The NBA Draft is here!
Several versatile big men highlight the top of the class, while a few explosive guards and do-it-all wings make up some of the middle pack.
Experts around the NBA think this year’s draft is even more unpredictable than past years, with several teams open to trading up or down, and an uncertainty over who are the best prospects.
To get a feel for how the draft might play out, we surveyed seven experts’ mock drafts and found the consensus pick for each position. When there wasn’t a consensus, we went with one experts’ opinion on who might be drafted.
Take a look below at how the 2018 NBA Draft might play out:
Our experts: Jonathan Givony of ESPN, The Ringer staff, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, USA Today staff, David Aldridge of NBA.com, Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation, and NBADraft.net.
1. Phoenix Suns — Deandre Ayton, C
School: Arizona
Age: 19
Experts: 9 of 9
Other possibilities: none
Expert quote: From Givony: "The Suns appear to be locked into Ayton with the top spot ... Physically, he's one of the most gifted prospects we've seen in the draft in the past few years, and he has an impressive skill level to boot."
2. Sacramento Kings — Marvin Bagley III, F/C
School: Duke
Age: 19
Experts: 7 of 9
Other possibilities: Luka Doncic, G/F (Real Madrid/Slovenia)
Expert quote: From Wasserman: "It's easy to understand how a front office sees more upside in Marvin Bagley III, who's far more athletic and just averaged 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds at Duke. Bagley would fill a major need for the Kings, since their frontcourt features Willie Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere."
3. Atlanta Hawks — Luka Doncic, G/F
School: none - Real Madrid, Slovenua
Age: 19
Experts: 7 of 9
Other possibilities: Marvin Bagley
Expert quote: From Woo: "Doncic would be able to start for the Hawks immediately, and gives them another lead ball-handling option as Atlanta has soured on Dennis Schröder. He'd be a strong fit if the Hawks decide to go for it, and seems highly unlikely to fall out of the top three."
4. Memphis Grizzlies — Jaren Jackson Jr., F/C
School: Michigan State
Age: 18
Experts: 5 of 9
Other possibilities: Michael Porter Jr., F (Missouri), Trae Young, PG (Oklahoma), Mohamed Bamba, F/C (Texas),
Expert quote: From Wasserman: "The potential best player available, Jackson could also start his career playing the 4 like he did at Michigan State. He's quick enough to guard the perimeter, while his ability to shoot threes bodes well for his chances of working offensively next to Marc Gasol."
5. Dallas Mavericks — Mohamed Bamba, F/C
School: Texas
Age: 20
Experts: 4 of 9
Other possibilities: Michael Porter Jr., F (Missouri), Wendell Carter Jr., C (Duke), Jaren Jackson Jr.
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "He's a defensive game-changer with his 7-10 wingspan and a standing reach that is matched in the NBA only by Rudy Gobert. His offensive skill set is also burgeoning, as he altered the mechanics of his jump shot during predraft workouts."
6. Orlando Magic — Wendell Carter Jr., C
School: Duke
Age: 19
Experts: 3 of 9
Other possibilities: Collin Sexton, PG (Alabama), Trae Young, PG (Oklahoma), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G (Kentucky), Mohamed Bamba, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "Carter has risen into this range throughout the process and would be something resembling the best player available. The Magic also could use a center of the future."
7. Chicago Bulls — Michael Porter Jr., F
School: Missouri
Age: 19
Experts: 4 of 9
Other possibilities: Kevin Knox, F (Kentucky), Wendell Carter Jr., Mohamed Bamba
Expert quote: From Wasserman: "Assuming they clear him, the Bulls could see Porter as a steal at No. 7. Before the season and surgery, many scouts had considered him the No. 1 overall favorite. As a 6'10 ¾" combo forward, Porter is a mismatch for his combination of size and perimeter skills in terms of shot-making off the catch or the dribble."
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Brooklyn Nets) — Trae Young, PG
School: Oklahoma
Age: 19
Experts: 4 of 9
Other possibilities: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G (Kentucky), Kevin Knox, F (Kentucky), Michael Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., Mohamed Bamba
Expert quote: From USA Today: "One of the most polarizing prospects in the draft, it's fun to project his jitterbug finishes and rainbow 3-pointers at the next level as he benefits from more spacing. It's also vital to ask how his size could handicap a team defensively."
9. New York Knicks — Kevin Knox, F
School: Kentucky
Age: 18
Experts: 4 of 9
Other possibilities: Mikal Bridges, G/F (Villanova), Collin Sexton, PG (Alabama), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G (Kentucky), Michael Porter Jr., Trae Young
Expert quote: From Givony: "There's a significant market in the NBA for combo forwards in his mold who can make an open shot, defend multiple positions and offer some offensive versatility. He's one of the youngest players in this draft, so he still has plenty of room to continue to grow."
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers) — Mikal Bridges, G/F
School: Villanova
Age: 21
Experts: 8 of 9
Other possibilities: Miles Bridges, F (Michigan State)
Expert quote: From Wasserman: "Turning 22 years old in August, Bridges will be able to contribute immediately with his shooting and defensive versatility. He should be fairly interchangeable at both ends, too."
11. Charlotte Hornets — Collin Sexton, PG
School: Alabama
Age: 19
Experts: 5 of 9
Other possibilities: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G (Kentucky), Kevin Knox
Expert quote: From Givony: "Finding a point guard of the future before Kemba Walker hits free agency is looking like a priority for the Hornets here ... Sexton brings tremendous aggressiveness driving the lane, taking off-the-dribble jumpers and putting defensive pressure on opposing guards."
12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Detroit Pistons) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G
School: Kentucky
Ages: 19
Experts: 2 of 9
Other possibilities: Miles Bridges, F (Michigan State), Lonnie Walker IV, G (Miami), Robert Williams, PF/C (Texas A&M), Trae Young, Collin Sexton
Expert quote: From NBADraft.net: "Gilgeous-Alexander is a promising point guard who could be a nice building block for a team in a transitional phase. With their current roster, they can't focus on filling needs and instead just adding young talent for the future."
13. Los Angeles Clippers — Robert Williams, PF/C
School: Texas A&M
Age: 21
Experts: 3 of 9
Other possibilities: Jerome Robinson, G (Boston College), Lonnie Walker IV, G (Miami), Collin Sexton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Expert quote: From USA Today: "Few prospects are as tantalizing as Williams in terms of his athleticism and agility. There's significant value if he can become more consistent."
Denver Nuggets — Miles Bridges, F
School: Michigan State
Age: 20
Experts: 5 of 9
Other possibilities: Zhaire Smith, G (Texas Tech), Kevin Knox
Expert quote: From Givony: "Bridges is a freakish athlete who ... undoubtedly has potential as a two-way forward who can guard all over the floor and give you enough shooting, ballhandling and passing to get by at one of the most important positions in today's NBA."
15. Washington Wizards — Lonnie Walker IV, G
School: Miami
Age: 19
Experts: 2 of 9
Other possibilities: Zhaire Smith, G (Texas Tech), Jerome Robinson, G (Boston College), Robert Williams
Expert quote: From Woo: "If the Wizards keep this pick and choose not to trade down, they have enough rotation security at present that they can afford to take whichever lottery-level falls to them. Walker's athleticism and potential as a scorer are substantial and tantalizing."
16. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat) — Aaron Holiday, PG
School: UCLA
Age: 21
Experts: 4 of 9
Other possibilities: Keita Bates-Diop, F (Ohio State), Miles Bridges, Lonnie Walker IV, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Expert quote: From Givony: "Holiday has drawn a huge amount of attention from Phoenix throughout the draft process ... Holiday had an outstanding junior season and he would bring a number of attractive traits to the Suns with his microwave scoring ability, long wingspan and toughness."
17. Milwaukee Bucks — Jerome Robinson, G
School: Boston College
Age: 21
Experts: 3 of 9
Other possibilities: Donte DiVincenzo, G/F (Villanova), Troy Brown, F (Oregon), Lonnie Walker IV, Aaron Holiday
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "Robinson has risen to where he'll most likely be a top-20 pick. NBA executives point to terrific interviews and high intelligence as the factors that have pushed him upward, as well as strong workouts in which he's displayed the ability to shoot from all over the floor."
18. San Antonio Spurs — Troy Brown, F
School: Oregon
Age: 18
Experts: 3 of 9
Other possibilities:Kevin Huerter, G/F (Maryland), Zhaire Smith, G (Texas Tech), Donte DiVincenzo, G/F (Villanova), Robert Williams
Expert quote: From USA Today: "Wings are always at a premium, and though Brown isn't known as a scorer, it's his multitude of other skills - defensive versatility, rebounding - that could offer value in the NBA."
19. Atlanta Hawks — Zhaire Smith, G
School: Texas Tech
Age: 19
Experts: 3 of 9
Other possibilities: Kevin Huerter, G/F (Maryland), Elie Okobo, G (France), Grayson Allen, G (Duke), Robert Williams, Miles Bridges
Expert quote: From Woo: "The late teens are feeling like a sweet spot for Smith, a hyper-athletic project in need of serious skill development but with enough of a ceiling to become a starting-caliber player one day."
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Oklahoma City Thunder) — Donte DiVincenzo, G/F
School: Villanova
Age: 21
Experts: 5 of 9
Other possibilities: Keita Bates-Diop, F (Ohio State), Kevin Huerter, G/F (Maryland), Khyri Thomas, G (Creighton), Troy Brown
Expert quote: From Wasserman: "The Timberwolves could target DiVincenzo for offense and energy off the bench. He can offer the microwave scoring and secondary playmaking we saw in the national title game in addition to tough perimeter defense."
21. Utah Jazz — Kevin Huerter, G/F
School: Maryland
Age: 19
Experts: 4 of 9
Other possibilities: Moritz Wagner, F/C (Michigan), Eli Okobo, PG (France), Grayson Allen, G (Duke), Troy Brown
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "Teams have come away impressed during interviews, which ultimately played a role in them seeing him worthy of a first-round pick. He fits a lot of what Utah looks for in wing prospects, and would make a lot of sense here."
22. Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans Pelicans) — Chandler Hutchison, F
School: Boise State
Age: 22
Experts: 8 of 9
Other possibilities: Keita Bates-Diop, F (Ohio State)
Expert quote: From Woo: "Hutchison is a developed prospect who should be able to contribute immediately, and a lot of scouts are high on his tools, shooting ability, and capacity to play on and off the ball."
23. Indiana Pacers — Elie Okobo, PG
School: none - France
Age: 20
Experts: 4 of 9
Other possibilities: Josh Okogie, G (Georgia Tech), Jacob Evans, G/F (Cincinnati), Jalen Brunson, PG (Villanova), Jerome Robinson, Aaron Holiday
Expert quote: From Givony: "The smooth guard has good physical tools with the ability to pass out of pick-and-roll sets and make shots with range pulling up off the dribble. His size and length should allow him to play alongside another point guard in the same backcourt, which is attractive in today's NBA."
24. Portland Trail Blazers — no consensus
Possibilities: Khyri Thomas, G (Creighton), Anfernee Simons, G/F (IMG Academy), Dzanan Musa, F (Croatia), Josh Okogie, G (Georgia Tech), Troy Brown, Donte DiVincenzo, Jerome Robinson, Chandler Hutchison, Aaron Holiday
Expert quote: From Wasserman on Musa: "Musa has been working out for teams after another productive season overseas. The Blazers could use an additional wing scorer, which is exactly what Musa would provide."
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavaliers) — Mitchell Robinson, PF/C
School: Western Kentucky
Age: 20
Experts: 4 of 9
Other possibilities: De'Anthony Melton, G (USC), Anfernee Simons, G/F (IMG Academy), Dzanan Musa
Expert quote: From AldridgeL: "Robinson is an enigma to many, having fallen off the radar nationally after de-committing from Western Kentucky last year and never playing any college ball before declaring for the Draft. But he has had some eye-raising workouts-one for the Lakers-in the last few weeks, displaying the raw ability that made him a McDonald's all-American in high school."
26. Philadelphia 76ers — Josh Okogie, G
School: Georgia Tech
Age: 19
Experts: 3 of 9
Other possibilities: Keita Bates-Diop, F (Ohio State), De'Anthony Melton, G (USC), Khyri Thomas, G (Creighton), Troy Brown, Dzanan Musa
Expert quote: From Wasserman: "Okogie moved into the first-round discussion after the combine, turning heads with his athleticism, aggressive attacking and flashes of perimeter scoring."
27. Boston Celtics — Grayson Allen, G
Schools: Duke
Age: 22
Experts: 5 of 9
Other possibilities: Landry Shamet, G (Wichita State), Omari Spellman, F (Villanova), De'Anthony Melton, G (USC), Dzanan Musa
Expert quote: From Woo: "Allen is thought to be an option for Boston here, and his deep shot-making ability, toughness and experience all make sense with their system."
28. Golden State Warriors — Melvin Frazier, F
School: Tulane
Age: 21
Experts: 3 of 9
Other possibilities: Jacob Evans, G/F (Cincinnati), Gary Trent Jr., G/F (Duke), Bruce Brown, G/F (Miami) Josh Okogie, Mitchell Robinson
Expert quote: From Vecenie: "The team badly needs depth on the wing, something that was proven during its latest championship run ... Myers will be familiar with Frazier's skill set and should have interest, as he's tailor-made for the switch-heavy defensive scheme the Warriors run."
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Toronto Raptors) — no consensus
Possibilities: Keita Bates-Diop, F (Ohio State), Landry Shamet, G (Wichita State), Jalen Brunson, PG (Villanova), Moritz Wagner, F/C (Michigan), Jacob Evans, G/F (Cincinnati), Isaac Bonga, F (Germany), Donte DiVincenzo, Aaron Holiday, Dzanan Musa
Expert quote: From NBADraft.net on Evans: "Evans figures to be one of the best "complimentary" piece types in this draft with his 3-and-D potential. He may take a year or so to be able to extend his range to NBA three, but the potential is there."
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets) — Jalen Brunson, PG
School: Villanova
Age: 21
Experts: 2 of 9
Possibilities: Moritz Wagner, F (Michigan), Melvin Frazier, Dzanan Musa, Elie Okobo, Grayson Allen
Expert quote: From Givony: "Brunson is an extremely efficient offensive player, with a strong frame and reliable catch-and-shoot jumper. He rarely plays outside of his role and abilities."
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