2018 NBA Draft Preview/Mock & Big Board
New York Knicks
With the 9th pick in the draft, expect the Knicks to go with the best player available. It’s hard to predict who will be available at that point as this is one of the most fluid drafts in a while. Either way, be assured, there will be a very good player available for Scott Perry and the Knicks. When the Knicks are on the clock, I believe the three players they’ll be choosing between will be Kevin Knox, Mikal Bridges, and Lonnie Walker IV.
Knox is a special talent. At just 18 years of age, Knox stands at 6’9’’ with a fluidity reminiscent to last year’s #3 pick, Jayson Tatum. Despite being a pure scorer, Knox has been scrutinized about his defense. However, he’s put many of these concerns to rest, impressing teams with his competitiveness and tenacity in workouts. Knox’s defensive activity was also very impressive in high school, leading many scouts to believe he’ll be solid at the defensive end in the pros.
Villanova’s Mikal Bridges is another intriguing option for New York. Bridges, a 21-year old senior who one two national titles as a Wildcat, is a more refined player. Although he might not have as much room for growth as the freshman Knox, Bridges is a prototypical ‘3&D’ wing that should be able to find his niche and contribute right away in the NBA.
The wild card in all of this is Miami’s Lonnie Walker IV. Walker has been soaring up draft boards, killing both his workouts and interviews. The eloquent Walker is an athletic, combo guard that should find success in the NBA with better floor spacers around him.
I think the Knicks ultimately opt for the player with the highest ceiling, selecting Kentucky’s Kevin Knox with the 9th pick.
PREDICTION: F KEVIN KNOX
Brooklyn Nets
After acquiring Dwight Howard (who will reportedly be bought out) yesterday for Timofey Mozgov and a pair of second round picks, the Nets enter the draft with the 29th and 40th picks. In terms of need, the Nets could use a power forward, specifically a player that can stretch the floor. However, I’d expect them to go with the best player available as they are still in the talent accumulation stage of their rebuild.
Multiple reports have suggested that the Nets have a desire to move up in the draft, dangling G Spencer Dinwiddie, along with the 29th pick to do so. Even after the Howard trade, the Nets remain one of the few teams around the league with valuable cap space. They could opt to take on an expiring contract for draft compensation. One possibility could be Philadelphia’s Jerryd Bayless; the Sixers own the 26th pick, as well as a handful of second rounders.
Some names that have been linked to the Nets over the draft process include: Hamidou Diallo, Moritz Wagner, Grayson Allen, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Chandler Hutchison. Nets GM Sean Marks has proved to be hard to predict, but if the Nets aren’t able to move up, all signs point to Kentucky’s Hamidou Diallo.
PREDICTION: G HAMIDOU DIALLO
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My Big Board
- Marvin Bagley III
- Deandre Ayton
- Luka Doncic
- Mo Bamba
- Kevin Knox
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Wendell Carter Jr.
- Lonnie Walker IV
- Mikal Bridges
- Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Elie Okobo
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Collin Sexton
- Robert Williams
- Chandler Hutchison
- Zhaire Smith
- Miles Bridges
- Anfernee Simmons
- Trae Young
- Jerome Robinson
- Kevin Heurter
- Hamidou Diallo
- Aaron Holiday
- Mortiz Wagner
- Grayson Allen
- Keita Bates-Diop
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Issac Bonga
- Troy Brown Jr.
- Trevon Duval
- Gary Trent Jr.
- Omari Spellman
- Dzanan Musa
- Josh Okogie
- Mitchell Robinson
- Landry Shamet
- Jalen Brunson
- Bruce Brown
- Rodions Kurucs
- Svi Mykhailiuk
- Khyri Thomas
- Jevon Carter
- Shake Milton
- Brandon McCoy
- Melvin Frazier
- Devonte Graham
- Rawle Alkins
- Jacob Evans
- Justin Jackson
- Tony Carr
- De’Anthony Melton
- Allonzo Trier
- Chimezie Metu
- Arnoldas Kulboka
- Kevin Hervey
- Goga Bitadze
- Alize Johnson
- Matur Maker
- Theo Pinson
My Mock Draft (Without Trades)
- Phoenix – C Deandre Ayton
- Sacramento – F Marvin Bagley III
- Atlanta – G Luka Doncic
- Memphis – F Wendell Carter Jr.
- Dallas – F Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Orlando – C Mo Bamba
- Chicago – F Michael Porter Jr.
- Cleveland – G Trae Young
- New York – F Kevin Knox
- Philadelphia – F Mikal Bridges
- Charlotte – G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Los Angeles – G Lonnie Walker IV
- Los Angeles – C Robert Williams
- Denver – G Collin Sexton
- Washington – F Miles Bridges
- Phoenix – G Aaron Holiday
- Milwaukee – G Jerome Robinson
- San Antonio – G Kevin Heurter
- Atlanta – G Zhaire Smith
- Minnesota – F Keita Bates-Diop
- Utah – G Donte DiVincenzo
- Chicago – F Chandler Hutchison
- Indiana – G Anfernee Simmons
- Portland – G Josh Okogie
- Los Angeles – C Mitchell Robinson
- Philadelphia – G Troy Brown Jr.
- Boston – G Grayson Allen
- Golden State – C Mortiz Wagner
- Brooklyn – G Hamidou Diallo
- Atlanta – G Elie Okobo
