2018 NBA mock draft - Michael Porter, Marvin Bagley, Luka Doncic and more
by on 2017-08-19 08:10:00 UTC
The 2018 NBA draft got an extra boost of star power with
Marvin Bagley's reclassification on Monday. But Bagley is just one of seven players with a legitimate shot to be the next No. 1 pick.
Here's our debut 2018 mock draft, featuring picks for both rounds.
The ESPN Summer Forecast was used to project draft order.
1. Chicago Bulls
Michael Porter
Missouri
Freshman
SF/PF
Porter's size, shot-creation skill and scoring instincts will make him a coveted prospect next June. He's a playmaker on both ends of the floor who is just starting to figure out how to put his talent to full use. NBA scouts will want to see him lead Missouri to the NCAA tournament while playing efficient basketball on both ends of the floor.
2. Boston Celtics (via Nets)
Marvin Bagley
Duke
Freshman
PF/C
Bagley is a fluid athlete with a natural feel for scoring, rebounding and blocking shots, which helps him post elite numbers at the high school and AAU level. He's a terror in the open court and very difficult for opposing big men to stay in front of in one-on-one situations, getting him to the free throw line at an excellent rate. NBA teams will want to see how easily he'll be able to make the transition to the intensity level of the college game and get a better gauge for his defense and outside shooting potential.
3. Atlanta Hawks
DeAndre Ayton
Arizona
Freshman
C
Ayton has elite physical tools, standing 7 feet tall with a 7-foot-5.5 wingspan and an excellent frame. He also is fairly skilled offensively, showing potential as a finisher and jump-shooter. NBA scouts question his motor and defensive awareness, things they'll be monitoring closely at Arizona.
4. Phoenix Suns
Luka Doncic
Real Madrid
Age: 18
SG
Doncic posted historic numbers in the Euroleague, Spanish ACB for a 17-year old, thanks to an incredibly high basketball IQ and polished skill set that allows him to play both backcourt positions. He will now be asked to take his game to the next level, as he's finally NBA draft-eligible, which won't be an easy task. Scouts wonder if he's athletic enough to guard his position and create his own shot quite as seamlessly in the NBA as he does in Europe.
5. Sacramento Kings
Robert Williams
Texas A&M
Sophomore
PF/C
Williams is a physical specimen with an NBA body, 7-foot-4 wingspan and tremendous athleticism. He has impressive potential as a rim-protector and pick-and-roll finisher but also shows some ability to pass the ball and even make perimeter jumpers. As a late bloomer, Williams' polish, feel for the game and consistent productivity are still catching up to his potential and tools.
6. Orlando Magic
Miles Bridges
Michigan State
Sophomore
SF/PF
Bridges is arguably the best athlete in this draft and plays a coveted position as a two-way forward who can guard all over the floor. He converted 39 percent of his 3-pointers as a freshman and is making strides with his ball-handling and playmaking abilities as well. After passing up the chance to be a lottery pick in last year's draft, Bridges will be expected to show significant improvement while leading Michigan State on a deep NCAA tournament run.
7. New York Knicks
Mohamed Bamba
Texas
Freshman
C
Bamba has a 7-foot-9 wingspan that would be the longest of any player currently in the NBA. He's a solid basketball player as well, with good hands, impressive timing as a shot-blocker and rebounder and more offensive ability than you might expect. Bamba doesn't always operate at maximum intensity, and there are some question marks about his toughness.
8. Indiana Pacers
Collin Sexton
Alabama
Freshman
PG
Sexton is a scoring machine who produced a point per minute in both the Nike EYBL and FIBA competition with USA Basketball. He's an exceptional athlete with a 6-foot-7 wingspan and the type of aggressiveness and nasty streak you want to see in a lead guard. His decision-making, court vision and leadership skills need refinement and are the things NBA scouts will be monitoring at Alabama under head coach Avery Johnson.
9. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)
Jaren Jackson
Michigan State
Freshman
PF/C
A big man with elite physical tools in terms of size, frame, wingspan and athleticism, Jackson has budding skills with his ability to shoot 3-pointers, protect the rim and even create his own shot on occasion. He's still putting it all together on a consistent basis. His toughness and feel for the game are a work in progress.
10. Dallas Mavericks
Wendell Carter
Duke
Freshman
PF/C
Carter is a physically mature big man with a 257-pound frame and a 7-foot-3 wingspan, which allows him to play the center position with ease. He's a polished player with excellent hands and touch around the basket who has relied heavily on his strength until this point in his career. Can he continue to score and rebound at a high rate against older players as well?
11. Memphis Grizzlies
Trevon Duval
Duke
Freshman
PG
The Duke freshman is a quick-twitch athlete with great size, a strong frame and a 6-foot-9.5 wingspan, allowing him to defend either guard position. He's explosive in transition and capable of playing at different speeds in the half court, though he's extremely limited as a shooter and needs to work on his decision-making skills as well.
12. Detroit Pistons
Bruce Brown
Miami
Sophomore
SG
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Brown is a hard-working combo guard with long arms and good athleticism, playing the game in attack mode on both ends of the floor. He's also a lockdown defender and a capable shooter, but does he score enough to project as a starter in the NBA? One knock on Brown: The sophomore is the same age (21) as some seniors.
13. New Orleans Pelicans
Lonnie Walker
Miami
Freshman
SG
A long-armed shooting guard with a strong frame and impressive athleticism, Walker has strong 3-and-D attributes but has shown flashes of being able to do more. He needs to improve his ballhandling and shot creation. His assertiveness and effort also come and go at times.
14. Portland Trail Blazers
Mitchell Robinson
College: TBD
Freshman
C
Robinson is a freakishly athletic 7-footer with a big wingspan and an impressive frame who plays quick off his feet with solid hands and touch. However, his on-court awareness and feel for the game are very underdeveloped. He left Western Kentucky after a handful of practices, and now his situation is in flux. Did NBA scouts see enough on the all-star circuit to draft him in the top 20?
15. Philadelphia 76ers
Justin Jackson
Maryland
Sophomore
SF/PF
The Maryland sophomore is a versatile combo forward who can even play some small-ball center, thanks to his strong frame and 7-foot-3 wingspan. Jack has made steady improvement defensively and as a 3-point shooter, making him easy to project to today's NBA game. He needs to continue to improve his feel for the game and ball-handling ability.
16. Charlotte Hornets
Dzanan Musa
Cedevita
Age: 18
SF
A precocious European wing with tremendous size and scoring instincts, Musa is already putting up big numbers at a very high level of competition. He's an aggressive player who can put up points from anywhere on the floor and plays with a level of confidence and swagger that will make his transition to the NBA game easier. He lacks length, negating his size to a certain degree and limiting his defensive potential. Plus, he's a just OK athlete who lets his emotions get the best of him at times.
17. Phoenix Suns (via Heat)
Troy Brown
Oregon
Freshman
SG
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 very streaky shooter.
18. Utah Jazz
Hamidou Diallo
Kentucky
Sophomore
SG
Diallo is an athletic shooting guard with a massive, 6-foot-11 wingspan who is highly explosive in the open court. He also brings significant potential defensively, though he's a very poor shooter and just a rudimentary ball-handler in the half court.
19. LA Clippers
Mikal Bridges
Villanova
Junior
SF
Bridges is a prototypical 3-and-D wing with good size, a 7-foot-1 wingspan and an improving frame. He's a highly efficient player on both ends of the floor and a multipositional defender. However, his skill level is still a work in progress, in terms of shot creation and ability to shoot off the dribble.
20. Denver Nuggets
Chimezie Metu
USC
Junior
Center
The USC junior is a mobile big man with a strong frame and high-level athleticism. He has shown flashes offensively both facing and with his back to the basket. His soft hands and touch help him knock down an occasional midrange jumper, though he doesn't always play hard enough, considering his projected role and that his defensive toughness and intensity come and go. He also doesn't rebound at a great clip. Metu has upside but will need to translate that into more consistent production this season.
