Busting Brackets
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NBA Draft 2018: Top 10 players that’ll have the best NBA careers

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Picks one through 30 are seen on the board at the conclusion of the first round during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks with the media after being drafted eleventh overall by the Charlotte Hornets during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks with the media after being drafted eleventh overall by the Charlotte Hornets during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

2. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Los Angeles Clippers

College: Kentucky

After losing Chris Paul in free agency to the Houston Rockets via trade, the Clippers were supposed to be closer to the top-10 draft selection than the playoffs. But thanks to sixth man extraordinaire Lou Williams, they made a shocking push for the postseason all the way through the year.

It was done despite the constant turnover at the point guard position. Patrick Beverly was injured most of the season, while Euro sensation Milos Teodosic went through injuries as well. With him already being 31 years old and Beverly being limited offensively, Los Angeles needed an upgrade.

In some ways, Gilgeous-Alexander could be a steal at No. 11 in a draft-day trade from Charlotte, as he started the ladder half of the season for Kentucky. He is a great athlete who makes his teammates better with his passing ability and is the most likely candidate to get a triple-double in the NBA on a regular basis.

Along with fellow first-round pick Jerome Robinson from Boston College, the Clippers appear to be avoiding having to go back to the bottom to rise again. This is without both Paul and Blake Griffin on the roster.

There are some moving parts for the team that will have to be dealt with this offseason (DeAndre Jordan). But unlike the other projected starting point guards in the lottery (Trae Young in Atlanta and Collin Sexton in Cleveland) Gilgeous-Alexander has the pieces around him to excel, on a potential playoff team.

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