NBA Draft Order 2018: Post-Lottery Selection List and Mock Draft Projections
We're one step closer to the 2018 NBA draft.
The draft order is now set after Tuesday's NBA draft lottery, with the Phoenix Suns winning the top pick and the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks rounding out the top three.
Below, we'll break down the order and provide a mock draft before analyzing a few of the top players available.
Draft Order and Projected Selections
1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona
2. Sacramento Kings: Luka Doncic, SG, Real Madrid
3. Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri
5. Dallas Mavericks: Jaren Jackson Jr., C, Michigan State
6. Orlando Magic: Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
7. Chicago Bulls: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets): Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
9. New York Knicks: Wendell Carter Jr., PF/C, Duke
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers): Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova
11. Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Michigan State
12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Pistons): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG, Kentucky
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Kevin Knox, SF/PF, Kentucky
14. Denver Nuggets: Dzanan Musa, SF, Cedevita
--- END OF LOTTERY ---
15. Washington Wizards: Mitchell Robinson, C
16. Phoenix Suns (via Heat): Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Anfernee Simons, SG, IMG Academy
18. San Antonio Spurs: Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M
19. Atlanta Hawks (via Timberwolves): Lonnie Walker, SG, Miami
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder): Aaron Holiday, PG, USC
21. Utah Jazz: Troy Brown, SF, Oregon
22. Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans): Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State
23. Indiana Pacers: Khyri Thomas, PG, Creighton
24. Portland Trail Blazers: Chandler Hutchison, SF, Boise State
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavaliers): Jontay Porter, C, Missouri
26. Philadelphia 76ers: De'Anthony Melton, SG, USC
27. Boston Celtics: Bruce Brown Jr., SG, Miami
28. Golden State Warriors: Jacob Evans, SG, Cincinnati
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Raptors): Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets): Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
Top Players
Barring a major surprise, the first pick will come down to Ayton or Doncic.
Ayton looks the part of a future All-Star center. He already has an NBA body, a ton of polish on offense and the potential to become a solid three-point shooter. If he develops as a rim protector, he could become a Joel Embiid-esque two-way star.
That sort of upside is hard to pass on.
But Doncic is equally impressive, albeit at a different position. His feel for the game and well-rounded offensive skill set make him the most decorated European prospect ever. He offers everything on offense: shooting, ball-handling, passing and high basketball IQ, proving in Europe—a far higher level of play than what Ayton faced at Arizona last season—just how NBA-ready he is.
The question with Doncic is whether his non-elite athleticism will limit his overall upside, especially on defense. But he's a plug-and-play starter for most teams in the NBA immediately, and it's hard to imagine him developing into anything less than a great player.
The next tier of players would appear to run about five deep, depending on whom you ask.
Jackson Jr. is intriguing because his elite rim protection and perimeter shooting at center fit the modern NBA to a T. He won't slip out of the top five.
Bagley dominated lesser athletes at Duke and is the best athlete among the big men in this draft. If he develops an average three-point shot, he'll be a three-level scoring threat and double-double machine. His lack of rim protection and overall defense is a concern, but he has the athleticism to develop in that area. Whether he has the instincts and desire to be a great defender remains to be seen.
Young is the draft's most explosive scorer after leading the nation in scoring and assists for Oklahoma this past season. He's a three-point threat and an excellent facilitator, though his shot selection and defense may give some teams pause. For a team looking to add a potentially game-changing point guard and three-point shooter, Young is worth the risk.
Like Jackson, Bamba is an elite defender and will make an instant impact in that regard in the NBA. He has the upside to win multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards. Unlike Jackson, Bamba isn't a great shooter, and his ceiling is somewhat capped by his limited ability on offense. Still, Bamba could become the next Rudy Gobert, making him a worthwhile gamble outside the top three.
Finally, Porter is the lottery's biggest enigma, as he played just three games this past season because of a back injury. Porter made his name in high school as an excellent offensive weapon and a smooth, three-level scorer with the size and length to rebound and defend with the right coaching. His injury concerns are sizable, though, and teams have limited tape at the college level to go off of when scouting him.
Considering he was a candidate to be the top overall pick in this draft before his back injury, however, it's hard to imagine him dropping far.
Beyond that, there may be a diamond in the rough lurking. Teams will be seeking out the next Donovan Mitchell, but while this year's draft class is excellent at the top, it doesn't appear to have the incredible depth of the class of 2017.
