NBA Draft 2018: Mock First Round Projections 1.0

12. LA Clippers (from Detroit): Wendell Carter, C

Competing in the shadow of freshman sensation Marvin Bagley, Carter has flown a bit under the radar as the draft approaches. Even so, his positioning will not be impacted.

The 259-pound center is a strong defender and rebounder who could improve in the post. For Los Angeles, he will be part of a long-term rebuild. The Clippers haven’t been bad enough to land some of the top players in any class, but they will need more players like Carter to be relevant again.

11. Charlotte: Kevin Knox, SF

It is definitely a down year for Kentucky given that their highest draftee does not fall inside the top ten overall. Even so, Knox is an elite player who Charlotte simply can not pass up.

The 18-year-old has NBA size and athleticism. The Hornets will certainly want to see an improvement shooting the ball throughout Knox’s first few seasons, but the former Wildcat possesses all of the physical abilities to be a force in the NBA.