2018 NBA Draft: Top Targets for Whoever Lands Brooklyn Nets' Pick
The Cleveland Cavaliers own the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Will the Cavs keep it to prepare for the future, or will they trade it before Thursday's deadline at 3 p.m. ET to strengthen their roster and chances in this year's playoffs?
Either way, it's important to know what prospects could be available with that Nets pick, regardless of who's making it.
Through Tuesday, Brooklyn is 19-36 with the league's eighth-worst record. But the Nets are also just 1.5 games better than the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks, who are tied for the league's worst record.
Imagine the pick winds up somewhere in the Nos. 3-10 range. Let's take a look at the prospects who'll be available and worth taking that high.
Off the Board
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Assuming the Nets' pick isn't No. 1 or 2, Arizona's Deandre Ayton and Slovenia's Luka Doncic won't be available.
Based on conversations with scouts, Ayton and Doncic may have separated themselves atop the board.
Ayton, who's 7'1", 250 pounds with 7'5 ½" length and impressive athleticism, is averaging 19.7 points and 10.8 rebounds, showcasing an inside/out scoring versatility.
Meanwhile, Doncic continues to make a case for being one of the top players overseas—at 18 years old—in arguably the most competitive setting outside the NBA. Ranking second in Euroleague in scoring and first in player efficiency rating, per RealGM, Doncic's production and impact have been unlike anything NBA teams have ever seen from an international teenager.
Unless the Nets collapse down the stretch, it seems unlikely the Cavaliers (or whoever has Brooklyn's pick) will have a good shot to draft Ayton or Doncic.
Trae Young (Oklahoma, PG, Freshman)
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Projected draft range: Nos. 3-7
What you're getting: Lead guard
Could the Cavaliers eye Trae Young if Isaiah Thomas struggles to return to form? LeBron James has made it known he's a fan of the freshman who's leading the nation in scoring and assists.
Any team that ultimately needs a point guard should be intrigued by what he's doing at Oklahoma.
Pouring in 29.9 points per game, Young has carved up defenses using nifty ball-handling and change of speed paired with deep shooting range (4.2 three-pointers per game) and one of the best floaters (24 of 45) in the country.
He hogs the controls at Oklahoma, making almost every decision, but his playmaking and vision have been equally as impressive as his shot-making. A number of his teammates are registering career-high field-goal percentages thanks to Young's ability to create easy looks for them in transition, out of pick-and-rolls and off penetration.
He's generating offense at a historic level, and despite a lack of length and explosiveness, we've seen many NBA ball-handlers experience major success without them.
The 6'2", 180-pounder will have a serious adjustment to make, both in terms of physicality and freedom. And he may not have sold everyone on the Stephen Curry comparisons or his upside. But some team is going to find the potential with Young worth the risk and too enticing. It will likely cost a top-seven pick to get him.
Mohamed Bamba (Texas, C, Freshman)
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Projected draft range: Nos. 3-7
What you're getting: Defensive anchor
Teams looking to strengthen their defensive identity should already have Mohamed Bamba highlighted on their boards.
He's a good reason for the Cavaliers (No. 28 in defensive efficiency, per ESPN) to keep the pick.
No prospect has a higher defensive ceiling, thanks to his legendary 7'9" wingspan that's led to 4.3 blocks per game and the fourth-highest defensive plus-minus in the country, per Sports Reference.
Whoever drafts Bamba will ultimately force opponents to game-plan around his presence around the basket.
But we're starting to see more flashes of offensive development between his jumper and low-post game. Over Texas' last four games, Bamba has averaged 18.5 points and made four three-pointers and 24 of 28 free throws.
Teams interested in Bamba will still covet his rim protection and potential to turn a mediocre defensive unit into a good one. But if his 6'11", 225-pound frame begins to fill out and his jump shot starts to click, some franchise will land a unicorn.
Marvin Bagley III (Duke, PF/C, Freshman)
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Projected draft range: Nos. 3-6
What you're getting: Frontcourt energizer
Whoever drafts Marvin Bagley III will receive a lively injection of athleticism and energy. He's consistently overwhelmed front lines with his quick bounce and motor around the basket.
It may not take a top-three pick to grab him, either. Questions have started to arise about Bagley's defense and fit. He's leaning heavily on post-ups (23.9 percent) and putbacks (17.2 percent) for offense, as opposed to creating his shot and shooting face-up—skills he'll need to unlock his star potential.
But he's also just 18 years old and averages 21.4 points and 11.2 rebounds on 59.9 percent shooting, which includes going 17-of-48 from three. Bagley has flashed a little of everything, from a back-to-the-basket game and ball-handling to a floater and three-point range.
Between his tools, explosiveness, versatility and room to improve, the laws of upside suggest that Bagley's ceiling is monstrous.
Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri, SF/PF, Freshman)
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Projected draft range: Nos. 3-7
What you're getting: Scorer
Before Michael Porter Jr.'s season-ending injury, many scouts picked him to eventually go first in the draft. Now, his draft ceiling appears to be No. 3 (behind Ayton and Doncic) as long as the medical reports on his surgically repaired back look fine.
He could also slip to the middle of the 14 lottery picks, particularly with top prospects each performing at a high level.
A face-up scorer at 6'10", Porter intrigues with his size and shot-making, which mirrors combo forwards like Gordon Hayward, Brandon Ingram and Danilo Gallinari. Among the top 10 forwards and bigs, Porter stands out as the most polished in terms of creating offense for himself and converting out of spot-ups, isolation and post-ups.
The questions with Porter revolve around the rest of his game—whether he can create for teammates, defend at a high level and stay healthy. Using the Nets' pick on Porter ultimately means buying into his scoring potential in taking advantage of mismatches.
Mikal Bridges (Villanova, SF, Junior)
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Projected draft range: Nos. 6-12
What you're getting: Three-and-D wing
Any form of defender could help the Cavaliers, but every team in the league wants more three-and-D wings.
Mikal Bridges jumps out as the one to target in the 2018 draft. A highly-reputable defender, equipped with 7'1" length, quick feet and instincts, Bridges averages 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks guarding ball-handlers and forwards. And he's knocking down 2.4 threes per game at a 42.3 percent clip while shooting 45.5 percent on catch-and-shoot jumpers (91st percentile).
With only 4.0 percent of his offense coming on isolation plays, Bridges still scores 16.9 points per game while playing within the offense and taking mostly what the defense gives him as a spot shooter and transition weapon (17.4 percent of his offense).
He shouldn't have to make much of a role adjustment moving from Villanova to the pros.
However, Bridges has added to his repertoire this year, showing improved pick-and-roll ball-handling ability (8.3 percent of his offense, .852 PPP) and post offense (13 of 24).
We're starting to see more flashes of shot-creating, a development that could take Bridges from three-and-D role player to two-way star.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Michigan State, PF/C, Freshman)
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Projected draft range: Nos. 4-9
What you're getting: Stretch rim protector
Scouts are high on Jaren Jackson Jr.'s potential, which is fueled by his valuable mix of shooting and defense.
He's on the raw side, though, averaging just 11.4 points. Teams searching for offense and immediate help may want to look elsewhere. But at 18 years old, Jackson leads the NCAA in box plus-minus, registering a spectacular 15.4 block percentage (6.1 per 40 minutes) and converting 43.3 percent of his three-pointers.
The idea of Jackson makes perfect sense for the Cavaliers, who have bigs who can stretch the floor but not protect the rim. He'd also work for any other team that needs an upgrade at power forward or center. Standing 6'11", 242 pounds with a 7'4" wingspan, Jackson has the tools of an NBA center and the foot speed to guard forwards or switch onto wings.
Of all the prospects worth drafting in the top 10, he may take the longest to see offensive results from. But almost every team in the league could use an interchangeable three-and-D big man.
Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke, C, Freshman)
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Projected draft range: Nos. 7-12
What you're getting: Skilled rebounder
Already a standout under the scouting lens for his NBA-ready physical tools, Wendell Carter Jr. has distinguished himself with consistency and a refined skill set.
Scouts have compared him to interchangeable bigs like Al Horford and Elton Brand. In 26.7 minutes, Carter averages 14.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks on 61.3 percent shooting, beating teams with inside play, post offense and shooting touch.
He doesn't work off the dribble or explode off the floor, limitations that raise questions about Carter's ceiling. Unless the Cavaliers felt confident he was the best player available, he probably wouldn't be one of their targets, given their frontcourt depth and need for defense.
There will still be plenty of interest in Carter around the NBA. "He'll be better with more spacing in our league," said one executive, who referred to the 18-year-old as the "sleeper we all know about."
Collin Sexton (Alabama, PG, Freshman)
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Projected draft range: Nos. 6-12
What you're getting: Scorer
There will be executives around the league who like Collin Sexton purely for his toughness and killer instinct. A commanding presence, he brings a level of intensity to the floor that some coaches may covet as much as his scoring.
He's averaging 18.7 points, putting pressure on defenses out of pick-and-rolls (.928 PPP) and isolation (.922 PPP). His 7.3 free-throw attempts per game reflect his style—Sexton attacks the basket with speed and power.
There are holes, however. He's shooting 35.4 percent on jump shots in the half court, and he's only made three of 17 floaters. His 3.4-to-2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio also raises questions about his ability to facilitate and lead-guard potential.
The athletic 6'3", 190-pounder's tools, burst and production still scream "NBA." Teams looking for backcourt firepower and a sharper competitive edge can target Sexton at the back end of the lottery.
Stats courtesy of Synergy Sports unless otherwise noted.
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