Event 2018 NBA Draft

Jontay pulled out.

 

From what I can tell, these are almost a lock to be the first ten players picked (not necessarily in this order):

Deandre Ayton
Marvin Bagley III
Jaren Jackson Jr
Luka Doncic
Mo Bamba
Michael Porter Jr.
Trae Young
Wendell Carter Jr.
Mikal Bridges
Colin Sexton

Anyone disagree? If anyone breaks into that pack it looks like it'll be Miles Bridges.
People who know: whom among that ten is most likely to fall short of expectations? Explain your answer. Is Ayton David Robinson or could he be Michael Olowokandi?

 

Is there a worry that Porter's back surgery has permanently affected his game? Back surgery is no joke.

 

Ayton. I think the defensive concerns are real. Instincts can’t really be taught. I think he’s going to be a decent player, but I’m not a fan of centers that can’t protect the rim. If you’re expecting him to develop that defensive consistency/ability at the NBA level, you’re most likely going to be disappointed. Generally speaking, if it isn’t there in college, it won’t be there in the NBA. I’d take Bamba over him any day.

 

Bamba is the best player in this draft, and could fall to #6. Crazy.

 

Another guy I found who's extremely underrated: Shake Milton.

Although he's almost 22 years old, he's a guy worth going after, especially for us. He's a shade under 6'6, and has a wingspan over over 7ft. He was a 43% 3pt shooter at SMU, and is known as a very good defender. He can play either guard spot, score on all three levels, can rebound, as well as pass and make plays for others. He should probably be a top 20 pick, but will go in the 2nd round. He'll be a steal.

 

Pretty sure we had him in for a workout recently.

 

Good. Hed be a perfect 3rd guard for us. I don't know why he's projected so low.

 

What's crazy about the top of this draft is every big can shoot no matter what type of player they are:
All these guys can shoot 3s:
DeAndre Ayton - Low Post Brute
Marvin Bagley III - Athletic Offensive-Minded 4
Jaren Jackson Jr. - Athletic Rim Protecter
Mohamed Bamba - HUGE 7'1 Rim Protecter w/ a 7'10 wingspan
Wendell Carter - Skilled all-around PF/C

 

What's also crazy is how many Jr's and 3rd generation guys there are in this draft. Last year, it was a bunch of guys with Initialed names ("OG", "P.J.", etc.)

This year:
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Wendell Carter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr.
Gary Trent Jr.
Troy Brown Jr.
Bruce Brown Jr.

Kevin Knox II
Jacob Evans III
Robert Williams III
Lonnie Walker IV

And almost all of those guys are 1st round picks.

 

Such a strange observation lol

 

Have you seen all the work I've put in on my mock drafts? Lol. Spent too much time on that to not notice it.

 

I've seen some of it. Wasn't judging you, just thought it was a weird thing to point out heh.

 

Haha.

 

Yeah both 24 and 14 would be nice. It might move us up to 8 if Cleveland thinks they are starting over.

 

I think they'll prefer one very good/great talent than one mid-tier and one lower tier talent. The only pick in the top 10 I think we could get is the Knicks #9.

 

This guy makes an argument that Jaren Jackson is the most valuable big in the draft; I guess mostly because he is the only one who could guard on the perimeter.
https://www.sbnation.com/2018/6/10/17424660/2018-nba-draft-centers-lottery-ayton-bamba-bagley

 

He's a very complete player. Good defender, decent rebounder, can score inside and can hit a neat three.

I also like Carter, he can also shoot the ball pretty well but he's not as good defender on perimeter.

I hope Celtics don't find a way to move into the lottery and get Bamba or, God forbid, Jackson Jr.

 

Scott Bordow: McDonough confirms they’re at end of No. 1 workouts. Says Jackson doesn’t take back seat to any of those guys
– via Twitter sbordow

 

Roundup of mock drafts for Blazers: https://www.blazersedge.com/2018/6/...acob-evans-chandler-hutchison-anfernee-simons