NBA Mock Draft 2018: Projections for Where 1st-Round Prospects Will Land
Next week, 69 players are expected to attend the 2018 NBA Draft Combine at Chicago's Quest Multisport.
The combine, powered by Under Armour, is the first step for NBA hopefuls to showcase their candidacy for the draft.
The two-day event will feature individual strength and agility drills, in addition to five-on-five games for the prospects to highlight what they can do on the court.
While the projected top two picks, Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic, won't be in attendance, most of the other potential lottery picks, as well as those who are testing the waters, will be there.
This class will include versatile and dynamic players who are ready to contribute to a team right away and those that will require patience to develop.
ESPN 2 will provide coverage of both days—Thursday, May 17, and Friday, May 18, from 3-7 p.m. ET.
Here's a quick look at an updated mock draft just in time for the combine.
2018 NBA Mock Draft
1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Luka Doncic, SG, Slovenia
3. Dallas Mavericks: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke
4. Atlanta Hawks: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF. Michigan State
5. Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
6. Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter, PF/C, Duke
7. Sacramento Kings: Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Brooklyn): Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
9. New York Knicks: 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. San Antonio Spurs: Troy Brown, SG, Oregon
19. Atlanta Hawks (via Minnesota): Anfernee Simons, SG, Unattached
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Oklahoma City): Mitchell Robinson, C, United States
21. Utah Jazz: Chandler Hutchison, SF, Boise State
22. Chicago Bulls (via New Orleans): Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri
23. Indiana Pacers: Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State
24. Portland Trailblazers: Bruno Fernando, C, Maryland
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cleveland): De'Anthony Melton, G, USC
26. Philadelphia 76ers: Khyri Thomas, PG/SG, Creighton
27. Boston Celtics: Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA
28. Golden State Warriors: Donte DiVincenzo, SG, Villanova
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Toronto): Omari Spellman, PF, Villanova
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston): Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
Phoenix Suns
Let's face it, the Phoenix Suns are a complete mess.
They came in dead last in the standings at 21-61, but that doesn't even tell the whole story of their ineptitude.
The Suns had the worst defensive efficiency rating in the league at 110.6 and the worst offensive efficiency rating of any team at 100.8.
When a team can't score or defend, there's a huge problem.
And as they look towards the 2018-19 season, their star, Devin Booker, wants to compete or he's a goner.
So as new head coach Igor Kokoškov take over the reins, this team needs to look at the draft for impact players who will contribute immediately and help turn things around quickly.
One such player is Deandre Ayton.
Phoenix needs a center, but more than that, they need one who is NBA ready.
With his soaring athleticism, elite offensive arsenal and physicality, Ayton would team up with Booker well, especially in the pick-and-roll game.
That should help the team's offensive efficiency.
The Suns have another pick in the first round, so they'll likely look to shore up their defensive efficiency.
Enter Texas Tech's Zhaire Smith.
The 6'5" standout averaged 11.3 points, 5 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Red Raiders last year.
He's got some serious work to do on the offensive end, but Smith is a genuine lockdown defender. He's even good enough to be in contention for Defensive Player of the Year some time down the line.
In addition to his swarming defense, Smith is a great shot-blocker who is super athletic and a capable rebounder for a guard.
These two additions won't catapult Phoenix to the top of any lists, but it's a huge step in the right direction.
Atlanta Hawks
What can be said about the Atlanta Hawks?
For years, they've been the equivalent of fool's gold.
In 2015, they won a conference title with a franchise-best record of 60-22 and secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
After losing to LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, things quickly fell apart for the Hawks.
They went out in the first round of the playoffs that next season and this year, they fell to a 24-58 record and missed the postseason for the first time since 2007.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer is gone, and they are still searching for his replacement.
In the meantime, they have three first-round picks this year, so if they can get it right, it may mean their rebuild won't be as long as they thought.
For their first pick, they'll likely select Michigan State's Jaren Jackson Jr.
The 6'11" big man would be an ideal pairing with last year's pick, John Collins.
Jackson, who averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and three blocks per game for Ohio State last season, has an innate ability to protect the rim and has tremendous upside.
His length, size and lateral quickness make him a great defender on the low block as well as on the perimeter.
Their next selection should be Anfernee Simons.
He's coming into the draft with a little bit of mystery, but he's known for his quick first step, quick release and three-point shooting.
Simons is crafty and can easily blow by defenders, which is a trait a shooting guard with a point guard's body needs to be effective in the league.
Simons may not contribute right away, but he's worth this pick because of his tremendous upside.
The Hawks last pick will be Jalen Brunson.
Brunson might be selected last, but he's got the talent and poise of a lottery pick.
He'll bring a steadiness to Atlanta's offense behind the often unpredictable and sometimes out of control Dennis Schroder.
The National Player of the Year averaged 19.2 points and 4.7 assists for the National Champion Villanova Wildcats, and while he's not an elite athlete, he makes his teammates better and has the kind of steady leadership that Atlanta needs in droves.
Chicago Bulls
The 2017-18 season was the beginning of the big rebuild in Chicago, who finished with a 27-55 record and failed to make the playoffs.
Gone were Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and last year's heroes, Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade.
As they look to the future, they have two picks in this year's draft.
For the No. 6 pick, Chicago should select Wendell Carter.
This young, 6'10" big man would fit well with the youthful Bulls and pair well with Lauri Markkanen.
While a freshman at Duke, he averaged 13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per outing.
He's got a knack for rebounding the ball, is competitive and has a great inside-out game.
Carter has a lot of upside, and he'll get to explore that in Chicago with such a young core.
With the 22nd pick, the Bulls will likely select Jontay Porter.
Porter is a stretch 4 with the ability to knock down the long ball. He's a great passer and can play on the low block.
He's not explosive, but he's young and knows how to play the game. He's got room to grow, and Chicago will be a great place to do that.
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