2018 NBA Draft

[daoneandonly]

I think the top guys are as followed:

Ayton
Jackson Jr.
Bagley
Young
Bamba

Porter is obviously there if eh was healthy, but you don't mess with back issues, it's just scary. For Dallas, Young does not fit with DSJ and Bamba's lack of an offensive guy is risky, so any of those top 3 would be ideal.

I agree that those are the most dominant college players at the moment, but I just find it surprising that mock drafts and basketball fans have so many bigmen as their top picks. If you look at the past 3 drafts, the most successful players are mainly guys who are very skilled, usually kind of tall, can attack and shoot from the perimeter, defend multiple positions.

If we look at this years rookie class, some of the best players are probably: Mitchell, Simmons, Lauri, Tatum, Kuzma, Smith. Not all of them possess the aforementioned skills, Simmons can't even attempt shots, but he's excellent at everything else. Lauri can't really dribble but he's a knock down shooter etc.

Big men are actually unplayable at times, but a solid big man is always a nice franchise piece to have. If healthy, Porter would probably be the consensus No.1 pick. Imo he just seems to be the guy who possesses most of the tangible nba skills. But he might end up just participating in the draft workouts, signing a contract and then never playing a game for the rest of his life. You never know.

So in a wing based league there is a lack of wing talent in the draft. Guys like Knox and Bridges will still have a lot of skill development ahead of them to be become stars, Doncic is about as much of a risk as Porter.

Very good points all around, main reason why I prefer Jaren jackson jr as I think while he is a big man, he's more versatile and can do many things that does not require sitting him during key moments.

[doordoor123]

I really like Thomas Wilder. He has advanced moves, just needs to make his shots more consistently.

[blazeyo]

I love Aaron Holiday tbh. I think he can be a starter in this league.

Two-way player. Excellent defender, great shooter, high basketball IQ, knows how to run an offense, makes the correct pass and a competitor.

[CP War Hawks]

I was going to inquire about holiday. Had noticed his strong year, and of course his pedigree is a factor.

The next draft doesn't seem very deep, so he should probably wait.

[doordoor123]

Zhaire Smith should be a first round pick if he declares this year. Really like him.

[916fan]

Zhaire Smith should be a first round pick if he declares this year. Really like him.

I've only seen about 5 games of Texas Tech, but have watched some youtube vids of him. I like Smith, but I think he would really benefit from staying at least another year in college. Looks like a raw basketball player to me, but as NBA potential. Needs to get more consistent with his 3pt shot, his stroke isn't as good as the 41% indicates. He also lacks the ball skills for a guard. If the NBA evaluators advised Andrew Jones to go back to Texas last year, then they'd for sure tell Smith the same. Frank Jackson doesn't really compare much as a prospect, but he was another athletic freshman guard that ended up getting drafted 31st last year.

I don't think Smith goes in the 1st round this year because he's just so raw. If he stays an additional year and improves on nothing except his 3pt shot, then I think he goes late-lotto in next year's draft.

I definitely see the appeal in him, but he seems like a project.

[916fan]

I love Aaron Holiday tbh. I think he can be a starter in this league.

Two-way player. Excellent defender, great shooter, high basketball IQ, knows how to run an offense, makes the correct pass and a competitor.

I don't know that I see starter in the league. He's not a good enough penetrator right now. Undersized at only 6'1, and doesn't make it up with quickness or athleticism. Good 3pt shooter, but he needs more than that at the next level. His ball handling is just average. His passing is average. However, he is a high IQ player and plays really physical for his size.

Don't see him as a NBA starter, but backup maybe? Lack of quickness, ball handling, and penetration push me back.

[blazeyo]

I love Aaron Holiday tbh. I think he can be a starter in this league.

Two-way player. Excellent defender, great shooter, high basketball IQ, knows how to run an offense, makes the correct pass and a competitor.

I don't know that I see starter in the league. He's not a good enough penetrator right now. Undersized at only 6'1, and doesn't make it up with quickness or athleticism. Good 3pt shooter, but he needs more than that at the next level. His ball handling is just average. His passing is average. However, he is a high IQ player and plays really physical for his size.

Don't see him as a NBA starter, but backup maybe? Lack of quickness, ball handling, and penetration push me back.

Yeah... I see him too as a backup, but you never know. I like watching him play... plays with an edge and his 3pt shot is as legit as it gets. Consistent mechanics in spot ups and off the dribble, super compact as well.

[916fan]

I love Aaron Holiday tbh. I think he can be a starter in this league.

Two-way player. Excellent defender, great shooter, high basketball IQ, knows how to run an offense, makes the correct pass and a competitor.

I don't know that I see starter in the league. He's not a good enough penetrator right now. Undersized at only 6'1, and doesn't make it up with quickness or athleticism. Good 3pt shooter, but he needs more than that at the next level. His ball handling is just average. His passing is average. However, he is a high IQ player and plays really physical for his size.

Don't see him as a NBA starter, but backup maybe? Lack of quickness, ball handling, and penetration push me back.

Yeah... I see him too as a backup, but you never know. I like watching him play... plays with an edge and his 3pt shot is as legit as it gets. Consistent mechanics in spot ups and off the dribble, super compact as well.

I definitely see the appeal though. Pat-Bev type of player, but more scoring ability? I wonder if he declares this year or waits till next year's weaker draft.

[blazeyo]

I don't know that I see starter in the league. He's not a good enough penetrator right now. Undersized at only 6'1, and doesn't make it up with quickness or athleticism. Good 3pt shooter, but he needs more than that at the next level. His ball handling is just average. His passing is average. However, he is a high IQ player and plays really physical for his size.

Don't see him as a NBA starter, but backup maybe? Lack of quickness, ball handling, and penetration push me back.

Yeah... I see him too as a backup, but you never know. I like watching him play... plays with an edge and his 3pt shot is as legit as it gets. Consistent mechanics in spot ups and off the dribble, super compact as well.

I definitely see the appeal though. Pat-Bev type of player, but more scoring ability? I wonder if he declares this year or waits till next year's weaker draft.

I wanted to say Beverly, but something is missing there. He doesn't hound the bill like Beverly or plays the passing lanes the same way.

He plays more fundamental defense, moves his feet well, boxes out, contests shots... Kinda reminds me of a smaller Jerian Grant in the way he plays the game mixed with some Pat Beverly maybe. When I said a starter I meant exactly like how Beverly played in Houston... that's what I had in mind anyways.

[HeadtopChunes]

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[buzzkilloton]

New mock draft by Givony on ESPN

1. Phoenix - Doncic
2. Atlanta - Ayton
3. Sacramento - Bamba
4. Cleveland - Jaren Jackson JR
5. Orlando- Bagley
6. Chicago - Michael Porter JR
7. Memphis - Trae
8. Dallas - Wendell Carter

If Bagley goes to the magic hes 100% going to bust.

Jackson and Bamba for sure on the rise.

I wouldnt be surprised if the kings do a kangz thing and take Trae 3rd overall.

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

Mikal Bridges has been going off. What chyall think?

[Duke4life831]

Mikal Bridges has been going off. What chyall think?

Elite of the elite 3&D player I think is his ceiling. Of course there can be lightening in the bottle and he comes like Kawhi, but right now I don't see a guy that you would want to put too much faith into creating his own shot off the dribble.

I was a little hesitant with him as a prospect last year because I wasn't sure if his shooting was just a fluke or not. This year I think he has proved he is a legit shooter. I like him a lot.

[baldur]

New mock draft by Givony on ESPN

1. Phoenix - Doncic
2. Atlanta - Ayton
3. Sacramento - Bamba
4. Cleveland - Jaren Jackson JR
5. Orlando- Bagley
6. Chicago - Michael Porter JR
7. Memphis - Trae
8. Dallas - Wendell Carter

If Bagley goes to the magic hes 100% going to bust.

Jackson and Bamba for sure on the rise.

I wouldnt be surprised if the kings do a kangz thing and take Trae 3rd overall.

Dearon fox is their best player and trae young won't be the best player available - at least not by far-, if the Kings were to select the 3rd pick. They might as well select bamba or bagley or jaren Jackson. I got your point but they must be seriously stupid to do that.

[buzzkilloton]

New mock draft by Givony on ESPN

1. Phoenix - Doncic
2. Atlanta - Ayton
3. Sacramento - Bamba
4. Cleveland - Jaren Jackson JR
5. Orlando- Bagley
6. Chicago - Michael Porter JR
7. Memphis - Trae
8. Dallas - Wendell Carter

If Bagley goes to the magic hes 100% going to bust.

Jackson and Bamba for sure on the rise.

I wouldnt be surprised if the kings do a kangz thing and take Trae 3rd overall.

Dearon fox is their best player and trae young won't be the best player available - at least not by far-, if the Kings were to select the 3rd pick. They might as well select bamba or bagley or jaren Jackson. I got your point but they must be seriously stupid to do that.

Divac and Vivek man! I hope they do just for the huge LOL, Bamba or Jackson is obv the right pick for them!

[baldur]

New mock draft by Givony on ESPN

1. Phoenix - Doncic
2. Atlanta - Ayton
3. Sacramento - Bamba
4. Cleveland - Jaren Jackson JR
5. Orlando- Bagley
6. Chicago - Michael Porter JR
7. Memphis - Trae
8. Dallas - Wendell Carter

If Bagley goes to the magic hes 100% going to bust.

Jackson and Bamba for sure on the rise.

I wouldnt be surprised if the kings do a kangz thing and take Trae 3rd overall.

Dearon fox is their best player and trae young won't be the best player available - at least not by far-, if the Kings were to select the 3rd pick. They might as well select bamba or bagley or jaren Jackson. I got your point but they must be seriously stupid to do that.

Divac and Vivek man! I hope they do just for the huge LOL, Bamba or Jackson is obv the right pick for them!

If available, divac will pick luka doncic 100 percent. Their shortage at the wings are deeper than the guard and frontcourt if they rely on Giles and labissiere in the long run.

[buzzkilloton]

They'll have to pick #1 then because Doncic is going 1st. Hes the best prospect. He fits every team perfectly.

[doordoor123]

Zhaire Smith should be a first round pick if he declares this year. Really like him.

I've only seen about 5 games of Texas Tech, but have watched some youtube vids of him. I like Smith, but I think he would really benefit from staying at least another year in college. Looks like a raw basketball player to me, but as NBA potential. Needs to get more consistent with his 3pt shot, his stroke isn't as good as the 41% indicates. He also lacks the ball skills for a guard. If the NBA evaluators advised Andrew Jones to go back to Texas last year, then they'd for sure tell Smith the same. Frank Jackson doesn't really compare much as a prospect, but he was another athletic freshman guard that ended up getting drafted 31st last year.

I don't think Smith goes in the 1st round this year because he's just so raw. If he stays an additional year and improves on nothing except his 3pt shot, then I think he goes late-lotto in next year's draft.

I definitely see the appeal in him, but he seems like a project.

It makes no sense to take him first round next year when you can just take him first round this year. You can’t really look at his stats because recently hes been playing better. Really isn’t that raw, has advanced moves and I believe his jumper is enough.

I hate when scouts say they should be a first rounder next year, if a team believes they can be good players they’ll get picked this year in the first round. Look at Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker, Zach LaVine, Lucas Noguira, Bruno Caboclo, Josh Huestis, Terrance Ferguson (some not deserving of first round pick). Scouts just don’t want him to enter this year because they think there is enough talent in this draft. I don’t think so. I definitely think he would be a first round pick. Sure maybe one that will need some time developing, but there is enough upside and high floor there that he’s worth a first rounder.

[Ball4life32]

They'll have to pick #1 then because Doncic is going 1st. Hes the best prospect. He fits every team perfectly.

No he is not a lock to go #1