NBA Mock Draft 2018: Projections for Top Point Guard Prospects
The top few spots on the 2018 NBA draft board might not contain point guards, but there's still value to be had at the position in the first round.
Once the top frontcourt players like Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III get selected by teams at the top of the lottery positions, there should be a run on point guards.
The collection of floor generals in the draft class is top heavy, as a few starred in their lone collegiate seasons, while experienced point guards could be available at the back end of the first round.
Below is a closer look at the best point guards available for selection in June's draft, and what each brings to the table for their prospective suitors.
2018 1st-Round NBA Mock Draft
1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona
2. Memphis Grizzlies: Luka Doncic, SG/SF, Slovenia
3. Dallas Mavericks: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Michigan State
4. Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke
5. Orlando Magic: Wendell Carter, PF/C, Duke
6. Chicago Bulls: Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri
7. Sacramento Kings: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Brooklyn): Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
9. New York Knicks: Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Villanova
10. Philadelphia 76ers (from Los Angeles Lakers): Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
11. Charlotte Hornets: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky
12. Los Angeles Clippers (from Detroit): Miles Bridges, SG/SF, Michigan State
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Robert Williams, PF/C, Texas A&M
14. Denver Nuggets: Kevin Knox, SF/PF. Kentucky
15. Washington Wizards: Lonnie Walker, SG, Miami
16. Phoenix Suns (from Miami): Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Mitchell Robinson, C, United States
18. San Antonio Spurs: Dzanan Musa, SF, Bosnia and Herzegovina
19. Atlanta Hawks (from Minnesota): Anfernee Simons, PG/SG, Unattached
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City): Troy Brown, PG/SG, Oregon
21. Utah Jazz: Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri
22. Chicago Bulls (from New Orleans): Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA
23. Indiana Pacers: Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
24. Portland Trailblazers: Khyri Thomas, PG/SG, Creighton
25. Los Angeles Lakers (from Cleveland): Chandler Hutchison, SG/SF, Boise State
26. Philadelphia 76ers: Landry Shamet, PG/SG, Wichita State
27. Boston Celtics: Gary Trent Jr., SG, Duke
28. Golden State Warriors: Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State
29. Brooklyn Nets (from Toronto): Shake Milton, PG/SG, SMU
30. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston): Tony Carr, PG, Penn State
Projections for Top Point Guard Prospects
Trae Young
The last time we saw Trae Young, Oklahoma was on its way out of the NCAA men's basketball tournament in the first round.
The dynamic freshman playmaker garnered plenty of attention throughout the collegiate season, but he wasn't able to perform on the sport's biggest stage like other top prospects.
Regardless of who was on the hardwood with him, Young displayed better scoring and passing abilities than most players in this draft class.
Young averaged 27.4 points, 8.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game to catch the eye of professional scouts.
Although he won't be the top selection in the 2018 NBA draft, Young could go as high as No. 4 or No. 5 depending on how the May 15 lottery plays out.
He shouldn't drop further than No. 8, where Cleveland is currently slotted with Brooklyn's first-round pick, based on regular-season records.
If LeBron James leaves in the summer, Young would slot into the lineup as a distributor and developing shooter. Should James stay, Young would free up his responsibilities on the ball.
Sacramento could also be in play to take Young at No. 7.
Collin Sexton
The only point guard who appears to have a chance of being selected ahead of Young is Alabama's Collin Sexton.
If he doesn't, Sexton could be chosen shortly after the Oklahoma star in a short run on point guards in the later lottery positions.
Just like Young did in the Big 12, Sexton faced a test every night in conference play in the improving SEC.
Sexton and Missouri's Michael Porter could be picked before anyone from Kentucky, which is something we never thought would've seen happening a few years ago given the Wildcats' dominance in the SEC.
At Alabama, Sexton thrived on an up-and-coming squad coached by former NBA point guard Avery Johnson. In 33 games, the freshman averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
While his numbers aren't as impressive as Young's, Sexton should experience an uptick in assists in his rookie season.
A perfect team for Sexton, or any point guard, would be Eastern Conference semifinalists Philadelphia.
With a true point guard leading the offense, Ben Simmons would be able to focus more on his shot while still distributing on occasion.
If a team higher up in the lottery takes Young, the Kings or Cavaliers could go after Sexton, which may leave the Sixers with a tough decision to make regarding a pair of Kentucky players.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kentucky traditionally has players selected in the top portion of the lottery, but that may change this year.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of two Kentucky players expected to be taken in the first round alongside Kevin Knox, but they likely won't be considered top prospects.
Canada native Gilgeous-Alexander didn't put up ridiculous numbers like Young, and he wasn't a focal point of his team for the whole season like Sexton, but he came alive in the second half of the season.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished his only collegiate campaign with 10 consecutive games with double-digit points, which gives hope he can be a consistent performer at point guard.
However, there are two better prospects on the board, and Kentucky's below-average season could keep Gilgeous-Alexander waiting around after the top 10 picks are announced.
If Gilgeous-Alexander and Knox go outside of the first 10 selections, it would be the first time a Kentucky player hasn't been taken in the top 10 since 2009.
Aaron Holiday
The one point guard worth watching as the draft creeps closer is UCLA's Aaron Holiday, who might go higher than some expect because of his family's history in the NBA.
The 21-year-old is the younger brother of Jrue and Justin Holiday, both of whom carved out solid careers for themselves in the NBA. Jrue is currently with the New Orleans Pelicans, while Justin plays for the Bulls.
Given Holiday's pedigree and maturity from playing three seasons at UCLA may interest teams in the latter part of the first round.
Holiday drastically increased his totals in points and assists per game, as well as three-point percentage, during his junior year at UCLA.
Although he didn't receive a ton of national attention because of the Pac-12's down year, Holiday could end up being one of the steals of the draft.
If a playoff team or a side with multiple first-round picks swoops in for Holiday in the first round, he has the potential to be a contributor right away and improve the overall quality of his first NBA employer.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
Statistics obtained from Sports Reference.
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