2018 NBA Mock Draft: Michael Porter Falling, Collin Sexton Rising, Luka Doncic #1
By Jason McIntyre
Our first 2018 NBA Mock Draft was back in June. Then we had a mock draft in August after Marvin Bagley skipped his senior year in high school to play college basketball. Here is 2018 NBA Mock Draft 3.0.
1. Atlanta – Luka Doncic, G/F, Slovenia: Turns 19 in February and is currently torching a top league in Europe. He’s got an NBA body (6-foot-8, 225) and the only question will be if he can defend SFs or SGs.
2. Chicago – Marvin Bagley, F, Duke: Most dominant player in college basketball through the first six weeks, he’s already got six 20-10 games and he’s shooting a ridiculous 61 percent. I think he’ll average at least 15 ppg as an NBA rookie.
3. Dallas – DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona: Averaging 20.5 ppg and 11.9 rpg and for a 7-footer, he’s surprisingly skilled with the ball on the perimeter while also comfortable shooting 3-pointers.
4. Memphis – Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama: Dynamic freshman hung 40 on Minnesota and is shooting 47 percent on 3-pointers.
5. Phoenix – Michael Porter Jr., F, Missouri: In college football, an injury to a potential #1 pick wouldn’t hurt much. In basketball, it definitely can. Porter probably won’t play this year, and as of now, he’s been passed by several players.
6. Sacramento – Jaren Jackson, PF, Michigan St.: He’s a bit foul prone (see UNC, Notre Dame games) but also explosive (see 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks vs Duke). At 6-foot-11, 240 pounds, I think his ceiling is a poor man’s DeMarcus Cousins – minus the crazy.
7. Philadelphia (via Lakers) – Miles Bridges, SF, Michigan St.: He stayed to win a title, not to lead the country in scoring. Bridges has been injured and missed some time. I’d like to see him shoot 3-pointers a little better (34 percent).
8. Charlotte – Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky: Only 18, he’s averaging 15.2 ppg for the Wildcats and projects as a do-everything forward. Reminds me a little of Harrison Barnes.
9. Orlando – Brandon McCoy, C, UNLV: The 7-footer has arrived ahead of schedule, averaging 20.2 ppg and 11.1 rpg while shooting 63 percent. Put up 33 points and 10 rebounds vs Ayton. Nik Vucevic starts for one more year and then it’s McCoy’s show in Orlando.
10. LA Clippers – Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky: How high he goes will depend on the improvement of his jumper (31 percent on 3-pointers). Absurd athlete.
11. Cleveland (via Brooklyn) – Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas: Shot-blocking machine, but still a toothpick at 225 pounds and extremely limited offensively. Has a DeAndre Jordan feel to him, down to the 59 percent FTs. Unlike the other bigs in this draft, Bamba is a couple years away from being a major contributor.
12. Oklahoma City – Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova: We thought he would have been a 1st round pick in 2017, but we were a year early. Bridges is averaging 18.1 ppg and shooting 48 percent on 3-pointers.
13. Phoenix (via Heat) – Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma: Leading scorer in college basketball (28.8) is 3rd in assists (8.8) and shooting 37 percent on 3’s. A Young/Devin Booker backcourt in Phoenix has the feel of Lillard/McCollum.
14. New York – Robert Williams, F/C, Texas A&M: The perfect rim protector/rebounder to play alongside Porzingis.
15. Utah – Shake Milton, G, SMU
16. Portland – Chimezie Metu, F/C, USC
17. New Orleans – Grayson Allen, SG, Duke
18. Detroit – Lonnie Walker, SG, Miami
19. Washington – Justin Jackson, F, Maryland
20. Philadelphia – Trevon Duval, PG, Duke
21. Denver – Troy Brown, SG, Oregon
22. Atlanta (via Wolves) – Jalen Hudson, SG, Florida
23. Indiana – Wendell Carter Jr., C, Duke
24. Milwaukee – De’Anthony Melton, G, USC
25. San Antonio – Tyus Battle, G/F, Syracuse
26. Brooklyn (via Toronto) – Landry Shamet, PG, Wichita St.
27. Cleveland – Bruce Brown, SG, Miami
28. Golden State – Bennie Boatwright, F, USC
29. Boston – Devonte’ Graham, PG, Kansas
30. Atlanta (via Houston) – Bonzie Colson, F, Notre Dame