March Madness is quickly approaching, which has given NBA personnel almost a whole season to look at prospects. While the prospects have been playing, they also have been jockeying for position on NBA Draft boards. Here is the latest 2018 NBA mock draft.
1. Memphis Grizzlies- Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke
Not too many mock drafts have Bagley going this high, but he should be considered for number one overall. The biggest mistake teams make when picking this high is to reach and fill a need. The 6’11” big man is athletic and can do everything on a basketball court, which includes shooting from deep at 34%. While there have been some strains in the relationship between Marc Gasol and the organization, he should be on the team next season making Bagley fit in nicely next to him on the floor.
2. Phoenix Suns- DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona
The Suns have a nice crop of young wing players in Devin Booker and Josh Jackson, but they lack an inside presence. Ayton would give them that presence and then some. Ayton is a well-built and athletic big. He is a great rebounder, who often comes up with the ball with plenty of players around him.
3. Dallas Mavericks- Jaren Jackson, PF, Michigan State
Jackson has been a monster on the inside for Michigan State this season. Per 40 minutes, he is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. He also is a good rim protector. Dallas just drafted Dennis Smith Jr. to fill their need at point guard and need to pair him with a young big for the future.
4. Sacremento Kings- Michael Porter Jr., SF/PF, Missouri
Porter has been injured since Missouri’s first game and had to have surgery on his spine. That is a serious injury, but Porter was a highly-coveted recruit and has the ability to play point forward. The Kings could bolster their lineup to include: De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Porter, Zach Randolph and Willie Cauley-Stein.
5. Atlanta Hawks- Luka Doncic, SG/SF, Spain
The Hawks just need to acquire talent on their roster in any way possible. Doncic projects as a wing player in the NBA, but actually plays on ball a lot for Real Madrid. He stands 6’6″ and is an excellent passer and playmaker. His three point shooting has gone down over the last few years, so Doncic will have to work on that.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers- Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
Well LeBron James has already talked about how good Trae Young is. The Cavs just got George Hill, but he is aging and could help develop Young. They can also play Young off-ball. Young has been the best player in college basketball with his electrifying play. He drives, passes and shoots like Steph Curry, but does turn the ball over too much. He also has struggles on defense, but the offense should make up for it.
7. Orlando Magic- Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
The Magic trade Elfrid Payton to the Suns and need a new point guard of the future. Sexton is one of the best players available, who is able to drive and distribute the ball well.
8. Chicago Bulls- Mo Bamba, C, Texas
The Bulls have struck gold with Lauri Markkanen and now need to give him more support. While Markkanen is an offensive big, Bamba will be able to defend the paint. Bamba averages 5 blocks per 40 minutes. He has had a lingering toe injury, but should be perfectly fine by the time the daft rolls around.
9. New York Knicks- Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky
Knox is a big small forward that can shoot, but is inconsistent. The Knicks have decent guards, big men and a star in Porzingis, but need a small forward who can score.
10. Charlotte Hornets- Wendell Carter, PF/C, Duke
Wendell has been a very solid player, who sometimes gets overshadowed by Bagley. He has limited athletic ability, but he is very effective. Carter even shoots the three at a solid clip of 46%. Charlotte has drafted a lot of wing players, but could focus on the interior here.
11. Philadelphia 76ers- Miles Bridges, SG/SF, Michigan State
Bridges is an athletic wing who already has an NBA body. He can shoot and drive and could feed off of Ben Simmons’ passing.
12. Los Angeles Clippers- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky
He is a lanky point guard, who has a long wingspan, which helps him play good defense. SGA will need to work on his shooting and add some weight, but the length will get him selected early. The Clippers have Partick Beverly, but need a point guard of the future.
13. Utah Jazz- Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova
The Jazz’s roster changed with the NBA Trade Deadline and could use a young wing. Bridges can shoot and play defense, which at least makes him a good three and D prospect.
14. Los Angeles Clippers- Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M
The Clippers just traded away Blake Griffin and may want to replace him at power forward. Williams hasn’t had a very productive year at Texas A&M, but he is talented. His motor has been questioned, but if the Clippers get the most out of him he can be a good player.
15. Phoenix Suns- Tony Carr, PG/SG, Penn State
Not too many people are as high on Tony Carr, but the sophomore can play. He scores and distributes the ball well, but also can stretch the defense with his 46% on three point shots. Carr also has great size at 6’5″ and can fill a need for the Suns.
16. Milwaukee Bucks- Omer Yurtseven, C, N.C. State
Thon Maker isn’t developing as planned, so the Bucks may elect to go with another big. Yurtseven is 7’0″ and has taken a huge step forward this season for the Wolfpack.
17. Philadelphia 76ers- Lonnie Walker, PG/SG, Miami
With Markelle Fultz’s status being up in the air, the 76ers might want to get a player who can play both guard spots. He hasn’t produced a lot in his freshman year at Miami, but shows flashes of potential.
18. Denver Nuggets- Gary Trent Jr., SG/SF, Duke
The Nuggets have a few good young pieces and just need to keep adding quality players and maybe snag a key free agent. Trent is a good shooter, but needs to work on his defense.
19. Washington Wizards- Mitchell Robinson, C, USA
Robinson is a former five star prospect who chose to attend Western Kentucky, but it didn’t work out. He has since been preparing for the NBA Draft. If the Wizards can acquire a good interior player, they can compete even more in the Eastern Conference
20. Minnesota Timberwolves- Landry Shamet, PG, Wichita State
The Timberwolves have Jeff Teague, but might want another option in a few years. Landry Shamet is another lanky point guard which should help him on defense at the NBA level.
21. Indiana Pacers- Khyri Thomas, PG, Creigthon
Thomas has gotten better every year at Creighton and shoots the three a nice clip of 43%, but needs to work on his passing. The Pacers don’t have a great point guard on the roster and can develop Thomas.
22. San Antonio Spurs- Dzanan Musa, SF, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Musa is 18 and only averages 10.5 points per game in Europe, but could be a good draft and stash if he develops. Given the Spurs nature to use the draft and stash effectively, this could be their pick.
23. Atlanta Hawks- Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky
Diallo is athletic enough to play in the NBA, but struggles shooting the ball and on defense.
24. Los Angeles Lakers- Grayson Allen, SG, Duke
The Lakers are going to try to make a splash in free agency. Taking Allen would give them a role player who can shoot the ball and bring energy off the bench.
25. Chicago Bulls- Troy Brown, SG, Oregon
The Bulls can use this pick to develop a wing player. Brown is an athletic wing, who needs to develop his outside shot more.
26. Portland Trail Blazers- Chimezie Metu, PF/C, USC
Metu has developed an outside shot this year and can benefit from playing with Portland’s talented guards.
27. Boston Celtics- Brandon McCoy, C, UNLV
Boston can use a developmental big to pair with a bunch of their young players.
28. Brooklyn Nets- Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas
With 12 points and six rebounds per game, Gafford has had a good freshman season for the Razorbacks. The Nets are thin on the inside.
29. Golden State Warrios- Trevon Duval, PG, Duke
Shaun Livingston can’t play forever and more depth is needed at point guard for the Warriors.
30. Atlanta Hawks- Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri
Porter has had a good freshman season at Missouri with the absence of his brother. The Hawks already have drafted two back court players in this mock, so will need to get more depth on the interior.
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