By Ian Laird
@UneducatedU on Twitter
The NBA Draft is finally here and with several trades already going down and many more picks reportedly being involved in trade talks there is the potential for a record number of first-round draft picks to be traded. With those latest trades and some last minute workouts in mind here is my final mock draft ahead of tonight.
As always here is how I make my decision for who gets picked where. All of the selections are based on fit and talent available and I have not predicted for any trades even though usually about a third of the first-round draft picks are traded on draft day or in the days leading up to it.
All stats for players are from this past season unless otherwise mentioned.
For the 2018 starting lineups I selected the players who got the majority of starts down the stretch this past season, and the symbols next to their name indicate their free agency status this offseason: * denotes an unrestricted free agent | † denotes restricted free agent | + denotes a team option for next year | ^ denotes a player option for next year
1. New Orleans Pelicans
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Elfrid Payton* | SG: Jrue Holiday | SF: E’twaun Moore | PF: Julius Randle^ | C: Anthony Davis
Team Needs: G, SF, C
Zion Williamson, Freshman, PF, Duke | 22.6 ppg, 2.1 apg, 8.9 rpg, 2.1 spg, 1.8 bpg
This is about as clear of a decision as any in the NBA as Zion Williamson is arguably the best prospect since LeBron James. His outstanding career at Duke was well documented, but none of the hype he received was overselling how good of a player he was. His level of athleticism would be out of this world for any body type, let alone one as big and heavy as his frame. He is a force in and around the rim though he might experience some growing pains going up against NBA level opponents who have more filled out frames. In transition he is nearly impossible to stop leaving most defenders with the option of either trying to foul him or simply getting out of the way. His athleticism also lends to him being an elite rim protector, and he has the speed and quickness to hang with smaller guards if he gets switched onto them on the perimeter as well. There will be questions about his shooting as he never really had to use his jumpshot, but in a small sample size he shot 33.8% from the three point line which isn’t great, but is respectable and will surely only improve as he is forced to work on it and use it more. Obviously in trading away Anthony Davis the Pelicans have made it clear that Zion will be the centerpiece of their franchise and they will have plenty of assets to surround him with.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Michael Conley | SG: Avery Bradley+ | SF: Kyle Anderson | PF: Jaren Jackson Jr. | C: Jonas Valanciunas^
Team Needs: PG, C
Ja Morant, Sophomore, PG, Murray State | 24.5 ppg, 10.0 apg, 5.7 rpg, 1.8 spg, 0.8 bpg
The Grizzlies made it clear last year that they are looking to move on from the grit and grind era which was founded on the core of Michael Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen. The latter two had already left, and then around the trade deadline the Grizzlies started actively shopping Gasol and Conley. They found a trade they were willing to accept for Gasol but were unable to find a trade that left them with a succession plan for Conley that they were comfortable with during the season. Their trade yesterday to send Conley to the Jazz though signifies that they have no doubts that Ja Morant is the prospect they are willing to entrust with the keys to their franchise. The uber athletic point guard from Murray State rose from a near nobody to a top draft prospect this year and it is clear to see why. Morant can attack the rim can score from all three levels of the floor though he is most comfortable attacking the basket or rising up from three. He is the best playmaker and ball handler in the draft allowing him to create open looks for teammates and put opponents on their heels, and most importantly he has the intelligence to read the game a step or two ahead making him the ideal player to run a team’s offense.
3. New York Knicks
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Dennis Smith Jr. | SG: Allonzo Trier+ | SF: Mario Hezonja* | PF: Kevin Knox | C: Mitchell Robinson
Team Needs: SG, SF
R.J. Barrett, Freshman, SG, Duke | 22.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 7.6 rpg, 0.9 spg, 0.4 bpg
R.J. Barrett projects as a score first wing but he has the tools to potentially become an elite two-way wing in the mold of a Jimmy Butler or Victor Oladipo. He didn’t display any real touch from the outside at Duke, and while that might eventually improve in that area, he likely will remain an average shooter at best. He also struggled at times defensively, but he has much more potential in that area with his length and athleticism which will allow him to stick in front of opposing players of all five positions. Barrett’s real strength though will be his ability to attack off the bounce where he was adept at using his size and quickness to get past players in isolation and then finish in and around the rim. For the Knicks he will provide some much-needed scoring if they decide to hold onto this pick and whiff in free agency. Even if they do get their dream scenario in adding players like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, Barrett could provide some secondary scoring off the bench and give them a solid rotation piece on a cheap contract right away.
4. New Orleans Pelicans
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Elfrid Payton* | SG: Jrue Holiday | SF: E’twaun Moore | PF: Julius Randle^ | C: Anthony Davis
Team Needs: G, SF, C
Jarrett Culver, Sophomore, SG, Texas Tech | 18.5 ppg, 3.7 apg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 spg, 0.6 bpg
Jarrett Culver is the perfect example of the positionless “perimeter player” who can shift between the two and three, and at 6’6” he could potentially play as the primary ball handler in some bigger lineups. He’s athletic and savvy enough that defensively he could shift onto power forwards as well making him a Swiss Army Knife defender who can cover whoever the team needs him to. Offensively Culver is equally multidimensional as in his two years at Texas Tech he showed proficiency working off the ball in his freshman year, and then as the go to guy and main ball handler his sophomore year. He can attack off the dribble and has enough playmaking sense to make the correct reads, though he won’t necessarily pick apart a defense with his passing. He has a good enough jumpshot to keep opposing defenders honest, but he will likely need to work on his NBA three pointer if he really wants to become a weapon on that end. The Pelicans will reportedly look to trade this pick either to acquire a young starting caliber center after the Anthony Davis trade left them thin in the frontcourt or to possibly trade down to around nine or ten where they can draft their center of the future. If they are unable to trade the pick though Culver seems like the ideal off-ball guard to put alongside either Jrue Holiday or Lonzo Ball with the spacing and secondary ball handling that he provides.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Collin Sexton | SG: Jordan Clarkson | SF: Cedi Osman | PF: Kevin Love | C: Tristan Thompson
Team Needs: SG, SF, C
Darius Garland, Freshman, Vanderbilt, PG | 16.2 ppg, 2.6 apg, 3.8 rpg, 0.8 spg, 0.4 bpg
The Cavaliers are starved of talent so someone like Darius Garland who showed plenty of talent during his injury shortened season at Vanderbilt would be a great addition. Garland also has some of the best upside of any player outside the top three players in this draft giving the Cavaliers a player who could potentially become the third or second best player in this draft with the fifth overall pick. Garland only played five games for Vanderbilt before suffering a knee injury and electing to sit out the remainder of the season. Because of that he is somewhat of a risky pick this high, but in his five games of action he displayed some incredible tools that should translate well to the NBA. He shot 47.8% on 23 three-point attempts making him a nice option to spot up around other ball handlers like Devin Booker in the half court. He could also play as a primary ball handler as his playmaking and handling rivals that of the likely second overall pick Ja Morant. He also has the quickness to get by defenders in the half court or push the pace on the break. His only real weaknesses are that defensively his wiry frame and tactical struggles will make him a below average defender, and he is somewhat turnover prone and may have some difficulty learning to read opposing defenses.
6. Phoenix Suns
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Tyler Johnson^ | SG: Devin Booker | SF: Mikal Bridges | PF: Kelly Oubre Jr.† | C: Deandre Ayton
Team Needs: PG, F
Coby White, Freshman, North Carolina, PG | 16.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.3 bpg
The Suns desperately need a point guard after struggling to find one since trading Eric Bledsoe, and they will have a chance to draft an elite prospect in either Darius Garland or Coby White. Jonathan Givony is reporting that of the two the Suns prefer White because of his combo guard potential and his superior size and length. White is an extremely speedy, score first point guard who can score from all over the court including out to the NBA three-point line. His athleticism allows him to alter his body in midair when attacking the basket allowing him to score acrobatic layups with ease even with rim protectors challenging him. He also has a nice mid-range and floater game so once he gets around the primary defender, he can pull up around the free throw line before the opposing paint protectors have time to step up. Despite his scoring prowess White has a long way to go in other areas as he isn’t the greatest playmaker because he is often looking for his own shot and his speed sometimes means he can get out of control when running the floor. Defensively he is fairly tall and long with active hands allowing hi to get a few steals, but at nineteen-years-old he still has room to grow in the pick-and-roll defense, and his thin frame will allow bigger players to bully him. The upside is high here with White, but he needs to continue to show development and growth to become a star.
7. Chicago Bulls
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Kris Dunn | SG: Zach LaVine | SF: Otto Porter | PF: Lauri Markkanen | C: Wendell Carter Jr.
Team Needs: PG, SF, C
DeAndre Hunter, Sophomore, SF, Virginia | 15.2 ppg, 2.0 apg, 5.1 rpg, 0.6 spg, 0.6 bpg
Even though he is listed as a sophomore, DeAndre Hunter will be 22 years old by the end of the year. That works for and against him as he is an incredibly intelligent and mature player who understands his strengths and role already, but it means he is likely already near his ceiling at this point and won’t be making any larger leaps developmentally. For most teams that won’t matter though as Hunter already has shown incredible skill in most areas of the game. He was a 42% three-point shooter in college and extending his range to the NBA line doesn’t seem like it will be much of an issue. His mid-range game is arguably his greatest strength on the offensive end though as he showed an ability to rise up over smaller players and make contested shots against larger opponents. His ability to play both forward positions also meant he developed a bit of a post-game to deal with smaller wings. Defensively he has the length and energy to potentially become an elite lockdown defender as he can shift across all five positions defensively. Even though Hunter can do almost everything well most scouts don’t think he will become a top tier player in any area specifically making him the ultimate role player. The Bulls are a bit ahead of some of the other teams near the top of the lottery in terms of their timetable with players like Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Otto Porter getting significant minutes, so the ability to get a plug and play draft pick like Hunter who can potentially become an elite defender is a great fit.
8. Atlanta Hawks
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Trae Young | SG: Kevin Huerter | SF: Taurean Prince | PF: John Collins | C: Dewayne Dedmon*
Team Needs: Wing, C
Cameron Reddish, Freshman, SF, Duke | 13.5 ppg, 1.9 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.6 spg, 0.6 bpg
The third of Duke’s three stellar freshman Cameron Reddish didn’t always get a chance to showcase how good he was because of the volume of shots both Zion and R.J. got up, but the offensive skillset is clearly there already with Reddish. He already is more than comfortable shooting from NBA range and when he gets in position for a shot, he is a solid bet to sink it. His length (7’1” wingspan) and size (6’8”) make him a great on ball defender and a solid help defender who can cover space and cut off passing lanes with ease. He is also an above average athlete giving him the tools necessary to draw extra defenders when he drives, and then he has the vision to kick to open shooters. He doesn’t have the quickest first step though so he often struggles to create good shots for himself and when he struggles to get by someone, he often would pull up over the defender rather than reset the offense. Because of how often he deferred to teammates at Duke it is also unknown if he can be the focal point of an offense, but at the very least Reddish seems like he could be a solid spot up shooter for a Hawks lineup that just traded away their starting small forward in Taurean Prince and needs spacing to surround the Trae Young John Collins pick-and-roll.
9. Washington Wizards
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Tomas Satoransky† | SG: Bradley Beal | SF: Trevor Ariza* | PF: Bobby Portis† | C: Thomas Bryant*
Team Needs: SF, PF, C
Sekou Doumbouya, 18-years-old, F, France | 7.8 ppg, 0.7 apg, 3.3 rpg, 0.7 spg, 0.5 bpg
Sekou Doumbouya is an incredibly intriguing prospect because of the upside he provides with his unreal athleticism and physical tools. At 6’9” with a 6’11” wingspan he is already a terror defensively, and he still is learning the game having only started playing about six years ago. Technically his shot mechanics are solid especially if he is able to set his feet and he has shown an ability to make shots all the way out to the three-point line. His athleticism and size mean he can get past bigger players and then bully smaller opponents when attacking off the dribble. He doesn’t have great ball handling skills, but in the open court and when he gets the step on his defenders, he is a good finisher around the rim. He also isn’t afraid of contact around the rim both defensively and offensively which will make him a good rim protector due to his willingness to challenge shots, and he should be able to draw fouls at a fairly high rate. With all of that being said he still needs a lot of polish before he can be a solid rotation level player, but if he is given the time and environment to develop, he can become a two-way star. For the Wizards who desperately need front line help Doumbouya can provide some minutes right away and give the state of John Wall’s health it seems like the Wizards are headed for a lengthy rebuild which would fit Doumbouya’s developmental timeline well.
10. Atlanta Hawks (via Dallas Mavericks)
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Trae Young | SG: Kevin Huerter | SF: Taurean Prince | PF: John Collins | C: Dewayne Dedmon*
Team Needs: SG, C
Jaxson Hayes, Freshman, PF/C, Texas | 10.0 ppg, 0.3 apg, 5.0 rpg, 0.6 spg, 2.2 bpg
After adding someone like Cam Reddish to bolster their wing rotation the Hawks will likely look to add another big man alongside John Collins. Jaxson Hayes, like Collins, can play as a center or power forward allowing both players to toggle up or down depending on which matchup the Hawks like better based on the opponent. Hayes would be the better rim protector of the two as his 6’11” 220-pound frame and 7’4” wingspan allowed him to block over two shots a game at Texas last season while contesting and altering many more. He’s much more mobile than most other rim protectors as well meaning he should be able to defend the pick-and-roll fairly well. Offensively he is limited to the role of a lob threat or around the rim finisher meaning Collins will continue to have to develop his jumpshot if they are to coexist right away, but Hayes shows some promise as a face up player who can develop somewhat of a mid-range game. He still has a long way to go on the offensive end though and he also needs to develop mentally as he struggled with the pace of the college game at times meaning the NBA will cause even more problems. Hayes also got into foul trouble at times though that will likely be cut down as he grows mentally and begins to read the game better.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Josh Okogie | SF: Andrew Wiggins | PF: Taj Gibson* | C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Team Needs: PG, SG, PF
Nassir Little, Freshman, SF, North Carolina | 9.8 ppg, 0.7 apg, 4.6 rpg, 0.5 spg, 0.5 bpg
It’s fair to say Nassir Little underperformed for North Carolina as he struggled to get regular game time and when he did see the court, he wasn’t always effective. Still the upside for Little is worth betting on as he has the potential to become an elite two-way force and he has reportedly looked much better in workouts than he did at times in college. At one point or another Little did almost everything well for short stretches, and now it is just a matter of putting it all together all at once. His immediate strengths upon being drafted will be his athleticism and physical tools along with his ability to attack the basket. He is unafraid of contact and despite his poor shooting overall, he hit free throws at a decent enough rate that he should be confident in trying to draw fouls. Defensively, he also has a lot to offer based purely off his physical gifts, but he also showed the ability to diagnose and anticipate plays to come up with steals or take away shots before the appeared. Little will be a project when he enters the league as he has a long way to go with his jumpshot and still needs to become a more fluid and natural player as he at times looked mechanical and awkward at North Carolina. By drafting him the Timberwolves would likely then look to move Andrew Wiggins back to the two-guard spot where he seemed a more natural fit.
12. Charlotte Hornets
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Kemba Walker* | SG: Jeremy Lamb* | SF: Nicolas Batum | PF: Marvin Williams | C: Cody Zeller
Team Needs: SF, PF, C
Rui Hachimura, Junior, PF, Gonzaga | 19.7 ppg, 1.5 apg, 6.5 rpg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg
Rui Hachimura could easily end up going in the lottery as the Gonzaga big man is a polished post-up player with a nifty back to the basket game. His size and physicality combine well with his post repertoire to make him one of the more NBA ready prospects in the draft. He doesn’t have great athleticism, so he won’t be playing above the rim much, and he needs to work on his shooting as well if he wants to become a real offensive weapon. His defense is decent enough as he has enough quickness to hang with some guards if he switches onto them, but he is much more comfortable sticking on opposing big men in the paint. Even then he still needs to refine his defensive skillset both physically and mentally in his recognition of what opposing players are looking for. On a Hornets team that could lose Kemba Walker in free agency and needs help along the front-line Hachimura could become a foundational piece in their next rebuild serving as the central pivot around which their offense will operate.
13. Miami Heat
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Justice Winslow | SG: Dion Waiters | SF: Josh Richardson | PF: James Johnson | C: Bam Adebayo
Team Needs: SG, PF
Kevin Porter Jr., Freshman, SG, USC | 9.5 ppg, 1.4 apg, 4.0 rpg, 0.8 spg, 0.5 bpg
Kevin Porter Jr. is a bit of an enigma because even as a top recruit last year at USC he at times struggled to get game time and faced injury and disciplinary issues. Those issues have made it difficult for most people to project where Porter Jr. will end up. Still, when he did play, he showed in flashes the incredible potential that made him such a highly touted recruit. He has incredible athleticism allowing him to fit the roll of a slashing two guard, or he can create his own shot with a nifty step back move. He shot well from beyond the arc too which will force opposing defenders to play him honestly meaning he will have space to get in behind them with his quickness for lobs or back door cuts. He can also handle the ball fairly well giving him combo guard potential though he doesn’t show much as a passer. Defensively the tools and skillset are there as well for him to become a top-level player as well. If Porter can work past his discipline issues and a team is willing to deal with the potential headaches he will cause, he could become an all-star level player. With a coach like Erik Spoelstra and the ultra-competitive work environment of the Heat, Porter could grow both as a person and as a player.
14. Boston Celtics (via Sacramento Kings)
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Kyrie Irving^ | SG: Marcus Smart | SF: Jayson Tatum | PF: Marcus Morris* | C: Al Horford^
Team Needs: PG, PF
P.J. Washington, Sophomore, PF, Kentucky | 15.2 ppg, 1.8 apg, 7.5 rpg, 0.8 spg, 1.2 bpg
P.J. Washington is an undersized and below average athlete, but he has a big strong frame and a refined game in all areas of play. At Kentucky he developed a reliable jump hook from the low post and also can finish inside the paint fairly well. When operating from the high post Washington had a nice mid-range face up game at Kentucky when he looked to score, and he also displayed solid distribution from the high post, sucking in defenders and then dishing the ball to open shooters spotting up around him. That portion of his game will likely be what translates best as he will likely struggle against the bigger bodies of the NBA around the rim. Washington also developed a three-point shot his second year at Kentucky, but he doesn’t quite have NBA range yet. Because he is undersized and will likely struggle in traffic offensively, Washington will need to expand his perimeter game if he is to become an effective offensive weapon. Defensively Washington is solid, but nothing really stands out as a clear strength or weakness. He can immediately contribute to the Celtics who are suddenly scrambling for help as both Al Horford and Kyrie Irving are expected to leave along with potentially Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier.
15. Detroit Pistons
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Reggie Jackson | SG: Wayne Ellington* | SF: Bruce Brown Jr. | PF: Blake Griffin | C: Andre Drummond
Team Needs: SG, SF
Romeo Langford, Freshman, SG, Indiana | 16.5 ppg, 2.3 apg, 5.4 rpg, 0.8 spg, 0.8 bpg
Romeo Langford went to Indiana with a high pedigree, and then he ended up underperforming on what was expected of him. His three-point shot was shaky at best as he only shot 27% from beyond the arc and his effort and focus on both ends of the court was highly inconsistent. Still he has a near seven-foot wingspan and good enough athleticism that he should be able to create his own shot and then elevate over defenders meaning it is just a matter of refining his mechanics and becoming more consistent as a shooter. Offensively his real strength is using his size for his position (he is 6’6”) and ability to run the pick-and-roll to get into the lane and finish around the rim. Langford will primarily play as a shooting guard, but he has enough playmaking chops and ball handling skills to work as a larger point guard, though he isn’t strong enough in either of those areas to play too many minutes at the position. Defensively Langford’s physical tools and athleticism give him plenty of upside, but at Indiana he often looked disengaged and couldn’t consistently buckle down and lock up opposing players. Another niche skill that is fairly unique for a guard is Langford’s role as a rebounder. He is willing to crash the offensive glass and on the defensive end he can elevate above other guards for boards. For a Pistons team that has frequently gutted their wing rotation Langford will provide some much-needed help immediately while also giving them another ball handler, something they have lacked forcing them to become overly reliant on Reggie Jackson who doesn’t display any transcendent skills as a passer or scorer.
16. Orlando Magic
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: D.J. Augustin | SG: Evan Fournier | SF: Jonathan Isaac | PF: Aaron Gordon | C: Nikola Vucevic*
Team Needs: PG, SG
Tyler Herro, Freshman, SG, Kentucky | 14.0 ppg, 2.5 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.3 bpg
Tyler Herro is a pure shooting two guard who has some potential as a slasher. Herro was one of the best shooters in the country from behind the three point line, and while he prefers spotting up and having someone dish the ball to him he showed some ability to get his own shot, something he will need to improve if he is to become more effective at the next level. Herro also brought the ball up at times for Kentucky and he operated some pick-and-roll sets displaying in flashes some off the dribble scoring. Defensively he doesn’t have incredible athleticism or length so he will mostly have to rely on his effort and positioning to be successful defensively as at times it was too easy for players to get by him. Orlando seems to have their front line rotation set so they will be looking to add to their back court, and with neither of their forwards or Nikola Vucevic being particularly great shooters someone with a pure stroke like Herro will offer some much needed spacing for Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac to operate.
17. Atlanta Hawks
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Trae Young | SG: Kevin Huerter | SF: Taurean Prince | PF: John Collins | C: Dewayne Dedmon*
Team Needs: Wing, C
Brandon Clarke, Junior, PF, Gonzaga | 16.9 ppg, 1.9 apg, 8.6 rpg, 1.2 spg, 3.2 bpg
Brandon Clarke is undersized for his position at 6’8”, but he makes up for it with his bounce and athleticism which allows him to play above the rim offensively and serve as a slightly smaller rim protector defensively. At 23 years old he won’t surprise anyone as what you see now is likely what you are going to get other than some minor tweaks to his game. He is a good post player with a solid repertoire that he is comfortable using, and his verticality will make him a great rim running lob threat in the pick and roll game. His jumpshot will definitely need some work as even after rebuilding his jumper just a few years ago he isn’t much of a shooter unless he is wide open. His greatest upside though is as a defender where he showed an ability to switch on pick-and-rolls and shut down the guards he switched onto. He can guard all five positions and has an incredible motor allowing him to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time and making him a great weak side defender. Perhaps the one downside so far for Clarke is he sometimes gets overzealous chasing blocks leaving him out of position and exposed for offensive rebounds or dump off passes for easy layups or dunks. I have the Hawks taking Cameron Reddish and Jaxson Hayes with their first two picks in this draft which should give them a starting lineup of Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, Reddish, John Collins, and Hayes that they can feel confident in for the future. As such they will be focused on adding depth to the team, and Clarke will provide some much-needed depth to the front court while also providing insurance in case Hayes, who is a fairly risky pick, doesn’t pan out as the player the Hawks hope he’ll become.
18. Indiana Pacers
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Darren Collison* | SG: Tyreke Evans* | SF: Bojan Bogdanovic* | PF: Thaddeus Young* | C: Myles Turner
Team Needs: PG, PF
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Sophomore, G, Virginia Tech | 16.2 ppg, 4.0 apg, 4.1 rpg, 1.9 spg, 0.5 bpg
An offensive combo-guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker should provide some immediate scoring to whichever team drafts him. He also has a high basketball IQ and understands what the defense is giving him and his versatility on the offensive end allows him to take advantage of what is available. He can be a lights-out shooter at times, and at the worst he will be just an average shooter. When he drives to the basket, he is equally comfortable using either hand which will be important given he isn’t particularly strong and struggles to finish through contact. He shared ball handling duties at Virginia Tech and is an effective enough playmaker that he should be able to create open shots for his teammates. Defensively his high IQ leads to a fair number of steals and he is decent enough as an on-ball defender. The biggest knock on Alexander-Walker is he isn’t a particularly great athlete and he lacks the strength to tussle with bigger players. Without an explosive first step or the ability to fight through contact he is reliant on using his craftiness and dribble moves to get himself open for shots. The Pacers could see most of their perimeter players walk in free agency which would leave them desperately in need of wing players and ball handlers to surround Victor Oladipo with. Alexander-Walker could give them a reliable secondary ball handler while also providing some depth and scoring for the Pacers.
19. San Antonio Spurs
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Derrick White | SG: Bryn Forbes | SF: DeMar DeRozan | PF: LaMarcus Aldridge | C: Jakob Poeltl
Team Needs: Wing, C
Bol Bol, Freshman, C, Oregon | 21.0 ppg, 1.0 apg, 9.6 rpg, 0.8 spg, 2.7 bpg
The son of Manute Bol, Bol Bol takes after his father as he has an unnaturally good shooting touch given his length and size, and he has an extremely thin body. The upside is there for Bol to potentially become the second or third best player in this draft due to his extreme athleticism combined with his physical gifts. He also has plenty of technical strengths as well with his shooting being the most obvious, but he can also finish inside, is a great defender who can stay in front of much smaller opponents, and he is able to handle the ball fairly well meaning he could possibly run some inverted pick-and-rolls. The biggest question mark though is his health. Bol barely got to play at Oregon because of a stress fracture that he suffered, and his incredibly thin body type won’t make that issue any easier to deal with. He needs to start adding weight immediately as his body is simply too frail to make him an effective player right away. Given how quickly injuries could derail Bol’s career I would expect whoever drafts him to give him the time he needs to develop his body and learn the game rather than expecting too much from him right away. The Spurs need frontcourt help given the age of some of their players and the low ceiling on the other bigs on their roster so Bol could help in that area, and you would trust the San Antonio management and coaching staff to develop him and keep him healthy.
20. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers)
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Kyrie Irving^ | SG: Marcus Smart | SF: Jayson Tatum | PF: Marcus Morris* | C: Al Horford^
Team Needs: PG, PF
Goga Bitadze, 19-years-old, C, Georgia | 12.1 ppg, 1.2 apg, 6.4 rpg, 0.5 spg, 2.3 bpg
Even though he may get taken well after Sekou Doumbouya, there are some scouts who believe Goga Bitadze could become the best international player in this draft. He already has a solid low post game and he is improving as a shooter giving him the potential to become a stretch big. At 7’2” 250-pounds he is a large body and has filled out his frame fairly well though he still needs to learn how to use his size as he sometimes comes off as soft in shying away from contact. Defensively he still has to mature a lot as his below average athleticism means he will need to rely on positioning and mechanics to become a solid interior defender. He is foul prone and gets baited fairly easy by pump fakes leaving himself exposed to back door cuts and easy baskets in the pick-and-roll. Bitadze is one of the less polished players in the draft, but he has the upside to be an offensive powerhouse if he continues to improve. If the Celtics also draft P.J. Washington with their earlier pick as I have them doing, Bitadze would fill out their frontcourt rotation and possibly give them their future starting tandem.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Russell Westbrook | SG: Terrance Ferguson | SF: Paul George | PF: Jerami Grant | C: Steven Adams
Team Needs: SG, PF
Mfiondu Kabengele, Sophomore, PF, Florida State | 13.2 ppg, 0.3 apg, 5.9 rpg, 0.6 spg, 1.5 bpg
Mfiondu Kabengele was the Seminoles leading scorer despite coming off the bench. The rangy power forward can score from all over the court with a comfortable shooting touch that extends out to the NBA three-point line. He had somewhat of a post game though he will need to refine it in the NBA as he was mostly reliant on his size and strength to bully players rather than footwork and technical skills. Kabengele also has a nice mid-range game which he could utilize by facing up in the high post or on pick-and-pop sets. He needs to work on his scoring off the dribble, and could use some help to his game all around off the bounce as if he continues to improve as a scorer he will need to be able to pass out of the double teams he will likely draw. Defensively, Kabengele will need a lot of work as he doesn’t have the quickness to hang in front of opposing guards and wings, and he doesn’t have the ideal size or athleticism to serve as a rim protector. He will also get picked apart in the pick-and-roll until he gets better at recognizing what the opposition is looking for. With the Thunder reportedly listening to offers for Steven Adams they could be in need of frontcourt help and Kabengele has the ability to play either power forward or some small ball center giving the Thunder and interchangeable duo of Kabengele and Jerami Grant who is similarly positioned.
22. Boston Celtics
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Kyrie Irving^ | SG: Marcus Smart | SF: Jayson Tatum | PF: Marcus Morris* | C: Al Horford^
Team Needs: PG, PF
Cameron Johnson, Senior, SF, North Carolina | 16.9 ppg, 2.4 apg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 spg, 0.3 bpg
Cameron Johnson is one of the best shooters in this draft giving the Celtics back some of the floor spacing they could lose with all of the players they have heading into free agency this season. He is a bit too big and isn’t quick enough to shift to the two-spot and he isn’t large or strong enough to play as a small ball four either meaning he will likely be locked in at the small forward position. Johnson doesn’t offer much outside of shooting right now, but he could become an effective three-and-D type player if he works on his body and becomes a more consistent perimeter defender. At 23-years-old he is mature and understands the game and his role on a team and he will fit the timeline of the Celtics well. Johnson could also allow the Celtics to have some positional versatility shifting players like Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart up to shooting guard and point guard respectively while players like Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum could be slotted into a small ball four role as well.
23. Memphis Grizzlies (via Utah Jazz)
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Michael Conley | SG: Avery Bradley+ | SF: Kyle Anderson | PF: Jaren Jackson Jr. | C: Jonas Valanciunas^
Team Needs: PG, C
Keldon Johnson, Freshman, SG, Kentucky | 13.5 ppg, 1.6 apg, 5.9 rpg, 0.8 spg, 0.2 bpg
Keldon Johnson showed he could score from anywhere and any situation at Kentucky with a solid three-point shot and a good mid-range game to go along with a floater. Johnson doesn’t need the ball in his hands to score either as he is an active cutter off the ball getting himself into good positions, and he is able to operate as a spot up shooter as well. He is an above average defender as well because of his size for the two-guard position and his athleticism and quick feet. Despite posting strong shooting numbers overall though Johnson was streaky at times and he needs to become much more consistent if he wants to be someone a team can rely on. He has a solid frame to finish through contact fairly well, but he had trouble at times attacking off the bounce and without any real dribbling chops he could struggle even more against the quicker more physical play of the NBA. He also needs to improve his playmaking because even though he operated as a secondary ball handler a decent amount at Kentucky he never showed much as a passer. Johnson is also more of a jack-of-all-trades player than someone who is great at any one thing meaning he may top out as a top-level rotational player unless he is able to show major improvement to either his defense or scoring. Johnson could give the Grizzlies a young backcourt partner to grow alongside Ja Morant while also strengthening a wing rotation that isn’t particularly deep or talented.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Ben Simmons | SG: J.J. Redick* | SF: Jimmy Butler^ | PF: Tobias Harris* | C: Joel Embiid
Team Needs: SG, PF
Matisse Thybulle, Senior, SG, Washington | 9.1 ppg, 2.1 apg, 3.1 rpg, 3.5 spg, 2.3 bpg
Matisse Thybulle is a defensive specialist that is long and lanky giving the Sixers yet another player who can disrupt opposing ball handlers. Thybulle’s steal and block numbers at Washington were ridiculous, and while he did most of that damage playing in a 2-3 zone his anticipation, length, and active hands will translate well to the NBA where he can easily adapt to a man-to-man system. Thybulle still has a lot of room to grow on the offensive end, but he was a career 35.8% three-point shooter in college and showed steady improvement as someone who could catch the ball on the wing and drive at opposing defenders rushing out at him. His length could also make him a better slasher if he can improve at finishing in traffic as he should be able to use his length to keep the ball away from shot blockers. As a senior Thybulle isn’t as young as most of the players in this draft and his ceiling might be lower, but his floor is much higher and for a team that could potentially lose its starting shooting guard and is in win now mode he should be able to play right away as a rotation wing.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Damian Lillard | SG: C.J. McCollum | SF: Maurice Harkless | PF: Al-Farouq Aminu* | C: Jusuf Nurkic
Team Needs: SF, PF
K.Z. Okpala, Sophomore, SF/SG, Stanford | 16.8 ppg, 2.0 apg, 5.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 0.5 bpg
K.Z. Okpala added a three-point shot to his game this season and he was one of the better shooters in the Pac 12 by the end of the season. An incredible athlete he can also finish well when attacking the basket and can play above the rim as well. He leverages his shooting ability to get inside and then also understands that his ability to finish will draw defenders and he uses that to kick it out to open players on the perimeter. In the open court Okpala is quick with the ball in his hands and attacks down the lane, and when he doesn’t have the ball, he fills the right lanes to keep the correct spacing. At 6’8” he has great size to play either the two or three and he also has the physical skillset to guard the 1-4. He still has a way to go in terms of on ball defense as sometimes his effort wanes as does his willingness to work through contact, but the potential is there for him to become a solid two-way player. Okpala needs to continue to mold his body into an NBA ready frame and work on the defensive side of the game to become an effective NBA player, but the path is there for him to be successful at the next level. With Al-Farouq Aminu and Rodney Hood hitting free agency and Maurice Harkless only having one year left on his deal the Trail Blazers could be in need of a perimeter defender and the upside that Okpala has in that area could make him a perfect fit in Portland.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Houston Rockets)
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Collin Sexton | SG: Jordan Clarkson | SF: Cedi Osman | PF: Larry Nance Jr. | C: Tristan Thompson
Team Needs: SG, SF, C
Bruno Fernando, Sophomore, C, Maryland | 13.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 10.6 rpg, 0.6 spg, 1.9 bpg
Bruno Fernando has one of the most refined post games in this draft and if that skillset is able to translate to the NBA, he should become an effective back to the basket big. While his style of play has become less common in the modern NBA he is adding somewhat of a face-up game which should help him become a more effective player. His shooting form is solid as evidenced by his career 75% free throw shooting, and now it is simply a matter of extending his range as right now he is limited to just about the free throw line. Once he gets the ball on the low block he is nearly impossible to stop as he uses his large frame to bump opponents off balance and create space, then he has an arsenal of moves that he uses effectively to get good looks and he is comfortable finishing with both hands. He also boxes out well grabbing a fair number of boards even though he is slightly undersized. Defensively he hasn’t shown much as a rim protector so far which is a bit of a concern and he doesn’t have the quickness to hang with guards on the perimeter if he gets switched onto them either. Fernando will give the Cavaliers an exit plan from the tenuous contract they gave Tristan Thompson if they find some way to dump his contract, and if not he will serve as a solid replacement once Thompson hits free agency.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Denver Nuggets)
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: D’Angelo Russell† | SG: Joe Harris | SF: Caris LeVert | PF: Jared Dudley* | C: Jarrett Allen
Team Needs: SG, PF
Dylan Windler, Senior, SF/SG, Belmont | 21.3 ppg, 2.5 apg, 10.8 rpg, 1.4 spg, 0.6 bpg
Dylan Windler is a pure shooter who hit 42.9% of his threes last season, and his left-handed stroke is a unique quirk that can throw off defenders slightly as most feel somewhat less comfortable contesting left-handed shots than right-handed shots. Windler also used his deadly shooting to cause opposing defenders to overcommit and then blow by them both with and without the ball. Windler also rebounded pretty well for a perimeter player, especially one who spends so much time beyond the three-point line. Without much athleticism though Windler will struggle defensively at the next level, and he also needs to add on some muscle if he wants to prevent getting bullied by larger and stronger wings. For a Nets team that will be eyeing a deeper run in the playoffs Windler could provide them with a solid scoring option off the bench and give them some depth at the wing position with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson not receiving a qualifying offer from the team.
28. Golden State Warriors
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Stephen Curry | SG: Klay Thompson* | SF: Kevin Durant^ | PF: Draymond Green | C: DeMarcus Cousins*
Team Needs: G, SF
Darius Bazley, 18-years-old, SF/PF, Sat out last season after initially committing to Syracuse
The Warriors face a daunting process next season as they will have to deal not only with the likely loss of Kevin Durant, but also the fact that Klay Thompson will miss likely the entire season with a torn ACL if they resign him. Without much cap space to add talent the Warriors’ position seems fairly dire, but in Darius Bazley they could get a solid contributor with the 28th pick. Bazley drew a lot of attention last year after indicating he was going to play in the G League rather than college, but he ended up walking back that statement and just training on his own this past year. Bazley has plenty of upside, and already has a solid base as a switchable defender with his length and size while also displaying the ability to hit an open jumpshot, something he’ll get plenty of opportunities to take playing alongside Stephen Curry, and take some players off the bounce. Bazley obviously won’t make up for the loss of either Thompson or Durant, but he gives them a forward option to alleviate some stress on the aging Andre Iguodala while also serving as a potential replacement for Draymond Green if the Warriors are hesitant about handing him yet another max deal later when his current contract expires.
29. San Antonio Spurs (via Toronto Raptors)
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Derrick White | SG: Bryn Forbes | SF: DeMar DeRozan | PF: LaMarcus Aldridge | C: Jakob Poeltl
Team Needs: SG, C
Luka Samanic, 19-years-old, PF, Croatia | 8.2 ppg, 0.9 apg, 5.0 rpg, 0.3 spg, 0.3 bpg
Luka Samanic looks and plays like the typical European big man with some silky post moves and a shooting touch from outside. He also can guard all both forward positions and centers and with his solid size and length he could become a decent shot disruptor around the rim as he continues to improve. He isn’t that athletic though meaning he will likely struggle if he switches onto guards in the pick-and-roll defensively, while also remaining fairly ground bound on the offensive end. He’s not a great rebounder yet either even for his size as he still needs to work on adding muscle to fill out his long frame and allow him to tussle with other bigs in the paint. Samanic has a long way to go, but on a Spurs team that is known for its player development and is in need of some frontcourt depth Samanic seems like a solid fit for the club even if they do draft someone like Bol Bol with their earlier pick.
30. Detroit Pistons (via Milwaukee Bucks)
2018 Starting Lineup: PG: Reggie Jackson | SG: Wayne Ellington* | SF: Bruce Brown Jr. | PF: Blake Griffin | C: Andre Drummond
Team Needs: SG, SF
Nicolas Claxton, Sophomore, C, Georgia | 13.0 ppg, 1.8 apg, 8.6 rpg, 1.1 spg, 2.5 bpg
Nicolas Claxton is an athletic big man who could provide the Pistons with a long-term solution at center if they decide to move on from Andre Drummond at the end of next season when his contract expires. Claxton stands at 6’11”, but he is capable of playing power forward because of his fluid movements and quick feet which also allow him to keep up with guards when he gets switched onto them. Claxton also showed some decent ball handling skills while at Georgia giving him the ability to grab rebounds and then push the pace in transition before defenses can get set. As a rebounder Claxton will need to add a bit more weight and strength to tussle with opposing bigs, but the frame is there for him to become a solid glass cleaner. Offensively Claxton wasn’t much of a scorer in college, but he showed flashes of a jumpshot that could potentially extend to three-point range, and his athleticism gives him some upside as finisher around the rim as well.
Further Reading
One Offseason Move for Each NBA Team
How the Raptors and Injuries Ended the Warriors’ Dynasty
Contact me at uneducatedandunqualified@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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