Barstool 2018 NBA Mock Draft: We Know The Lottery Teams
The regular season is officially over, which means we at least know who will be in the lottery. It also means what better time to drop this year’s first official 2018 NBA mock draft. Shout out to Steve for the NFL Mock Draft as BarstoolU just continues to dominate draft season. There’s obviously still a bunch of movement that can happen with the lottery and who declares, goes back to school, etc, but hey, I’m excited to get yelled at about where guys are picked in a make believe selection! As I’ve done the past two years with these it will be a combo of guessing, what I’m hearing and figuring out team needs. I also put out my top-30 big board, which is strictly just that – a big board. This will be the true mock draft. Let’s get right into it, assuming the lottery holds serve.
1. Phoenix Suns – Deandre Ayton (Arizona)
This feels like a no-brainer. Ayton is the best prospect in this draft for me and gets to stay close to his college home. Ayton became the first player in 25 years to average at least 19.5 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting more than 60 percent from the field. You hope the year with Tyson Chandler turns into a mentor session on the defensive side of the ball. However, he’s way too polished to pass up here.
2. Memphis Grizzlies – Luka Doncic (Slovenia)
The Grizzlies take Doncic here simply because they seem set on playing with Conley and Gasol going forward. That’s not to say they could take someone like Bagley here to provide some help alongside Gasol, but the Grizzlies need wing help. Right off the bat he’s able to step in and you have three guys to play around as Doncic can play on the wing with his size.
3. Atlanta Hawks – Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State)
This is where it gets interesting for me. The Hawks are in a weird spot because of the development of John Collins. Taking someone like Bagley here almost feels like a redundant type player. Instead I have them taking Jackson here who can step away and help stretch the floor with Collins playing in the post. You also add someone who can protect the rim here.
4. Dallas Mavericks – Marvin Bagley (Duke)
It looks like Nerlens Noel will be out of Dallas after this year, opening up a spot up front for a player like Bagley. He’s not going to provide the type of defense that many thought Noel would bring, but you can use him in pick and rolls with Dennis Smith and he’s able to take guys off the bounce. He’ll have a year to play with Nowitzki as well filling out the front court. You can build around Bagley going forward with Dirk on his way out.
5. Orlando Magic – Collin Sexton (Alabama)
Another spot where the draft can go a bunch of different positions. However, I have the Magic making a bit of a surprise here and taking Collin Sexton. The Magic will likely be in need of a point guard and I think Sexton is the best of the bunch in this class. Part of this pick depends what you think is going to happen with Aaron Gordon this offseason as well. The biggest question is if the Magic want to take a point guard with shooting questions.
6. Chicago Bulls – Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri)
Yesterday John Paxson talked about how the Bulls are looking for size and length at the wing spot. Well, that’s what Porter brings here as he’s the new-age forward at 6’10”. He brings that versatility that everyone is looking for when it comes to roster makeup as he can protect the rim a bit and rebound too. Biggest question for him will be how he checks out with NBA doctors.
7. Sacramento Kings – Mo Bamba (Texas)
It does feel weird to see the Kings not take a Kentucky big here as they seem to always end up with one, but the Kings need someone to anchor that frontcourt. Bamba isn’t polished on the offensive side of the ball, but he’s the best defensive big in this class. Let’s not forget the Kings are just awful on the defensive side of the ball as well. Bamba can step in and immediately be a factor on that side of the ball.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Brooklyn Nets) – Trae Young (Oklahoma)
This actually may be worst case scenario for the Cavs. You hope that Porter or Sexton fall here if the Magic take Young at 5, but for the Cavs they are going to look for offense here. Who knows what happens this offseason with LeBron. Assuming he stays, you provide some scoring off the bench and someone who is an excellent passer and spot up shooter that can play with LeBron. If he’s gone, you have someone you hope can turn into a starting point guard quickly.
9. New York Knicks – Mikal Bridges (Villanova)
This would be an easy pick for the Knicks here. You can move Porzingis to the five spot or even keep him at the four if you really want while sliding Bridges into the wing. He’s the prototypical 3-and-D guy and you immediately have two strong defenders in Bridges and Frankie Smokes. Bridges shot over 42% from three this past season and if you’re able to spread the floor with Kristaps at the five, that should leave open shots for Bridges.
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via LA Lakers) – Kevin Knox (Kentucky)
Another no-brainer pick here. The Sixers would love to take Mikal Bridges, but with him off the board they go for the next best wing available. Knox really came on strong where he started to run off screens more, getting into the motion of the offense and really found his shot. He became one of the two go-to guys for Kentucky as he scored over 15 per game. He developed a nasty floater on the baseline that he likes to use after one dribble and at 6’9? has great size to get it over most defenders. You can play him alongside all the other young guys on the roster too.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Miles Bridges (Michigan State)
A run of wings as the Hornets do need some help at the forward spot. They’ll take the most athletic player in teh draft in Miles Bridges, who showed his ability to step out and shoot this season playing the three spot more than the four. The Hornets were in the bottom-10 of the league in net rating and adding a two-way player like Bridges should help right away there.
12. LA Clippers (via Detroit Pistons) – Wendell Carter (Duke)
DeAndre Jordan is in the final year of his contract, which means the Clippers will be looking to take a big with one of these two picks. They get a bit of luck as Carter falls to 12 here and gives them one of the highest IQ guys in the draft at the big spot. Carter is someone who can pick and dive to the rim or pick and pop as he showed his ability to step out and shoot.
13. LA Clippers – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Kentucky)
Another spot that the Clippers could be looking at in this draft is a point guard. Here they get the best one on the board in Gilgeous-Alexander who comes in with great size at 6’6″ and can guard multiple positions. He’s not unbelievably athletic or anything like that, but he does an excellent job of finding spots and attacking that way. During his run late in the year he started to show his ability to pull up off the dribble from three, adding that to his game. Pairing him with Carter gives you a pick and roll combo right off the bat.
14. Denver Nuggets – Lonnie Walker (Miami)
The Nuggets were one of the worst defensive teams in the league this year while also having a lack of wing depth. Here they get to address both problems as Walker should be a great defender at the next level. He can guard multiple positions and is starting to figure it out offensively, especially when he was one of the go-to options once Brown got hurt. At 6’4? with a 6’10” wingspan though he’s going to be enticing to most teams.
15. Washington Wizards – Troy Brown (Oregon)
The Wizards have a couple of options here as they could take a big to play next to Marcin Gortat or take a combo forward to help with the rotation on the wing/forward spot. I’m incredibly high on Troy Brown, someone who can step in and do a little bit of everything. If he can get more consistent with his outside shot he’ll be one of the best players in this draft.
16. Phoenix Suns (via Milwaukee Bucks) – Robert Williams (Texas A&M)
Yes, the Suns take Ayton at No. 1, but they can add depth with Williams in the post. You can play him at the four spot – though it’s a bit out of position or simply use him as a guy off the bench that can come in, block shots and catch lobs. He can turn into that Tyson Chandler player of sorts while Ayton is your star.
17. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat) – Zhaire Smith (Texas Tech)
The Suns were the worst defensive team in the league this year and these back to back picks address defensive needs. Smith is quickly climbing up draft charts and is one of the most athletic players in this class. He can step in and defend on the wing. You hope he develops a more consistent shot and provides some depth on the wing spot behind Booker and Jackson.
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Minnesota Timberwolves) – Dznan Musa (Croatia)
The Hawks have three first round picks, so it won’t be a surprise to see them draft and stash one here. Musa filed paperwork yesterday to enter the draft and he’s someone who is young enough that you can be patient with, especially as the Hawks rebuild.
19. San Antonio Spurs – Khyri Thomas (Creighton)
The Spurs are known for being defensive minded. Here they get a guy in Thomas who can defend both guard spots while also providing a bit of offense. There will be a need for some wing rotation and Thomas is someone that can step in and fill in that spot. He’s upped his free throw shooting and points per game so far this year. With the game getting a bit ‘smaller’ Thomas is an intriguing prospect because of his wingspan and ability to play both on and off the ball.
20. Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans Hornets) – Keita Bates-Diop (Ohio State)
The Bulls are notorious for taking established college stars and Bates-Diop is an older college player who was a Second Team All-American this past season. The Bulls were in the bottom-10 of 3-point shooting this year and Bates-Diop is someone coming off a year shooting 36% from three, most of which he created for himself.
21. Indiana Pacers – Aaron Holiday (UCLA)
Pairing Aaron Holiday with Oladipo just makes sense on both sides of the ball. You immediately have a backcourt that can really defend the hell out of the ball and bother guards. Throw in Holiday’s ability to create and an excellent catch and shoot guy from three you can spread the floor with him as Oladipo drives.
22. Utah Jazz – Mitchell Robinson (High School)
The Jazz could use someone behind Rudy Gobert and Robinson is an athletic big that you can develop behind Gobert. He sort of mimics Gobert in the sense of protecting the rim – something that the Jazz value. Despite not playing this year he’s worth the pick if he slides this late.
23. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Oklahoma City Thunder) – Chandler Hutchison (Boise State)
The Wolves need to add depth on the wing/forward spot and Hutchison is the best one available here. He’s also the first senior off the board as he can do a bit of everything – although he does need to get more consistent shooting the ball. With a lack of wings in the draft, the Wolves can take him here.
24. Portland Trail Blazers – De’Anthony Melton (USC)
Adding in someone like Melton can help with the defensive side of the ball, especially at the guard spot. The Blazers are loaded with offensive guards in Lillard, McCollum and even Napier, but Melton can step in off the bench and be that defensive-minded guard. He’s someone that doesn’t need the ball to impact the game and can play alongside one of those two during the rotation.
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cleveland Cavs) – Jalen Brunson (Villanova)
Reuniting Brunson and Josh Hart means that the Lakers may have the most bought t-shirts on the Mainline, but besides that a backup point guard just makes all the sense here for the Lakers. Brunson has a past of playing with another lead guard like he did with Acidiacono so you can play him with Ball on or off the ball. He’s someone who will be in the rotation for years no matter where he goes.
26. Philadelphia 76ers – Jacob Evans (Cincinnati)
The Sixers miss out on both Nova guys by just a pick so they go with another wing here. Evans is someone who can come in and defend at an elite level thanks to his history at Cincinnati. He also shot 37% from three this past season and can be that 3-and-D catch and shoot type of guy playing off of Simmons, Fultz and Embiid.
27. Boston Celtics – Devonte’ Graham (Kansas)
An experienced guard who can defend, hit shots and play in the pick and roll? Yeah, Graham fits what the Celtics would want here. There’s a good chance the Celtics lose Smart or Rozier so getting someone like Graham to step in and be that defensive guard off the bench just makes sense.
28. Golden State Warriors – Shake Milton (SMU)
Oh, a guy who can shoot and defend? Not to mention play multiple positions? Yeah, the Warriors will be loving this pick with Shake Mitlon still available at 28. Milton is 6’6″ with a 7’0″ wingspan that can play both on or off the ball. He’s an excellent shooter as he’s about a 43% shooter for 3 for his career at SMU. Along with being able to defend multiple positions, he does a great job of creating for teammates. He’s a guy that can step in with the second unit and fill spots right away. It’s worth noting he did miss the last 11 games of the season due to injury.
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Toronto Raptors) – Anfernee Simons (IMG Academy)
The Nets continue to take somewhat of a gamble due to not having a top pick. Simons is a younger guy who is skipping college to go right to the NBA. They can afford to take the risk here and take someone like Simons who can be a scoring guard as he develops into an NBA player. With the Nets in full on rebuild mode, take someone like Simons and build with him as he turns 19 during the year.
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets) – Landry Shamet (Wichita State)
The Hawks could use some backcourt depth and taking someone in Shamet who has great size can come in for Schroder to give a different sort of look. He’s a bit older than perhaps someone who the Hawks would want to take, but with needing to add some backcourt depth, Shamet is someone I really like here. Shamet shot 44% from three this past season.