Detroit, Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M
A force on defense who needs to augment his game at the other end. Still, he looks like he could be a longer Antonio Davis type.
13. L.A. Clippers, Kevin Huerter, Maryland, SG
14. Denver, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky
SGA had a massive NCAA Tournament for the Cats, posting 19 points, a career-high eight rebounds, seven assists and a career-high five steals vs. Davidson, followed by 27 points, six rebounds and six assists vs. Buffalo. All told, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 20.7 points, 6.3 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals in the postseason. He led UK in assists, steals and free-throw percentage
John Calipari did a media teleconference on Monday of NBA Draft week covering the draft prospects of all five of draft eligible players To hear what Coach Cal had to say about each of them, go to this link.
15. Washington, Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech
16. Phoenix via Miami, Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
Maybe the best overall point guard in the country, Sexton dropped 40 against Minnesota, in a game where his side was playing 3-on-5 for the last 13:40! Dang!
17. Milwaukee, Lonnie Walker, SG, Miami
18. San Antonio, Mitchell Robinson, C, Undecided
19. Atlanta via Minnesota, Shake Milton, G, SMU
20. Minnesota via Oklahoma City, Bruce Brown, SG, Miami
21. Utah, Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
Stevenson high school/Chicago north suburban product has played his way into the first round.
Also, Jazz fans, if you’re interested in what another PG, Deron Williams, is up to these days, and what his plans are for his future, go to this link, as we just had an exclusive with him this weekend.
22. Chicago via New Orleans, Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova, SG
23, Indiana, Tony Carr, SG, Penn State
The Penn State leader in scoring and assists in each of the last two seasons, Carr topped the Big Ten and ranked 19th nationally for total points with 725 in 2017-18. He finished his PSU career with his name entrenched on several Nittany Lions’ top-10 lists.
24. Portland, Trevon Duval, PG, Duke
Duval was ranked as the nation’s best point guard coming in this class, and he’s an explosive, powerful playmaker and excellent finisher. However, he’s not the finished product as he still needs to develop as a shooter to complement his ability to penetrate. Go here for more on Duval.
25. L.A. Lakers via Cleveland, Grayson Allen, SG, Duke
In 1945, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in Notebook E, “Show me a hero and I’ll write you a tragedy.” In some ways that applies to Duke Blue Devils Junior Shooting Guard Grayson Allen.
One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter is a phrase popularized by the James Bond movie franchise, but it was first written by Gerald Seymour in his 1975 book Harry’s Game. The expression certainly applies to the media coverage of Allen.
26. Philadelphia, Keita Bates-Diop, SG, Ohio State
KBD’s coach, Chris Holtmann, described his player’s hot stretch in midseason thusly:
“No one in the country that I have seen has went through the kind of stretch that he has had in terms of efficiency, offensively. If they have, I don’t follow college basketball maybe enough. I hope we have a full appreciation for how good he has been in this stretch. I think he is an elite player and I think he is one of the best players in the country.”
Go here for more on Bates-Diop
27. Boston, Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky
A high-character kid, who’s a great size for a two guard. Athleticism is off-the-charts, so his long-term potential is sky high. However, his skill set needs major improvement, as he really needs to work on his shot. Go here for more on Diallo.
John Calipari did a media teleconference on Monday of NBA Draft week covering the draft prospects of all five of draft eligible players To hear what Coach Cal had to say about each of them, go to this link.
28. Golden State, Gary Trent Jr, SG, Duke
His father was a 1995 NBA Draft Lottery pick, by the Milwaukee Bucks, who then dealt him to Portland. Trent the Elder would go on to play in the association for nine seasons with four different teams. He also has powerful, well-connected, name brand friends, who can help him in showing the ropes to his son. Go here for more on Trent.
29. Brooklyn via Toronto, Vince Edwards, SF, Purdue
The true focal point of the Purdue teams that experienced some of the biggest and best winning in school history, Edwards has proven that he can get it done when it counts. His versatility will get him a place somewhere in the league. Go here for more on Edwards.
Also, Nets fans, if you’re interested in what Deron Williams is up to these days, and what his plans are for his future, go to this link, as we just had an exclusive with him this weekend.
30. Atlanta via Houston, Mo Wagner, F/C, Michigan
Mo Wagner was extremely impressive for the Wolverines this season, as he showed off the skill set that makes him one who possesses some NBA Draft stock. He can shoot the three, which complements his inside game and spreads the floor. He can play like a European style big man, with a long range game complementing what he can do inside. Go here for more on Wagner.
This 2018 NBA mock draft is listed on several databases including Walter Football, DC Pro Sports Report, Eat, Drink and Sleep Football and The Hoop Doctors.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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