2018 NBA MOCK DRAFT

Deandre Ayton has all the physical tools to become an NBA star. At over seven feet tall, the native Bahamian has a face up game, post game and even excels at cleaning up offensive rebounds. The only real question for him is his rim protection which is not terrible but it is not elite either. He does however, have unique athleticism and foot speed that allows him to hold his own on switches with players one through five. Ayton has a chance to reinvigorate the NBA’s love for big men and in Phoenix, he will get every opportunity to do so.

On the offensive end, Marvin Bagley III is special. He has the type of offensive skill set for a man of his size that rarely comes along, the only question mark for him lies on the defensive end. This season, he was an absolute liability on that end of the floor for Duke, causing them to have to run a zone. In the NBA there will not be a bail out option of a zone, he will have to compete. For Kings fans though, if Bagley comes to Sacramento, regardless of his defensive shortcomings, you will be getting your best offensive power forward since Chris Webber. 

It is legitimately insane how much criticism Luka Doncic is facing from the mainstream American media. Doncic, is an artist on the pick and roll (kind of important as a guard in today’s NBA), a very good shooter and stands at six foot eight. He may not be the most athletic player in the NBA however, neither is James Harden. But, what they both do is use their unique blends of skill and basketball IQ to dominate. Look for Doncic to have a very very good NBA career and prove a whole lot of people wrong. 

Jaren Jackson Jr has literally everything you could ever want in a 2018 NBA big man. He has the ability to not only protect the rim at an elite level but, he also has the athleticism to switch onto smaller players and hold his own. Throw in the fact that he is a deadly spot up shooter from all the way to the three point line and it is a 2018 scouts dream to watch him play. Oh, and he is the youngest player in the 2018 draft. Safe to say, Grizzlies fans will be getting a good one in this draft.

If you googled potential, a picture of Mohamed Bamba would pop up next to the definition. Bamba is a seven footer who just happens to have roughly an EIGHT FOOT wing span. It is not surprising when you see his measurables to also see on the court how dominant a rim protector he already is. Add in the fact that Bamba has been working tirelessly to refine and add to his offensive game and, he has the ability and potential to be something we have never seen: A more athletic Rudy Gobert with a jump shot. Watching him and Dennis Smith Jr for years to come should be something special right Mavs fans? 

You do not find players who stand six foot ten with the ability to shoot and handle the basketball on the level of Michael Porter Jr everyday. The issue with him though is not really anything that he has done on the court, it is off of it. For starters, he played only three games last season in college due to a serious back injury that even held him out of team draft workouts even after he was supposedly healthy. Throw in character concerns based on cockiness and entitlement and to say Porter Jr is a sure thing would be crazy. However, it is hard to find a player with a higher ceiling in this draft the question is, will he be Kevin Durant or, Greg Oden? 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had an epic rise in the draft rankings over the past few months. When he originally arrived at Kentucky, the Canadian looked uncomfortable and unsure of himself, forcing Calipari to go away from him as the main ball handler. By the time he left, Shai was coming off a dominant month of March which saw him lead the Wildcats to an SEC tournament championship and, prove he can be the main ball handler on a high level team. For Shai, the question is now whether that was lightning in a bottle or, something that will last long term. Either way, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has all kinds of potential and as a Clipper, he should get the chance to let it grow. 

Miles Bridges is the type of tweener that used to be an issue in the old NBA. But  now, he will fit very nicely in the NBA with his skillset. Bridges in terms of size should probably play the three  but, has the athleticism to not only defend and can also hold his own offensively at the four. Much like Jae Crowder, Bridges is poised to be a very useful player for years to come who, could help replace Wilson Chandler while also learning lots from Paul Millsap in the Denver Nuggets organization.