The 2018 NBA Draft is nearly upon us. Here is our look at how the 60 picks might unfold and where former college stars may end up playing next season.
The NBA Draft is always one of my favorite days of the year. As a college basketball fan, it is enjoyable to see some of the stars of the game take the next step in their young basketball careers. As an NBA fan, it is exciting to see the future of the league (and your favorite team) announced on draft night. The lead up, the fallout, and everything about the NBA Draft makes it the spectacle that it is.
With only 60 picks, this one-night event is exactly that…an event. Every team, regardless of whether or not they have a pick at all, is involved in one way or another and there are bound to be surprises at just about every turn. Even when the lottery is over, there are still important picks to be made. As we have seen time and time again in the past few years, each draft class seems to feature a top-notch second-round pick or two.
WHAT: 2018 NBA Draft
WHEN: June 21st at 7:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
TV: ESPN and WatchESPN
With just under a month to go until the actual draft night, mock drafts are being released from various outlets daily. From a college basketball site perspective, NBA Mock Drafts give us a look at where our former favorite players may be continuing their careers in the future. Now, without any further ado, let’s jump into my 2018 NBA Mock Draft.
(All statistics found in this article are via Sports-Reference.)
1. Phoenix Suns – C DeAndre Ayton, Arizona
The most physically dominant player in college basketball last season, DeAndre Ayton is a solid choice with the top pick in the draft. He boasts an NBA-ready body as a seven-footer with incredible strength. Ayton is also an excellent athlete who finishes well around the basket. He dropped in 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game while being named the Pac-12 Player of the Year in his only collegiate season.
The upside with Ayton is tremendous. He has all of the physical tools to be an elite defender even though there were very few flashes of this at the college level. In addition, his jump shot is developing, showing the possibility of Ayton becoming a threat offensively both inside and out. He is currently the favorite to go No. 1 overall and his impact should be felt in Phoenix right away. Along with Devin Booker, Ayton will be a building block for the Suns.
2. Sacramento Kings – F Marvin Bagley III, Duke
Considering Sacramento’s rebuild still has a long way to go, there are plenty of options with this pick. While many may consider Luka Doncic to be the second-best prospect in this class, the Kings already have a young primary ball handler on their roster in De’Aaron Fox. Given this, adding an athletic and skilled big man like Bagley for Fox to run the PnR with might make sense.
One of the best players in college hoops last season, Bagley is a dominant offensive force who can score from anywhere on the floor. He averaged 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this past season while impressing scouts with his 39.7% shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. This is a tantalizing big man who should be able to be an impact scorer right away.
3. Atlanta Hawks – G Luka Doncic, International
And now Doncic is off the board. Many NBA Draft experts believe that Luka Doncic will be the best player from this class so it would be a major surprise to everyone if he slipped out of the top three. One of the best international young players in recent memory, Doncic already has a polished skill set. He has excellent size at 6-foot-8 and has one of the more diverse skill sets in this draft. Despite having the height and build of a wing player, Doncic is a remarkable playmaker who is at his best with the ball in his hands.
Without question, Doncic has the best overall basketball resume in this draft considering his play overseas. He has a reliable jump shot and can score in a variety of ways. Considering he is not a true point guard, he would fit best alongside another quality guard, preferably one who attacks the basket well. With Dennis Schroeder already in Atlanta, Doncic would be an excellent fit.
4. Memphis Grizzlies – C Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State
Welcome to the world of rebuilding, Memphis. After years as one of the better teams in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies finally took a major dip in quality this past season. Thankfully, they have a top-5 pick in the draft and that could drastically speed up the rebuilding process. With the top three players off the board, Jackson represents the most versatile player remaining. Even though he only averaged a touch over 10 points per game for Michigan State this past season, his potential is primed to be tapped into.
There are very few players at 6-foot-10 who are capable of both averaging three blocks per game at the college level while also hitting from 3-point land at a 39.6% clip (2.7 3PA per game). Yet, that is exactly what Jackson was able to do this past season. He is a young player with a high motor and would have the opportunity to grow next to or behind Marc Gasol as a rookie. Not exactly a bad mentor and he will get immediate playing time no matter what.
5. Dallas Mavericks – C Mohamed Bamba, Texas
Elite defensive players come at a premium in the NBA. With this being said, the defensive upside of Mo Bamba definitely makes him worthy of a top-5 pick. Obviously, the Nerlens Noel project in Dallas did not work out so starting fresh with Bamba would make a ton of sense. Everybody knows how impactful Bamba can be on the defensive end of the floor with his elite length and shot-blocking instincts but he is no slouch on offense, either.
I am a huge fan of Bamba’s game and his 12.9 points per game on 60.3% shooting inside the 3-point arc were better than some other bigs in this draft. Although he did make 14 3-pointers this past season, these were on just 27.5% shooting and he does not seem to project as a deep threat in the future. Regardless of what you think about Bamba’s offense, though, his defensive floor might the highest of anyone in this draft.
6. Orlando Magic – G Trae Young, Oklahoma
Whoever drafts Trae Young is going to be getting a walking headline for next season. One of the biggest stories in college basketball this last year, Young has drawn comparisons to NBA superstar Stephen Curry as well as NBA bust Jimmer Fredette. Young’s draft stock fell off a bit after teams seemed to figure him out in Big 12 play but you cannot simply gloss over the fact that he averaged 27.4 points and 8.1 assists per game in arguably the best conference in the country.
He is a tad undersized at 6-foot-1 but that has not stopped other point guards in the past. Considering Orlando has a huge need at point guard, this fit makes sense. D.J. Augustin and Shelvin Mack were the only two point guards on the roster at the end of this past season, meaning there is plenty of room for this highlight reel guard.
7. Chicago Bulls – F Michael Porter Jr., Missouri
This is a high-risk, high-reward pick. Michael Porter Jr. was projected to be a guaranteed top-5 pick prior to this past season. However, after missing most of the year due to injury, his stock has taken a significant hit. If Porter stays healthy, though, he could go down as a steal at the No. 7 overall pick. He is a smooth ball handler and scorer who should put up points immediately in the NBA. He can fill up the basket from basically anywhere on the floor, a dangerous skill for a player with his 6-foot-10 size.
Porter’s question marks center around more than just his injury, though. Even before the injury, scouts were not sold on his playmaking or defensive abilities. These worries did not go away during his lone college season as he was unable to show too much due to his injury. Chicago is in the midst of a rebuild and adding a potential offensive superstar could speed up this process.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers – F Mikal Bridges, Villanova
Regardless of whether or not LeBron James stays in Cleveland this offseason, Mikal Bridges would be an excellent selection. 3-and-D players in the NBA are extremely valuable and Bridges fits this mold perfectly. He is a highly-efficient scorer who strokes the ball extremely well from deep. In addition, he was one of the best wing defenders in college basketball last season.
Bridges was a major reason why Villanova was the best team in the nation in 2017-18 and he is almost a lock to be at least a solid NBA player. Of all the potential lottery picks in this draft, Bridges might have the best floor as a future rotation player. He brings the perfect skill set to the professional game and is still growing as a player.
9. New York Knicks – G Collin Sexton, Alabama
The Knicks desperately need to add shooting this offseason. As a team, they shot just 35.2% from distance this past season, a mark that ranked 27th in the league. While Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. are both capable scorers and shooters, the team needs more firepower on the offensive end of the floor. This is where Alabama guard Collin Sexton comes in. During his lone college season, Sexton was an offensive superstar. He averaged 19.2 points per game and showed flashes of being unstoppable.
In my opinion, last year’s first-round pick Frank Ntilikina is best suited as a point guard. This means that Sexton could slide into a rotation role either off the bench or as a starter in the off-guard position. With Ntilikina as a defensive-minded guard, Sexton could be the offensive option in that potential dynamic backcourt.
10. Philadelphia 76ers – F Wendell Carter, Duke
Wendell Carter might not jump off of the page as an elite NBA prospect but he brings two incredibly valuable skills to the next level. First of all, he is an effective rebounder. Despite playing in the same frontcourt as Marvin Bagley, Carter was still able to secure 9.1 rebounds per game last season. In addition, he fits the mold of a versatile big in that he stretched the floor well. Even though he only attempted 46 3-pointers on the season, he buried 19 of them (41.3%). The more important factor than just his percentage, though, was that his form was sound and consistent.
Joel Embiid is the clear star big man moving forward for the 76ers. However, he is a true center. If this is how the draft plays out through nine picks, I believe that Carter is the best player on the board and could slide into the power forward role either in front or behind Dario Saric in the rotation.
11. Charlotte Hornets – F Miles Bridges, Michigan State
Just about every team in the NBA can use more wings and the Hornets are no different. Charlotte missed the NBA Playoffs this past season but it seems like there is enough talent on the roster to at least make a run at the postseason next year. While both Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are solid options on the wing, there is not much depth behind them. This is where the uber-athletic Miles Bridges can come in.
As a sophomore this past season, the six-foot-seven Bridges averaged 17.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. While Bridges was definitely a solid college player, the worry about him coming into the NBA is his general lack of improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 at the college level. It seems like there is still room for his game to grow but that did not happen much under Tom Izzo.
12. Los Angeles Clippers – G Lonnie Walker, Miami
The Clippers are a major wild card in this draft, in my opinion. Their roster construction does not leave a ton of returning players next season and their rebuild does not have much of a focus at this point. This is why I believe they could swing for the fences at the No. 12 spot. Walker has steadily climbed up the draft boards since the end of the college season and has tremendously high upside.
As a freshman for Miami, Walker averaged 11.5 points per game on 41.5% shooting from the field. It is important to note, though, that this season came on the heels of him recovering from a meniscus tear over the summer. He has solid size, a good shooting form, and projects well at the next level.
13. Los Angeles Clippers – F Robert Williams, Texas A&M
Now that the Clippers have already selected Walker, I have them taking another high-upside pick with their next pick. Robert Williams had a somewhat disappointing season compared to his preseason expectations this last year but don’t let that blind you. Williams was not a tremendous fit in the Aggies’ system and therefore was unable to play to his potential in my opinion. Nonetheless, he was able to average 10.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.
He is a high-energy forward who has incredible shot-blocking instincts. He might not be a good shooter but he finishes well around the rim and is an imposing force inside with his well-built frame. If Williams ends up developing a stronger offensive game, then there is no reason why he cannot be a starter for a long time.
14. Denver Nuggets – F Kevin Knox, Kentucky
With Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, Denver seems set in the backcourt. In the frontcourt, rising star Nikola Jokic has a stronghold on the starting center spot while Paul Millsap holds down the power forward slot. With the final pick in the lottery, finding another wing of the future makes sense. The Nuggets are a young team that is quickly getting better. With this being said, it will be interesting to see when the front office decides it is time to either explore free agency or the trade market to find more stars. That is why it is possible that this pick will not be made by Denver.
If it is, though, Kevin Knox would be a solid choice to add on the wing. He is one of the youngest players in the entire class and is coming off of a season in which he averaged 15.6 points per game for the star-studded Wildcats. Kentucky players have fared well in the pros as of late so why not try again?
15. Washington Wizards – G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky
I know that the Wizards already have John Wall and Bradley Beal in the backcourt. However, they will have very little flexibility during free agency this offseason. In order to get better without signing top-tier free agents, they will need to find an immediate impact player in this draft. This is where versatile guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could potentially fit.
He would not be a starter for Washington as a rookie but he doesn’t have to be. If he is able to play quality minutes off the bench then that will definitely improve the depth of this team. Although not a deadly shooter, Gilgeous-Alexander is capable of making the open jumper and he is also a solid facilitator. Given his lanky 6-foot-6 frame as a guard, the ceiling is high here.
16. Phoenix Suns – G Aaron Holiday, UCLA
After passing on Luka Doncic to take DeAndre Ayton earlier in this mock draft, the Phoenix Suns are still in need of a primary playmaker on the roster. Devin Booker and now Ayton are clear building blocks but who is going to get them the ball? Elfrid Payton might not be in Phoenix much longer so the team taking a shot on a point guard just out of the lottery makes sense.
In this case, the best available point guard is UCLA’s Aaron Holiday. After playing in the shadow of Lonzo Ball two years ago, Holiday exploded as the focal point of the Bruins this past season. He averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists per game on the year. Let’s not forget that after three years of college ball, Holiday shot a combined 180-for-427 (42.2%) from 3-point range. That is pretty darn good.
17. Milwaukee Bucks – G Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova
It is no secret that the Bucks need more shooting. With Giannis Antetokounmpo running the show, it makes logical sense to play plenty of shooters around him on the perimeter. Most notably, Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon are 3-point snipers that see plenty of minutes. Milwaukee’s current roster construction boasts plenty of athletes with excellent size who are capable defenders. Adding guard Donte DiVincenzo would continue that trend while also adding another shooter to the rotation.
As it stands, the only true rotation-worthy wings on this roster are Tony Snell, Khris Middleton, and Sterling Brown (who barely played as a rookie). I would be surprised if the team did not select a wing with the No. 17 pick and a versatile and proven winner like DiVincenzo would make sense. Considering he was the sixth man throughout his two years at Villanova, the “Michael Jordan of Delaware” would have no trouble coming off of the bench in Milwaukee.
18. San Antonio Spurs – F Kevin Huerter, Maryland
Kevin Huerter has soared up draft boards since electing to remain in the NBA Draft. He had a solid sophomore campaign with Maryland but represents an intriguing prospect for the next level. Huerter has an excellent 3-point stroke and plenty of range to extend to the NBA line. In addition, he boasts above-average size and was excellent at the NBA Combine.
Naturally, this is the type of player who fall right into the lap of Coach Pop and the Spurs before they turn him into an elite rotation player by the end of his second season. Yes, I am being sarcastic but would anyone really be surprised? This is the highest the Spurs have picked in the draft in a long time and you can be sure the front office has done their homework.
19. Atlanta Hawks – G Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech
Shoot for the stars, Atlanta. Zhaire Smith is one of the most intriguing players in this draft class due to the unknowns that surround him. He is ridiculously athletic and uses that to his advantage constantly. Smith was more than just a pleasant surprise for the Red Raiders in his time with the program as he developed into a star next to Keenan Evans.
At the next level, his raw athleticism will give him a leg up on many of his peers. Yet, it will possibly take a few years before he is a truly impactful starter in the league. Nonetheless, with a good player development program, Smith could be a steal if he slips down to No. 19 in this draft.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves – F Keita Bates-Diop, Ohio State
The Timberwolves are already a playoff team but they aren’t contending. With this being said, the team could easily go in the direction of the player that can help them win right away the most. If this is the case, Keita Bates-Diop is their guy. As a junior for Ohio State this past season, Bates-Diop was unreal. He can score from all three levels and has great size to play on the wing.
In addition, his solid defensive play might guarantee him a spot in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation. The ceiling on Bates-Diop might be shorter than some of his peers but he can make an immediate impact. He has proved himself to be a go-to player in a major conference already so spending a non-lottery first-round pick on him seems reasonable.
21. Utah Jazz – F Troy Brown, Oregon
Troy Brown is an interesting NBA prospect due to his ability to basically do it all. He is an unselfish player who passes the ball but is also unafraid to look for his own shot. While his skill level can still be increased, he really understands the team aspect of the game and tries to impact each contest in many ways. While playing for Oregon this past season, he averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Considering he stands at 6-foot-7 and is only 18 years old, he is a high-ceiling player.
As far as how he will fit alongside rising star Donovan Mitchell, their skill sets balance each other fairly well. While Mitchell can be the go-to scorer on the wing, Brown can do his fair share of attacking and creation. If Brown, though, is able to become an efficient shooter from beyond the arc, then he can become a high-value player at this point in the draft.
22. Chicago Bulls – F Chandler Hutchison, Boise State
At 22 years old, Hutchison is one of the oldest players that is expected to go in the first round of the draft. Despite playing for Boise State (a non-Power-6 program), Hutchison consistently exceeded his expectations on campus. He was an elite college player and his skill set should translate fairly well. He played well at the NBA Combine while flashing his all-around game. Unlike some other top-notch scoring wings in this class, Hutchison is also effective on the glass. As a senior for the Broncos this past season, he averaged 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Specifically in the form of Denzel Valentine, the Bulls have experience in selecting players who proved themselves in several collegiate seasons. Hutchison fits that mold and he would also add some much-needed rebounding and attacking to the wing.
23. Indiana Pacers – G Khyri Thomas, Creighton
One of the best 3-and-D prospects in this draft, the awesome thing about Khyri Thomas is that his defensive floor is remarkably high. He was the best perimeter defender in the Big East over the last couple of seasons and that meant matching up with some of the top scorers in the conference. While he might not have incredible size, he uses his quickness and athleticism to stay with most guards and some wings. He is already 22 years if age but showed that he is already talented enough to make an impact in the NBA. He averaged 15.1 points per game while shooting 41.1% from distance and playing excellent defense this past season.
The Pacers had a surprisingly good year in 2017-18 and adding an immediate piece such as Thomas could push them into the second round. Remember, this team came just one win away from knocking off LeBron James and the Cavaliers. With Victor Oladipo playing an All-Star level, Indiana doesn’t necessarily need to swing for the fences with this pick.
24. Portland Trail Blazers – F Dzanan Musa, International
For only being 18 years old, Dzanan Musa is a polished scorer. He understands when to pick his spots and does an excellent job off the dribble. He has a very effective pull-up game and shoots the ball well overall. While his height seems like it will be an advantage on the wing at 6-foot-9, he weighs in at just 185 pounds, backing up the idea of his thin frame. In order for him to reach his full potential, he will need to get much stronger
Even though the Trail Blazers already have two incredible scorers in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the team needs more scoring on the wing. Musa can at least provide a bit of a scoring punch early in his career as he continues to develop his size and playmaking abilities.
25. Los Angeles Lakers – G De’Anthony Melton, USC
Even though he sat out this past season, De’Anthony Melton has surprised people with his workouts leading up to the NBA Draft. In his last season of college ball (2016-17), we saw Melton have a solid season as an athletic playmaker for a well-balanced USC Trojans team. He averaged 8.3 points and 3.5 assists per game during that season. Yet, he is a whole year removed from that season and has significantly improved his game, especially from a shooting standpoint.
With a more consistent shot, Melton will have an easier time penetrating the lane and therefore creating more opportunities for himself and his teammates. The Lakers could use another guard on the roster to develop alongside or behind Lonzo Ball. Adding a defensive-minded guard like Melton would complement Ball’s skill set well and could provide a solid guard duo for L.A.
26. Philadelphia 76ers – G Bruce Brown, Miami
With a 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame, Bruce Brown has an NBA-ready body. He used this to his advantage on countless occasions during this past season with Miami, especially on the glass. There are simply not that many guards who are able to secure the 7.4 rebounds per game that Brown was able to average. Overall, Brown is not extremely polished as a player but he showed flashes of what he may develop into. An all-around combo guard, Brown averaged 11.4 points and 4.0 assists per game to go with his boards.
After selecting Wendell Carter earlier in this Mock Draft, the 76ers locked up another big man. With this pick, I would expect the front office to look towards adding a guard or wing to the rotation. Even though Brown might be a year or two away from being a significant contributor in multiple facets of the game, his athleticism, rebounding, and playmaking would be welcomed in Philly.
27. Boston Celtics – G Elie Okobo, International
Do the Celtics really need an immediate impact player right now? They were just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals this past season and that was without the services of Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving. With both of these players coming back from injury and the possibility of LeBron James moving West, Boston is likely to be the clear favorite in the Eastern Conference next season. Because of that, securing a long-term project like Elie Okobo at this point in the draft would be a great move, in my opinion. Although it hasn’t caught up to them yet, cap space will eventually be a problem so piling up players that they have contract control over for several years makes sense.
In regards to Okobo, specifically, he strikes me as a draft-and-stash first round option. He is already a solid shooter and playmaker at this stage in his career but there is room for improvement on the defensive end of the floor. He strikes me as a future 3-and-D guard in the league who also could be an above-average playmaker. In order for this to happen, though, he will need to work on becoming a better catch-and-shoot player as well as being less turnover-prone.
28. Golden State Warriors – G Jerome Robinson, Boston College
I know that the Warriors don’t need any help when it comes to roster decisions but this strikes me as a really good fit. When looking at the team’s current rotation, the only starting position with any sort of weakness is center and the team seemed to figure out the future of that slot with the selection of Jordan Bell last year. This means that the only realistic selections here would be an immediate impact bench player or a draft-and-stash option. With Jerome Robinson, Golden State would be getting a high-volume scorer who is one of the best 3-point shooters in this draft class. As if the Warriors need any more shooting, am I right? Robinson averaged 20.7 points per game this past season while shooting 40.9% from three. He might never be a starter in the league but he could be a longtime sixth man on a variety of good teams.
What makes Robinson unique as a shooter is that he does the majority of his damage on the move. Rather than spotting up on the wing or in the corners, most of Robinson’s 3-pointers either came off the dribble or after running around multiple screens. It is this idea of his overall movement within an offense that makes him an enticing NBA shooting prospect. Any decent shooter can consistently hit standing open threes but can they operate within the flow of the game and work to get a good look? Robinson can.
29. Brooklyn Nets – G Anfernee Simons, High School
The Nets are in the midst of a rebuild and they once again have to settle for a late first-round pick. Because of this, all of the “can’t miss prospects” are already off the board. This does not mean, though, that there are not plenty of other high-upside options still left on the board. I considered Mitchell Robinson at this pick in the draft but passed on him due to the presence of Jarrett Allen already on the Nets’ roster. This pushed me in the direction of another player who never donned a college uniform. Anfernee Simons elected to forgo his college career and enter the NBA Draft out of high school. He is an explosive athlete and a gifted scorer for such a young player. He can score at all three levels and is developing as a playmaker.
As of right now, though, he might be the most raw player in the draft. Because of this, I would be surprised if Simons played any NBA minutes in the next two seasons. This strikes me as a low-risk-high-reward pick this late in the first round. Simons will likely spend the next couple of years in the G-League before potentially developing into something special. It would be betting on development but that is worth the pick at this stage in the game. The worry with this tactic, though, is that picks like this rarely pan out. Will Simons change that?
30. Atlanta Hawks – G Jalen Brunson, Villanova
Is Jalen Brunson super athletic? No. Does he have tremendous size? No. Is he a youngster that is clearly oozing with potential? No. Regardless of these answers, Jalen Brunson right now has the highest floor of anyone in the draft. How his game translates to the NBA remains to be seen but this man won the National Player of the Year Award while being the unquestioned leader on the best team in the country last season. That has to count for something.
Brunson knows how to operate an offense, can score both inside and out, and brings an old school style to the table. The art of the post-up is dying for big men who need to be more versatile but could see a resurgence among guards. Brunson was one of the best post players in college hoops last season despite playing point guard. NBA defenses might not be accustomed to guards having the unique post skills of Brunson and that could lead him to carving out his own niche. I am rather high on Brunson’s potential to have a long NBA career and the Hawks shouldn’t pass up on the best player left on the board if this is the case.
Second Round Projections
Without any in-depth breakdown, here are my projections for the second-round of the NBA Draft.
31. Phoenix Suns – F Jacob Evans, Cincinnati
32. Memphis Grizzlies – G Josh Okogie, Georgia Tech
33. Dallas Mavericks – G Jevon Carter, West Virginia
34. Atlanta Hawks – C Mitchell Robinson
35. Orlando Magic – F Omari Spellman, Villanova
36. New York Knicks – G Melvin Frazier, Tulane
37. Sacramento Kings – G Grayson Allen, Duke
38. Philadelphia 76ers – G Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky
39. Los Angeles Lakers (via Philadelphia on June 20) – G Gary Trent Jr., Duke
40. Brooklyn Nets – F Moritz Wagner, Michigan
41. Orlando Magic – G Shake Milton, SMU
42. Detroit Pistons – G Rawle Alkins, Arizona
43. Denver Nuggets – F Rodions Kurucs, International
44. Washington Wizards – F Kevin Hervey, UT-Arlington
45. Brooklyn Nets – F Jarred Vanderbilt, Kentucky
46. Houston Rockets – G Tony Carr, Penn State
47. Los Angeles Lakers – C Chimezie Metu, UCLA
48. Minnesota Timberwolves – G Landry Shamet, Wichita State
49. San Antonio Spurs – F Justin Jackson, Maryland
50. Indiana Pacers – F Kelan Martin, Butler
51. New Orleans Pelicans – C Brandon McCoy, UNLV
52. Utah Jazz – F Kenrich Williams, TCU
53. Oklahoma City Thunder – G Devonte’ Graham, Kansas
54. Dallas Mavericks – G Trevon Duval, Duke
55. Charlotte Hornets – G Devon Hall, Virginia
56. Philadelphia 76ers – F Isaac Bonga, International
57. Oklahoma City Thunder – G Malik Newman, Kansas
58. Denver Nuggets – F Kostas Antetokounmpo, Dayton
59. Phoenix Suns – F Svi Mykhailiuk, Kansas
60. Philadelphia 76ers – F Theo Pinson, North Carolina
Next: Updated preseason top-25
That concludes my 2018 NBA Mock Draft. There are still plenty of things that could shift up the order in the coming weeks and who knows which players each team is eyeing most closely. I hope you all enjoyed this piece and are looking forward to June 21.