NBA Mock Draft 2018: 1st-Round Projections and Stock Watch for Top Prospects
Potential players listed on this year's NBA mock draft boards can be a bit like securities on the stock market.
Certain names rise and fall based on team necessity, performance perceptions and, of course, long-term investment.
And don't forget about March Madness. Players like Kansas' Malik Newman and Michigan's Moritz Wagner saw their stock rise to the early second round with their play on the way up to and including the Final Four.
Some names are standing firm as the mock draft boards continue to churn, while others are losing perceived value by the minute.
Fortunately, this is a relatively strong class led by prospects like DeAndre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Marvin Bagley III and Michael Porter Jr.
Here's another quick look at a mock draft board, as well as a couple of players that are no longer considered common stocks.
2018 NBA Mock Draft
1. Phoenix Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C, Arizona
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Luka Doncic, SG, Slovenia
3. Dallas Mavericks: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF. Michigan State
4. Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke
5. Orlando Magic: Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri
6. Sacramento Kings: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
7. Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter, PF/C, Duke
8. New York Knicks: Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
9. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Brooklyn): Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M
11. Charlotte Hornets: Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky
12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Detroit): Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Michigan State
14. Denver Nuggets: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky
15. Washington Wizards: Lonnie Walker IV, SG, Miami
16. Phoenix Suns (via Miami): Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Dzanan Musa, SG, Bosnia and Herzegovina
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Minnesota): Mitchell Robinson, C, United States
19. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Oklahoma City): Troy Brown, SG, Oregon
20. San Antonio Spurs: Anfernee Simons, SG, Unattached
21. Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans): Chandler Hutchison, SF, Boise State
22. Indiana Pacers: Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri
23. Utah Jazz: Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland
24. Portland Trailblazers: Gary Trent, SG, Duke
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cleveland): Rawle Alkins, G, Arizona
26. Philadelphia 76ers: Khyri Thomas, PG/SG, Creighton
27. Boston Celtics: Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA
28. Golden State Warriors: Bruce Brown, G, Miami
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Toronto): Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston): Jerome Robinson, G, Boston College
Draft order based on NBA standings following Tuesday's games.
Notable Stock Risers
Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri
Everyone's talking about Michael Porter Jr., and rightfully so. He's an undeniable talent that deserves to go in the lottery, but more people should be talking about his younger brother, Jontay.
When older brother Michael was sidelined due to back surgery, 18-year old Jontay stepped up and showed out. While his stat line isn't eye-popping at 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, his potential is off the charts.
The 6'11, 240-pound big man can stick in from deep and is an excellent passer and ball handler for his size. That kind of big man can be invaluable down the road, just look at Denver's Nikola Jokic, who now has 15 career triple-doubles.
One of his highlight games was his brother's first game after returning from injury. He posted 20 points and eight rebounds, including 4-of-6 from behind the arc, in a 62-60 SEC tournament loss to Georgia.
Jontay did not hire an agent, so he could still return to Missouri, where his father, Michael Porter Sr., is an assistant coach.
If he remains in the draft, look for him to be a late first-round pick, possibly landing with the Pacers, who could really use a stretch-four with his potential.
Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland
Teams would do well to buy Bruno Fernando now before everyone learns just how good he can be.
The 6'10 big man with a 7'4 wingspan is relentless down on the block, contesting and blocking shots as if his life depended on it. He plays hard, runs hard and has no problem finishing at the rim.
He's not yet polished on the offensive end, but that can be forgiven since his role on that end of the floor was a work in progress.
Fernando's numbers didn't leap from the stat sheet, but 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per outing as a freshman are respectable numbers.
And his breakout game against Iowa, where he finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and two huge put-back dunks, really showed what this kid can do.
The freshman from Angola has the athletic tools and physicality that make most scouts drool. He's still raw, but his upside more than warrants a pick in the 20 to 25 range.
Utah would be a great home for the 19-year old to develop and learn to patrol the middle from big men like Rudy Gobert.
Fernando also did not hire an agent, so he could return to College Park, but with his natural gifts, teams will definitely try to make him stay in the draft.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
