2018 NBA Draft: Who's Gunnin' for Michael Porter Jr.'s No. 1 Spot?
Missouri freshman Michael Porter Jr. occupies the top spot on our 2018 NBA draft board. He's big, highly skilled and athletic—a mix that creates mismatch scoring potential. But he isn't locked in at No. 1.
There are a handful of other qualified candidates capable of leapfrogging Porter.
The following prospects, which include an obvious top challenger, wild card, forgotten one, unicorn and long shot, each possess enough upside to compete for No. 1 overall looks.
Whether it's due to tools and athleticism, skills, intangibles or a combination, these are the five players with the best shot to unseat Porter, the most polished of the pack.
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The No. 1 Challenger: Marvin Bagley III (Duke, PF/C)
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B/R's updated big board ranking: No. 2
More of a preseason 1B than clearcut No. 2, Marvin Bagley III has the best chance of anyone to unseat Porter at No. 1.
"Porter is the better player, Bagley is the better talent," one scout told Bleacher Report. "It's almost a Jayson Tatum-Josh Jackson type of debate."
Explosive, quick and 6'11", Bagley is one of those can't-miss athletes. He's big enough to play center, with the agility to switch out and contain a guard, and he covers ground at both ends, whereas Porter's appeal stems mostly from his scoring.
Bagley isn't as polished, but he's flashed potential in more areas.
An easy lob target, low-post option and relentless offensive rebounder, he can also play away from the basket, with the handle and body control to face up and drive, while he also possesses capable shooting touch around the arc.
Superior athleticism and versatility create the perception his ceiling is higher than Porter's. Bagley can convince scouts he'll get there with consistent impact play and persuasive flashes of skill, both inside and out.
The NCAA has yet to clear Bagley, which is why he doesn't appear on our most recent big board.
The Wild Card: Luka Doncic (Slovenia, PG/SG)
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B/R's updated big board ranking: No. 3
The overseas factor and an unorthodox style of play make Luka Doncic the wild card among No. 1 overall contenders.
Average athleticism and quickness aren't traditionally synonymous with No. 1 overall talent. Doncic—a 6'8", 18-year-old point-wing with dazzling ball skills, unteachable passing instincts and impact production against stiffer competition—is different.
Similar to how Lonzo Ball built his case at UCLA despite a lack of explosiveness, Doncic's appeal is built around his potential to influence a game as well as intangibles like basketball IQ. The Slovenian played a significant role in Real Madrid's run to the 2017 Euroleague Final Four, picking apart defenses with crafty ball-handling, ball-screen playmaking and three-point shooting.
Prepping for Eurobasket this month, Doncic has already had notable performances during friendly exhibitions, including a 27-point, eight-rebound, five-assist game against the Croatian national team, which included NBAers Dario Saric and Bojan Bogdanovic.
Following unusual success against international pros, Doncic now has to convince scouts it can translate and grow in a faster, bouncier NBA.
The Forgotten One: DeAndre Ayton (Arizona, C)
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B/R's updated big board ranking: No. 4
DeAndre Ayton had been atop Scout.com's recruiting ranks for most of the past two years before Porter took over.
Arizona's new big man always stood out in high school with grown-man tools (7'5 ½" wingspan) and is now listed at 7'1", 250 pounds by the Wildcats.
He'll be a force inside, both now against Pac-12 competition and later versus NBA opponents once he gets into his 20s. A good bet to lead all freshmen in rebounding and emerge as a defensive anchor in the paint, Ayton can impact games with his physical presence around the basket.
He plays above the rim with relative ease and shows touch on one-handers over his man on the block. But it's Ayton's perimeter skills that give him a chance to leapfrog Porter on boards.
He's a confident shooter (sometimes overly so) out to the arc and looks comfortable knocking down spot-up threes. If he can convince scouts the jumper will eventually be an every-game weapon—the way Karl-Anthony Towns did at Kentucky—Ayton's potential to protect the rim, work the post and stretch the floor could be enough to justify No. 1 overall consideration.
The Potential Unicorn: Mohamed Bamba (Texas, C)
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B/R's updated big board ranking: No. 5
NBA teams are always searching for unicorns, and they'll all be interested in Mohamed Bamba. On paper, he has the potential to be unlike anyone in the league with his unmatchable 7'9" wingspan and improving skill set.
A unique weapon at the rim, where his length and feet make him a high-percentage finishing target and create enormous upside in rim protection, Bamba has also flashed intriguing fluidity as a post scorer, driver and shooter.
Currently playing exhibitions with Texas in Australia, he went for 18 points, nine rebounds and five blocks against Melbourne United last week and made three jump shots, including a three-pointer.
He'd be a higher-ranked challenger if there weren't questions about his skinny frame and strength or the fact we've only seen occasional outside shooting. But with Rudy Gobert-like defensive potential and a more diverse offensive repertoire, Bamba should at least make the eventual lottery winner think.
The Returning Long Shot: Robert Williams (Texas A&M, PF/C)
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B/R's updated big board ranking: No. 6
Robert Williams is the long-shot candidate to challenge Porter. We'll find out early just how much he's sharpened and added to a game that was mostly fueled by athleticism and length (7'4" wingspan) last season.
A disruptive defender, inside presence and explosive lob target, Williams was productive and efficient without any advanced skill. Raw and lacking obvious polish, he still finished 21 of 31 games with double figures in points, had 55.6 percent shooting and averaged 12.6 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per 40 minutes.
Given his awesome tools and explosiveness, his ancillary strengths are good bets to translate. But returning as an improved shot-creator and shooter could significantly elevate Williams, who must become a bigger scoring threat in the half court.
He'll break into the draft's elite tier by showcasing better post footwork and more reliable mid-range touch.
Wingspans courtesy of DraftExpress.com.
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