Ideal Landing Spots for 2018 NBA Draft's Top Prospects
Fit plays a major role in NBA prospects' development once drafted.
Some players need time to grow, rather than being thrown right into the fire. Others are better off receiving immediate minutes to play through mistakes. The makeup of the roster is arguably the most important factor.
There is a specific team each one of our top 10 prospects would thrive most with based on who's on its roster and the short-term goals of the franchise.
We paired them up with the team that would be best for their particular skill set and readiness. Only teams projected to pick in the players' draft range (based on current standings) were considered as possible destinations.
Rankings are based on personal evaluation, while draft projections take into account how high the prospect can go and how low he can fall.
1. Deandre Ayton: Atlanta Hawks
1 of 10
Draft projection: Top two
Eligible teams based on current standings: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks
The Orlando Magic are overloaded with bigs, and who knows what the future holds for Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier? Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings haven't had great success developing prospects or adding free agents to improve their roster.
The Atlanta Hawks make sense for Deandre Ayton, a strong No. 1 overall candidate who'd slide right into the starting center position, presumably alongside the explosive John Collins. Ayton would receive all the touches he can ask for in Atlanta, where he'd play heavy minutes right away, likely as a top option.
Atlanta currently generates the fewest points from the post in the NBA, and Ayton grades as one of the top post scorers in the country (1.061 PPP, 89th percentile), per Synergy Sports. The Hawks, who rank No. 8 in three-point percentage, would even have shooters to surround their rookie big man.
Outside of their own projected top-three pick, Atlanta also has two other first-round selections (via the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets) to build with. Despite their record and lack of star power, the Hawks would be a promising, fitting franchise for Ayton to grow in.
2. Luka Doncic: Sacramento Kings
2 of 10
Draft projection: Top three
Eligible teams based on current standings: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks
Though not known as an appealing destination for rookies, Sacramento would work for Luka Doncic, who'd pair nicely with De'Aaron Fox.
While Doncic offers skill, offensive versatility and tremendous basketball IQ, he lacks the driving speed, athleticism around the rim and defensive potential that Fox brings.
Doncic may ultimately want to avoid the Atlanta Hawks and Dennis Schroder, a ball-dominant, poor defender. And though the idea of pairing with Dennis Smith Jr. in Dallas sounds appealing, Smith needs the rock as well, and the Mavericks lack talent and athleticism from positions 2-5.
On the flip side, the Kings should be all over Doncic and his winning intangibles, which have been needed in Sacramento for years.
3. Trae Young: Orlando Magic
3 of 10
Draft projection: Top seven
Eligible teams based on current standings: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls
The Orlando Magic make sense for Trae Young under the assumption that Elfrid Payton—who'll be a restricted free agent this summer—won't be back. That would give Young full control of the lead guard position, which the Magic have gotten minimal scoring from since drafting Payton.
Orlando (No. 7 in pace) would seemingly let Young run wild and bring his exciting brand of offense that features a relentless mix of three-point shooting, penetration and high-level passing. No team would value his shot-creating and shot-making more.
Plus, Young would ultimately benefit from playing alongside versatile, bouncy athletes like Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac, both of whom project as long-term cornerstones.
The struggling Phoenix Suns need a point guard as well, but if Young had the option, it would probably be wise to avoid the Western Conference and its backcourts.
4. Marvin Bagley III: Dallas Mavericks
4 of 10
Draft projection: Top four
Eligible teams based on current standings: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks
For Marvin Bagley III, there are questions about his defensive fit next to John Collins in Atlanta, and a Bagley-Willie Cauley-Stein pairing in Sacramento could lead to poor spacing. The Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns already have to deal with big-men logjams.
In Dallas, a more preferable destination, Bagley could be moved between the 4 and 5 based on how the Mavericks fill out their roster. They could build around him up front, as opposed to Bagley having to fit or morph into a specific shape elsewhere.
The Mavericks already have one explosive cornerstone in place with Dennis Smith Jr. Bagley would make two. Together, they'd create an exciting foundation that could help make Dallas a more attractive free-agent destination.
5. Mohamed Bamba: Phoenix Suns
5 of 10
Draft projection: Top six
Eligible teams based on current standings: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls
Mohamed Bamba and his extraordinary wingspan rank second in the country in shot-blocking (4.3 per game). He could be the key to unlocking the Phoenix Suns' potential. They already have a handful of offensive weapons, but they're tied for 29th in defensive efficiency and have struggled to win games for years.
If the Suns take him, it would be hard to imagine them re-signing Alex Len in free agency, meaning Bamba could start right away, even if the aging Tyson Chandler stays put.
Phoenix's core could ultimately wind up having one of the game's top scorers in Devin Booker and an elite rim protector, assuming Bamba's defensive presence carries over.
6. Michael Porter Jr.: Chicago Bulls
6 of 10
Draft projection: Top six
Eligible teams based on current standings: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls
Coming off back surgery and only two total minutes of college experience, Michael Porter Jr. won't want the attention a No. 1 NBA scoring option typically receives from defenses. That makes the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings unattractive. And the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns have an overload of forwards.
The Chicago Bulls could give Porter minutes and still allow him to settle in as a third or fourth option to start, the way the Boston Celtics have done with Jayson Tatum. Next year, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn could carry the load and let the game come to Porter for the time being.
Opponents could eventually have trouble slowing down the versatile scoring trio of LaVine, Porter and Markkanen.
7. Wendell Carter Jr.: Utah Jazz
7 of 10
Draft projection: Top 10
Eligible teams based on current standings: Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets), Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers), Memphis Grizzlies
Derrick Favors hasn't looked like the most convincing fit alongside Rudy Gobert. But Wendell Carter could be because of his ability to score inside and out with his 46.4 percent three-point stroke.
Between Donovan Mitchell and Gobert, Carter should want to join the Utah Jazz as their third cornerstone. Favors is a trade candidate entering the final year of his deal, and Carter, who's 6'10", 259 pounds and arguably the draft's most skilled big next to Deandre Ayton, could immediately step in as a starter.
The Charlotte Hornets jump out as a suitable destination for Carter as well, but with Dwight Howard's contract up after next season and trade rumors swirling around Kemba Walker, their roster could look gutted by 2018-19. The same goes for the Memphis Grizzlies with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol on the back end of their careers.
8. Jaren Jackson Jr.: Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets)
8 of 10
Draft projection: Top 10
Eligible teams based on current standings: Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets), Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers), Memphis Grizzlies
Raw offensively, Jaren Jackson Jr. would benefit from landing on a veteran team with scorers that let him play to his strengths. He'd also fill a major need for a Cleveland Cavaliers team that is tied for 29th in defensive efficiency.
Jackson's 11.2 defensive plus-minus is No. 3 in the country. He'd work for Cleveland at either the 4 or 5, providing both the ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim, given his 44.4 percent mark from downtown and remarkable 5.7 blocks per 40 minutes.
None of Cleveland's bigs do both. This pairing would be a win-win for both the prospect and franchise, even if the Cavaliers roster looks different next season. Either way, Jackson is an exciting prospect worth drafting anywhere in the Nos. 5-10 range for his unique mix of strengths. Right now he's on pace to be the only college player in more than 25 years to average three blocks and a three-point make in fewer than 25.0 minutes a game.
9. Kevin Knox: Philadelphia 76ers (via L.A. Lakers)
9 of 10
Draft projection: Late lottery
Eligible teams based on current standings: Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers), Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies
Don't count on Kevin Knox entering next year's Rookie of the Year race. The 18-year-old freshman could need a few years and will likely be on the same timelines as similar, previous project talents like Kelly Oubre and Tobias Harris.
For the next few seasons, Knox could take it slow behind Robert Covington and Dario Saric in Philadelphia. And by the time he's ready to consistently produce, he'd look like a strong complementary weapon between Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid for one of the up-and-coming teams in the league.
With Simmons facilitating, Covington providing three-and-D and Embiid working the post and protecting the rim, Knox would be able to focus on what he does best: scoring off the ball from the wings.
10. Collin Sexton: Memphis Grizzlies
10 of 10
Draft projection: Late lottery
Eligible teams based on current standings: Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers), Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies
Collin Sexton shouldn't be worried about starting right away. He'll need some time learning to run an offense (3.3 assists, 2.6 turnovers per game). And Mike Conley would be an ideal veteran to learn behind and alongside.
Conley, who's 30 years old and now out for the season to surgically repair his heel, will have two guaranteed years left on his deal. The Memphis Grizzlies aren't going anywhere in the Western Conference and can use that time to groom Sexton into Conley's replacement.
More of a scorer than facilitator, anyway, Sexton could even play alongside Conley.
Sexton's toughness and competitiveness also fit with the Grizzlies' identity.
Stats courtesy of ESPN and Sports-Reference.com
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