2018 NBA Mock Draft: Predictions for Intriguing Prospects Pre-NCAA Championship
This year's NCAA men's basketball tournament has been filled with incredible moments fans will talk about for a lifetime, thanks mostly to the players.
And while there have been some phenomenal players to suit up in all of the games leading to Monday's championship meeting between Villanova and Michigan, the teams only have one potential lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft between them.
Still, a player doesn't have to be drafted early to become a great player in the Association.
Draymond Green, anyone?
Even if there are not any potential Defensive Player of the Year candidates late in the draft, there are players who could become steals (read: Dejounte Murray and Kyle Kuzma).
There are also those players who seem to virtually play their way into high draft positions with outstanding performances in the tourney. Players like Marvin Bagley III and Colin Sexton assured their places in the lottery by stepping into the spotlight of March Madness and delivering big time.
Here is a quick look at how the draft would play out if it were today.
2018 NBA Mock Draft
1. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona
2. Atlanta Hawks: Luka Doncic, SG/SF, Slovenia
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke
4. Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
5. Dallas Mavericks: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Michigan State
6. Sacramento Kings: Michael Porter, SF, Missouri
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Brooklyn): Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
8. Chicago Bulls: Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
9. New York Knicks: Wendell Carter Jr., PF/C, Duke
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova
11. Charlotte Hornets: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky
12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Detroit): Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M
13. Denver Nuggets: Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Michigan State
14. Los Angeles Clippers: Kevin Knox, SF/PF, Kentucky
15. Phoenix Suns (via Milwaukee): Zhaire Smith, PG/SG, Texas Tech
16. Phoenix Suns (via Miami): Dzanan Musa, SF, Bosnia and Herzegovina
17. Washington Wizards: Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Unattached
18. Utah Jazz: Daniel Gafford, PF/C, Arkansas
19. Atlanta Hawks (via Minnesota): Khyri Thomas, PG/SG, Creighton
20. Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans): Trevon Duval, PG, Duke
21. San Antonio Spurs: Mitchell Robinson, C, United States
22. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Oklahoma City): Troy Brown, PG/SG, Oregon
23. Indiana Pacers: Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri
24. Philadelphia 76ers: Chandler Hutchison, SG/SF, Boise State
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cleveland): Lonnie Walker, SG, Miami
26. Portland Trailblazers: Moritz Wagner, PF/C, Michigan
27. Boston Celtics: Gary Trent Jr., SG, Duke
28. Golden State Warriors: Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Toronto): Grayson Allen, SG, Duke
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston): Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State
Draft order based on NBA standings following Sunday's games.
DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona
The fact Arizona didn't make it out of the first round doesn't mean anything.
The No. 1 pick in this year's NBA Draft is still a no-brainer. You can't teach size, and DeAndre Ayton, at 7'0, 260 pounds, has plenty of it.
He's agile, athletic and explosive.
Oh, and he can straight up go out and get buckets.
Ayton's low point was Arizona's loss to Buffalo, where he only scored 14 points. But don't be fooled. That game was an aberration, and he still managed to grab 13 rebounds.
In an NBA era where the big man is becoming somewhat extinct, Ayton has the opportunity to impose his will on the low block. Based on his offensive prowess, he'll be a double-double machine right away and on his way to multiple All-Star appearances.
The only knock on Ayton is his defense. Defensive ability comes with dedication and will, something that actually can be taught.
Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova
Mikal Bridges and the Wildcats are playing for all the marbles tonight, but he'll be able to relish another big opportunity in June.
He's not LeBron James or Paul George, but that's not a huge loss because he's a lockdown defender with a 7'1 wingspan who can drill it from deep.
This year he averaged 17.6 points per game while shooting 43.5 percent from behind the arc.
If the Sixers get this kid, they'll add another piece to fortify their already impressive 97.3 defensive rating.
Moritz Wagner, PF/C, Michigan
Moritz Wagner is the modern NBA big man.
Teams want a center who can stretch the floor with a reliable outside shot, and Wagner fits the bill.
Wagner led the Wolverines with 14.6 points per game this season while shooting an impressive 39.7 percent on three balls.
With that kind of range, he can lure his defenders out of the paint and create space for elite guards like Portland's Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum to work their magic in the lane.
Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
Jalen Brunson is the consummate college point guard, and with the way he's led the Wildcats to the championship game, it shows.
But the knock on him for the next level has been his size and his athleticism.
None of that matters when a player has the high basketball I.Q. Brunson has. He's smart, he's efficient and he's a bonafide leader.
And if he joins a team like the Warriors, he'll continue to play the right way and build on his strengths under one of the best points guards in the league, who also had to battle the "not athletic enough" tags when he was entering the draft.
Brunson is money, and he'll prove that on Monday and beyond.
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