It’s year 4 of Warriors vs. Cavs for the NBA Championship. While we wait for the NBA Finals to begin, I decided to do a 2018 NBA mock draft for round 1. Here’s how the 2018 NBA Draft should unfold:
2018 NBA Mock Draft – Round 1
1 – Phoenix Suns
It’s Devin Booker and nobody else. The Suns could use help everywhere on the court. With the top pick, they have to take the best available player.
The Pick – DeAndre Ayton (C- Arizona)
2 – Sacramento Kings
They could use a big guy who can score. Let De’Aaron Fox penetrate and set up a few easy baskets for this big.
The Pick – Marvin Bagley III (PF – Duke)
3 – Atlanta Hawks
With a pending Dennis Schroder trade, the Hawks could look for a guard here.
The Pick – Luca Doncic (SG – Slovenia)
4 – Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies could use a wing player who can score. They roll the dice that Michael Porter will be healthy and can get buckets.
The Pick – Michael Porter Jr. (SF – Missouri)
5 – Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs have a PG after last year’s lottery pick, Dennis Smith Jr. They could use a big to help replace Dirk Nowitski who’s going on his retirement tour this season.
The Pick – Mo Bamba (C – Texas)
6 – Orlando Magic
They need someone to help out Aaron Gordon. They go with the best scorer in this draft.
The Pick – Trae Young (PG – Oklahoma)
7 – Chicago Bulls
Lauri Markkanen looks like he has superstar potential. The Bulls should get some backcourt help.
The Pick – Collin Sexton (PG – Alabama)
8 – Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets)
This pick is so difficult to predict right now with LeBron’s impending free agency. If he stays, they probably look for a point guard. If he goes, they’ll take the best available player.
The Pick – Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF – Michigan State)
9 – New York Knicks
Porzingis is a star but is proving to be injury prone. David Fizdale is the new coach in NYC. The Knicks are building some young talent and hitting on this pick could push them toward the eight seed in a weak Eastern Conference.
The Pick – Mikal Bridges (SF – Villanova)
10 – Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)
The Sixers proved their contenders in the East but are still a ways away from being NBA Championship contenders. They need to add depth down low to improve.
The Pick – Wendell Carter Jr. (PF – Duke)
11 – Charlotte Hornets
Will Kemba Walker be traded? That’ll determine what the Hornets do with this pick. If he’s traded, they’ll have to find a scorer in this draft.
The Pick – Miles Bridges (SF – Michigan State)
12 – Los Angeles Clippers (via Pistons)
With back to back picks and potential roster moves including trading DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers could go many directions here.
The Pick – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – Kentucky)
13 – Los Angeles Clippers
They get the Jordan replacement here.
The Pick – Robert Williams (C – Texas A&M)
14 – Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets need depth. They’re a team that’s right on the cusp of the playoffs in the ultra competitive Western Conference. They’ve got to draft someone who can come off the bench and contribute right away.
The Pick – Kevin Knox (SF – Kentucky)
15 – Washington Wizards
The Wizards seem settled around the perimeter. A stretch 4 would be ideal here if they’re to become contenders in the East.
The Pick – Jontay Porter (PF – Missouri)
16 – Phoenix Suns (via Heat)
The Suns took DeAndre Ayton at the top of this mock.
17 – Milwaukee Bucks
The Greek Freak has Milwaukee ready to contend. He needs help though. The Bucks look for a wing and get someone who can play D and shoot the 3.
The Pick – Khyri Thomas (SG – Creighton)
18 – San Antonio Spurs
Will Kawhi Leonard be back? The Spurs will look for scoring just in case he doesn’t return.
The Pick – Lonnie Walker IV (SG – Miami)
19 – Atlanta Hawks (via Timberwolves)
Earlier in this mock, the Hawks draft Luca Doncic. The Hawks need to take the best player available here.
The Pick – Jalen Brunson (PG – Villanova)
20 – Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder)
The Timberwolves took strides forward this season. They need depth if they’re to challenge for a NBA Title.
The Pick – Troy Brown (SG – Oregon)
21 – Utah Jazz
Utah surprised this year as Donovan Mitchell became a star in his rookie season. As they found out in the playoffs against the Rockets, they need more firepower to challenge in the West.
The Pick – Aaron Holiday (PG – UCLA)
22 – Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans)
The Bulls took a PG earlier in this mock. They go for a guy who’s shooting up draftboards after filling the stat sheet in the NCAA Championship for ‘Nova.
The Pick – Donte DiVencenzo (SG – Villanova)
23 – Indiana Pacers
One of the biggest surprises in the NBA was the Pacers not just making the playoffs but taking the Cavs to game 7 in the first round. They know they’re just a player away from being contenders.
The Pick – Keita Bates Diop (SF – Ohio State)
24 – Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have one of the league’s best backcourts. They’ve got to improve their front court if they have any chance of contending in the West. They take a chance on a player who sat out his college season but he’s a 7 footer so he might be worth the risk at this spot in the draft.
The Pick – Mitchell Robinson (C – High School)
25 – Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavs)
The Lakers have a young nucleus but need more talent to try to make the playoffs.
The Pick – Gary Trent Jr. (SG – Duke)
26 – Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers took a big earlier in this mock. They’ll look for a shooter with the potential loss of J.J. Reddick to free agency.
The Pick – Grayson Allen (SG – Duke)
27 – Boston Celtics
The Celtics went to game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. This pick could be someone they look to develop as their won’t be much playing time available next season.
The Pick – Dzanan Musa (SF – Bosnia)
28 – Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets)
This is the Hawks third first round pick. They’ll go with a wing that can tighten up their D.
The Pick – Jacob Evans (SF – Cincinnati)
29 – Brooklyn Nets
The Nets just need talent. They can get a player who vastly improved during his only season in college.
The Pick – Zhaire Smith (SG – Texas Tech)
30 – Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are headed to their fourth straight NBA Finals. They’ve got the best starting 5 in the NBA but their bench could use a boost.
The Pick – Josh Okogie (SG – Georgia Tech)
The NBA Draft happens on June 21, 2018. Get NBA predictions and draft information from Sportsformulator.