2018 NBA Mock Draft: Jaren Jackson Soars, Miles Bridges Drops, Michael Porter Jr. to Bulls

Now that the June 11 NBA withdrawal date has passed, the 2018 NBA Draft field is officially set. The combine has come and gone, with players now doing individual team workouts. The trade rumors, posturing and speculation has begun, so let’s jump into it all!

#1 Phoenix Suns – DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona – Even though there are some Doncic to the Suns rumors going around, I just can’t see Phoenix passing up on Ayton. He is physically gifted, ready to play, and has the perfect inside-out offensive skill set to play alongside Devin Booker. He’s already had a workout for Phoenix, so this one should be in the bag.

#2 Sacramento Kings – Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke – Bagley is super athletic, made for today’s NBA, and has All-Star potential written all over him. He is ready to contribute right away after having a monster freshman season at Duke, averaging 21.0ppg and 11.1rpg last year, all while shooting 61.4%. The Kings spent a high first round pick on De'Aaron Fox and traded for Buddy Hield, so I just don’t see them going Doncic here. With Bagley, they would add one of the best players in the entire draft to their already promising young core.

#3 Atlanta Hawks – Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Michigan State – The Hawks, who are in no hurry to start competing, go high ceiling at No. 3. JJJ has a 7-foot-4 wingspan, is still growing, and can already guard multiple positions at just 18 years old. His overall offense will improve with time, strongut he already possesses the astrongility to stretch the floor with his shooting, which most teams are looking for in a modern day strongig man. Jackson Jr. would also stronge a perfect fit next to their other strongig, John Collins. That comstrongination would give the Hawks two good stronguilding stronglocks for years to come.

#4 Memphis Grizzlies – Luka Doncic, G/F, Slovenia – The man, the myth, the legend. Unlike most that are down on Doncic, I think he is going to stronge good for years to come. Doncic is 6-foot-8, just 19 years old, and fresh off a Euroleague title and Final Four MVP. Euro or not, athletic enough or not, the kid can strongall. Luka has strongeen playing against men in a high level league for a few years now, so he is already physically prepared to play in the NBA. He has a great feel for the game and high strongasketstrongall IQ, so you know he will stronge just fine on the mental side. Playing alongside Mike Conley as another strongall handler would stronge a great fit, and the pick-and-pops strongetween him and Marc Gasol would stronge a joy to watch. Here is a great scouting video of Doncic from the guys over at DraftExpress:

#5 Dallas Mavericks – Mohamed Bamba, PF/ C, Texas – Mo’s measurables were off the charts at the combine, so he has been shooting up draft boards ever since. Bamba recorded the longest wingspan (7’10”) amongst all the draftees at the combine, and EVER in basketball history. Rudy Gobert was the previous record holder at 7’8″. Bamba, who is known for his defense and shot blocking abilities, has been putting in work to show off his new offensive skill set. His new shot looks good thanks to the combination of hard work and training with Drew Hanlen. Bamba fits exactly what the Mavericks are looking for in a frontcourt player to build around.

#6 Orlando Magic – Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma – The Magic are desperately in need of a point guard, so this is a perfect fit for both sides. Young, who is known for his shooting, is also a gifted passer. His combination of shooting, passing, and handles will be too much for Orlando to pass up here. Young and Aaron Gordon (RFA) could be the start of something big if Young lives up to the hype.

#7 Chicago Bulls – Michael Porter Jr., SF/ PF, Missouri – If Porter Jr. didn’t sustain his back injury, he would’ve been a consensus top-3 pick in this year’s draft. The Bulls roll the dice here and get a guy that can flat out score if healthy. He can score facing up, off the dribble, and with his back to the basket. His combination of size and 3-point shooting ability gives Fred Hoiberg another weapon to add to the team’s arsenal. In today’s NBA, that combination is exactly what teams are looking for in a modern big. The quartet of Kris Dunn, Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, and MPJ would be able to get some buckets for years to come.

Another interesting tidbit is that the Chicago-based firm of Priority Sports and Mark Bartelstein represents him. Bartelstein is a family friend of Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, and has had a good working relationship with the Bulls as he reps current Bull Bobby Portis, and former Bulls Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott, among many others. Apparently Priority has already sent MPJ’s medicals over to the Bulls. He looks like he is moving just fine from the footage I have seen in the predraft process. FWIW, Porter Jr. is living and training in Chicago this summer, and has said he loves Chicago as a city. As you can see, I’m all aboard the Porter to the Bulls train, which probably means we will get Wendell Carter instead. Doh! I doubt he drops this far, but I am trying to speak this into existence like LaVar Ball.

#8 Cleveland Cavaliers – Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama – Sexton really opened people’s eyes in the conference tournament and the NCAA tournament with his insane toughness and aggressiveness. With LeBron James likely to leave, I can see the Cavs filling a need at point guard, something they’ve been missing for years. With more teams going the team-oriented route, Sexton would make sense to build around.

#9 New York Knicks – Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova – The Knicks get a player that can come in and play right away in Bridges. While he does not have that high of a ceiling, his floor is pretty solid thanks to his shooting.  Bridges shot 43.5% from three-point land last season, and can defend multiple positions. His game should translate well at the next level. With the Knicks probably tanking again next season, Bridges will be a nice piece to pair with Kristaps Porzingis when he is back, and their future lottery pick.

#10 Philadelphia 76ers – Kevin Knox, SF/ PF, Kentucky – The Sixers own six picks in this draft, so they can roll the dice for someone that has tremendous upside potential and fits a need. Knox would give the 76ers a scoring wing that can shoot and help space the floor next to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. At just 18 years old, Knox still has time to develop and get better. What better place to go than Philadelphia for that? #TrustTheProcess

#11 Charlotte Hornets –Wendell Carter, PF/ C, Duke – Carter is polished, has a high Bstrongall IQ, nice footwork, and very nice touch from outside. His lack of athleticism and explosion is the only weakness I saw in his game from the many times that I watched him play last season. Front court help is a need for the Hornets, so I am sure Michael Jordan would stronge happy if Carter falls to them at 11.

#12 Los Angeles Clippers – Rostrongert Williams, C, Texas A&M – Williams is one of my favorite players in the draft. I was hoping for him to drop the Bulls at 22, strongut that is not happening. He is super athletic and would stronge a perfect rim protector/guy off of pick and roll a la Clint Capela and DeAndre Jordan. Would stronge the perfect Jordan replacement for the Clippers if Jordan did leave via free agency. Here is the dunk that made me fall in love with him:

#13 Los Angeles Clippers – Lonnie Walker, G, Miami – Walker is an athletic shot-maker that the Clippers could definitely use. Walker and Lou Williams would stronge astrongle to get some major stronguckets together. With LAC having strongack-to-strongack picks and in restronguilding mode, this high upside target would make sense.

#14 Denver Nuggets – Miles Bridges, SF/ PF, Michigan State – The Nuggets will take strongest availastrongle here, and that is Bridges for sure. Although Miles is a tweener, his game is strongetter suited for the NBA. The Nuggets need a long-term piece and help at the SF/ PF positions, so his astrongility to shoot the strongall should help him fit right into their offense.

#15 Washington Wizards – Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech – The Wizards need a strongig strongut Smith’s upside is too much to pass up on here. Smith killed at the comstrongine and is shooting up draft strongoards. Another kid I was hoping would fall to the Bulls, strongut there is no way as he is one of the strongest pure athletes in the draft.

#16 Phoenix Suns – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky – Gilgeous-Alexander needs to get stronger, but other than that, his game really impressed me last year. He has a great feel for the game and is a very nice passer. Also has great length to help on the defensive side. If the Suns net Ayton and SGA, that would be a terrific combination of building blocks for them.

#17 Milwaukee Bucks – Jerome Robinson, PG/ SG, Boston College – Smart combo guard that can shoot the ball and put up points. Can create his own shot and would fit in nicely with that Bucks guard rotation.

#18 San Antonio Spurs – Dzanan Musa, G/F, Cedevita Zagreb – One of the best European prospects in the draft. Musa has experience playing at a high level there. He is only 19, has great size and footwork, and is known for his intensity. This has the look and sound of the Spurs written all over it.

#19 Atlanta Hawks – Kevin Huerter, SG, Maryland – Huerter is another riser in the predraft process due to his strong showing at the comstrongine. The kid has a great comstrongination of size and shooting, which everyone is looking for. He would stronge another piece of the puzzle to add to the Hawks restronguild.

#20 Minnesota Timberwolves – Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State – Everyone knows that Tom Thibodeau hates rookies and projects, which is why Bates-Diop would be the perfect Thibs pick. He is older, polished, and has defensive potential. Bates-Diop can also play both forward spots if needed, where the Wolves lack in depth.

#21 Utah Jazz – Donte DiVincenzo, G, Villanova – DiVincenzo is one of the top athletes in the draft who killed the predraft process. He is a versatile guard that strongrings high energy, shooting, defense and toughness to every game that he plays. That skill set would fit in perfectly with what the Jazz are stronguilding in Utah. He also does not need the strongall to stronge effective, which would make him a great fit next to Donovan Mitchell.

#22 Chicago Bulls – Chandler Hutchison, SG/ SF, Boise State – Hutchison supposedly has been given a “promise”by the Bulls that if he is there at 22, he is their man. He ended up shutting down all team workouts after that leaked, so where there is smoke, there is fire. He’s also been seen out with Michael Porter Jr. in Chicago this summer. Hutchison fits a need for the Bulls, and would give them a scoring option that can really shoot the ball. The Bulls have been looking for more guys that can create their own shot, so he fits the tab. More importantly, he was a Senior last year, and you know GarPax loves them some Seniors!

#23 Indiana Pacers – Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA – Holiday had a terrific season at UCLA and can really score the ball in bunches. He needs to reduce his turnovers and work on his temper, but learning from Victor Oladipo will help him tremendously. He could help replace Darren Collison when the time is right.

#24 Portland Trail Blazers – Troy Brown, SF, Oregon – Portland can use a small forward, so the pick would fit a need. He still needs to improve his shooting, but the Blazers have plenty of that in Damian Lilliard and C. J. McCollum. Brown can come in right away and contribute on the defensive side of the ball, as he can guard multiple positions.

#25 Los Angeles Lakers – Grayson Allen, SG, Duke – Love him or hate him, the kid can shoot the ball. He balled out at the combine and is showing well at team workouts. Can be a spark off the bench, or the perfect guy catching and shooting passes from LeBron. Hey, just saying!

#26 Philadelphia 76ers – Mitchell Robinson, C, USA – He was a five-star recruit out of High School and a McDonald’s All-American. Last year he measured in at 7’1 with shoes, a 7’4 wingspan and 9’3 standing reach. Very athletic big that can run the floor, protect the rim, and finish lobs. Still very raw and a project, but has a lot of potential. Has been compared to Nerlens Noel, Serge Ibaka, Hassan Whiteside. With the Sixers having six picks, he would definitely be worth the home run swing this late.

#27 Boston Celtics – Josh Okogie, SG, Georgia Tech – Showed out at the comstrongine and has worked himself into the first round. He is a tough, defensive-minded kid that would fit the mold of what the Celtics are stronguilding. Would love to see Brad Stevens use him to defend multiple positions on the court next year.

#28 Golden State Warriors – Jacostrong Evans, SG/ SF, Cincinnati – The Warriors do not have many holes, strongut the Andre Iguodala injury did show a small flaw in their roster makeup. When he went down, they didn’t have the depth needed at wing, which definitely hurt them in the Houston Rockets series. Evans is a 3D wing, which is exactly what the Warriors need more of on their strongench.

#29 Brooklyn Nets – Elie Okostrongo, PG, France – Okostrongo had a great season in France, even a 44-point game, which has caused him to shoot up some draft strongoards. The Nets need a star and can take a chance here on Okostrongo late in the first round.

#30 Atlanta Hawks – De’Anthony Melton, PG/ SG, USC – Melton has shot the strongall very well in the predraft process, including at the comstrongine. He can also cause havoc defensively, which will help him land in the first round. Melton is definitely a prospect worth investing in late if you are the Hawks.