2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

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DeAndre Ayton

1.  Phoenix Suns-Deandre Ayton-7’1″-Freshman-Center-Arizona

The Suns only won 21 games last year and they have not made the playoffs since 2010 as this is a franchise that is desperate to turn things around.

2. Sacramento Kings-Marvin Bagley III-6’11”-Freshman-Power Forward-Duke

Whereas the Kings continue to pick early on in the NBA Draft, at some point they have to get this right.

3. Atlanta Hawks-Michael Porter Jr-6’10”-Freshman-Small Forward-Missouri

Michael Porter missed the majority of his freshman campaign as he was recovering from back surgery, but that won’t prevent him from being selected early.

4. Memphis Grizzlies-Luka Doncic-6’6″-Shooting Guard-Slovenia

This season the Grizzlies were 29th in the NBA in points per game, and they need someone who can fill up the basket.

5. Dallas Mavericks-Mohamed Bamba-7’1″-Freshman-Power Forward-Texas

It recent years the Mavericks have been struggling as this is a team which is in need of adding more playmakers.

6. Orlando Magic-Trae Young-6’2″-Freshman-Point Guard-Oklahoma

There are some people that are calling Trae Young the next Steph Curry. But regardless of whether or not that Young can be that guy, his talent is too good for the Magic to pass on.

7. Chicago Bulls-Kevin Knox-6’9″-Freshman-Small Forward-Kentucky

The Bulls competed more than people expected to this past season, and now let’s see if they can add enough pieces in order to be a playoff team next year.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from the Brooklyn Nets via the Boston Celtics)-Jaren Jackson Jr.-6’11”-Freshman-Power Forward-Michigan State

The big question for the Cavaliers is whether or not that LeBron James will stay, but regardless they must plan ahead for the future.

Mikal Bridges

9. New York Knicks-Mikal Bridges-6’7″-Junior-Small Forward-Villanova

This pick makes total sense, but that has not always been a strong point for the Knicks.

10. Philadelphia 76ers (from the Los Angeles Lakers via the Phoenix Suns)-Lonnie Walker-6’5″-Freshman-Shooting Guard-Miami

The Sixers made the playoffs this past season, but it was clear that they need more perimeter shooting.

11. Charlotte Hornets-Miles Bridges-6’7″-Sophomore-Small Forward-Michigan State

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the only small forward currently on the Hornets roster which makes this selection a no-brainer.

Collin Sexton

12. Los Angeles Clippers (via the Detroit Pistons)-Collin Sexton-6’3″-Freshman-Point Guard-Alabama

The Clippers spent the past season gutting their roster, and now it is time to turn things around.

13. Los Angeles Clippers-Wendell Carter Jr.-6’10”-Freshman-Power Forward-Duke

The Clippers traded Blake Griffin this past season, while DeAndre Jordan could walk as a free agent which means that they need to re-tool their frontcourt.

14. Denver Nuggets-Robert Williams-6’10”-Sophomore-Power Forward-Texas A&M

The Nuggets already have one of the more athletic teams in the NBA, and the rich could get richer here.

15.Washington Wizards-Brandon McCoy-7’0″-Freshman-Center-UNLV

Center Marcin Gortat has one year remaining on his contract and the Wizards might want to think about finding his replacement.

16. Phoenix Suns-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-(via the Miami Heat)-6’6″-Freshman-Point Guard-Kentucky

I would not be surprised to see the Suns trade this pick, but if they keep it, they’ll select the best player available.

17. Milwaukee Bucks-Keita Bates-Diop-6’7″-Junior-Small Forward-Ohio State

The Bucks are one of the deepest teams in the NBA, but the small forward position is a glaring weakness.

18. San Antonio Spurs-Moritz Wagner-6’11”-Junior-Center-Michigan

This pick will come down to Moritz Wagner, or Donte DiVincenzo, but you cannot coach size.

19. Atlanta Hawks-(via the Minnesota Timberwolves)-Khyri Thomas-6’3″-Junior-Shooting Guard-Creighton

With multiple first-round picks this year, the Hawks could really get things turned around in a hurry.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves-(from the Oklahoma City Thunder via the Utah Jazz)-Aaron Holiday-6’1″-Junior-Point Guard-UCLA

The Timberwolves need more depth at the point guard position and Aaron Holiday is too good for them to pass on.

21. Utah Jazz-Dzanan Musa-6’9″-Small Forward-Bosnia

In recent years the Jazz have been one of the top NBA franchises in regards to finding talent from Europe.

Donte DiVincenzo

22. Chicago Bulls-(via the New Orleans Pelicans)-Donte DiVincenzo-6’5″-Sophomore-Shooting Guard-Villanova

At this slot DiVincenzo could be the steal of the draft.

23. Indiana Pacers-Chandler Hutchinson-6’7″-Senior-Small Forward-Boise State

This selection might not leap out to the average basketball fan, but the Pacers will find a way to make it work.

24. Portland Trail Blazers-De’Anthony Melton-6’5″-Sophomore-Point Guard-USC

With Shabazz Napier more than likely set to leave in free agency, the Blazers need a quality ball handler coming off of the bench to back up Damian Lillard.

25. Los Angeles Lakers-(from the Portland Trail Blazers via the Cleveland Cavaliers)-Bruce Brown Jr.-6’5″-Sophomore-Shooting Guard-Miami

I would not be surprised to see the Lakers trade this pick as their main focus this summer will be free agency.

26. Philadelphia 76ers-Omari Spellman-6’8″-Freshman-Power Forward-Villanova

It’s been a good run for Villanova as they could have three players selected in the first round.

27. Boston Celtics-Mitchell Robinson-7’0″-Center-IMG Academy

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has displayed a knack for finding athletes, and he gets another one here.

28. Golden State Warriors-Chimezie Metu-6’11”-Power Forward-USC

The Warriors have their core players, but it’s about getting more depth coming off of the bench; especially with the bigs.

29. Brooklyn Nets-(via the Toronto Raptors)-Zhaire Smith-6’5″-Freshman-Point Guard-Texas Tech

Don’t look now, but the Nets actually have themselves a first-round pick.

Grayson Allen

30. Atlanta Hawks-(from the Houston Rockets via the Los Angeles Clippers)-Grayson Allen-6’7″-Senior-Shooting Guard

If Grayson Allen had left school early, he would have been taken much higher, but he could still become a solid NBA player for the Hawks.

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