New York Knicks - 2018 Draft
- Thread starter RunningJumper
- Start date
As much as I would luv to have the chance to draft Bridges .. the Knicks frontline BIGs (center n PF) tandem has been WEAK LOSERS the past 3 seasons having Melo KP Lance n Beasley.
The Knicks are in desperate need of a low post PF to go alongside center Kanter then center Quinn in the frontline.
KP has no low post skills on offense or defense making KP a liability after playing over 20 minute of playingtime, or if needed down low at crunchtime.
Beasley would have had a more successful season playing on the perimeter on the wing as our SF.
Timmy did the worst job ever trying to play at the SF position all season.
As long as Troy Williams don't shoot any 3 ball shots he give the Knicks a 2-way hustling SF
The Knicks are in desperate need of a low post PF to go alongside center Kanter then center Quinn in the frontline.
KP has no low post skills on offense or defense making KP a liability after playing over 20 minute of playingtime, or if needed down low at crunchtime.
Beasley would have had a more successful season playing on the perimeter on the wing as our SF.
Timmy did the worst job ever trying to play at the SF position all season.
As long as Troy Williams don't shoot any 3 ball shots he give the Knicks a 2-way hustling SF
Latest ESPN Insider on the top picks after first round in the tournament. Ayton may or may not have dropped from 1 but his stock dropped after that Buffalo game.
A slew of likely first-round picks left the NCAA tournament early, including Deandre Ayton, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., Michael Porter Jr. and Miles Bridges. How does their NBA draft stock look now?
Lonnie Walker IV | SG | Miami
12 points, (5-for-12 FG) 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 3 turnovers in 38 minutes in a loss to Loyola-Chicago
Walker ended his freshman season -- and likely his collegiate career -- on a major low point as he crumbled down the stretch, capping off an otherwise uninspiring performance. The talented 19-year-old guard was burned on the perimeter twice in the final minute, fumbled the ball out of bounds while up one with 23 seconds remaining and eventually missed the front end of a one-and-one that opened the door for a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
At the high school level, Walker would too often fade into the background for long stretches, and that tendency appeared with Miami's season on the line. Walker still showed his tremendous talent level with an in-and-out crossover pull-up 3, a spot 3, a few explosive straight-line drives and a dynamic finish off of a cut. But overall, his sometimes-shaky handle showed, he struggled to generate offense for others and he didn't rebound or defend like he could have with the game on the line.
Looking forward: Most scouts know Walker is more prospect than impact player at this stage of his development. Not the most naturally gifted decision-maker or ball handler, Walker was affected by Miami's lack of a point guard or much semblance of offensive flow. It's important to also remember that he has had his fair share of clutch moments as well, headlined by a game-winning step-back 3 against Boston College. However, this game did remind scouts of Walker's streaky nature. He remains a lottery-level talent with as high of an upside as any NCAA guard in the draft. -- Schmitz
Daniel Gafford | PF/C | Arkansas
7 points (2-for-9 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 blocks in 21 minutes in a loss to Butler
Gafford struggled to finish what otherwise has been a strong freshman season on a high note. His length and agility were on display as he impressively deterred a few Kamar Baldwin shots at the rim, and he did flash his offensive rebounding ability on occasion. With that said, Gafford's lack of reliable offensive skill was clear as he settled for two 1-foot fallaways in the post, a contested 17-footer and a wild post attempt along the baseline. His lack of fundamentals as a pick-and-roll defender were on display as well. He doesn't give himself nearly enough space to contain the ball and gets burned more often than his tools suggest. Gafford also gave up a handful of offensive rebounds.
Looking forward: Gafford has had his fair share of duds this season, along with some spectacular games. Scouts know what they're getting with him -- a fairly active rim-running, lob-catching, offensive rebounding center with a huge reach and some physical upside. He has limitations but remains a mid-first-round caliber prospect with a clear-cut NBA role and a high floor. -- Schmitz
Aaron Holiday | PG | UCLA
20 points (7-for-17 FG), 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 10 turnovers, 5 fouls in 40 minutes in a loss to St. Bonaventure
After a hot start, Holiday struggled mightily against a St. Bonaventure team that did an excellent job exposing the junior's shortcomings, resulting in a career-worst 10 turnovers. The Bonnies were aggressive with him in pick-and-roll situations and packed the paint against a UCLA team that's short on floor spacers. Although Holiday still made shots and dropped in a few floaters, his lack of elite size and peripheral vision, as well as his finishing limitations in traffic, were on display. He also got beat off the bounce more often than usual.
With that said, context is important when interpreting Holiday's tough game. The Bruins had a young and immature group that lacked toughness, shooting and shot creators all season long.
Looking forward: Holiday figures to look much better with NBA spacing and shooters around him, and he's a safe bet to be selected in the back-half of the first round come June. Although he doesn't have elite size, scouts love his toughness, length, shot-making and defense. -- Schmitz
Keita Bates-Diop | SF | Ohio State
28 points (10-for-21 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers in 38 minutes in a loss to Gonzaga
As a scorer, Bates-Diop showed the entire package. He knocked down 4 of 9 3-pointers, including a smooth isolation pull-up over the outstretched arm of Rui Hachimura. He glided to the rim for right- and left-handed finishes from the top of the key and scored a pair of buckets from the midpost. Bates-Diop is a versatile forward who is tailor-made for the NBA game on the offensive end.
With that said, his lack of toughness and often lethargic nature were on display. He tends to live on the perimeter far too often offensively, ices out teammates at times, struggled to finish in a crowd against the Zags and offered little resistance defensively and as a rebounder. The Buckeyes were outrebounded 39-25 and the 6-foot-7 senior was part of the problem. He has elite tools for a combo forward but isn't the physical defender he should be, which has been an issue throughout his career.
Looking forward: The Big Ten Player of the Year is easy to project as a first-round pick and longtime role player given his tools, improved stroke and modern NBA fit. Don't expect his NBA career to come without frustrations, however, as he needs to be revved up defensively and reminded not to settle so often on the perimeter given his size and fluidity. -- Schmitz
Landry Shamet | PG | Wichita State
11 points (3-for-13 FG), 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 turnovers in 36 minutes in a loss to Marshall
Marshall coach Dan D'Antoni put together a strong game plan against Shamet, getting into his air space early and often, which led to four avoidable turnovers. Shamet also had trouble finishing in traffic when run off of his spots, as he's not overly explosive or physical. Defensively, he was a mixed bag, with a few active possessions fighting over screens, stunting off the ball and using his solid footwork to stay attached. His thin frame hurt him at times, as he struggled to contain penetration against more physical guards.
Shamet is seen as a fringe first-round pick who may suffer from a huge influx of underclassmen draft declarations beyond what we're currently anticipating.
Looking forward: NBA teams remain impressed with Shamet's fluid shooting stroke and sound feel for the game. However, he has some clear limitations. It will be interesting to see what Shamet decides to do this offseason. It's not out of the question that he could return for his junior season to improve his on-ball skills. -- Schmitz
Deandre Ayton | C | Arizona
14 points (6-for-13 FG), 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 block in 38 minutes in a loss to Buffalo
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Ayton played embarrassingly poor defense all night, giving up 23 points to Buffalo JUCO transfer power forward Jeremy Harris, and looking lost in pick-and roll and help defense. Numerous times, Ayton was caught spinning around aimlessly, unaware of where he was relative to the ball, his man or his place in the defensive scheme, showing that same lack of awareness and overall instincts that makes it difficult for many scouts to see him ever emerging as a plus defender at the pro level. The NBA game is about being able to defend in space, and Ayton's well-documented struggles here are something the team that drafts him will simply have to live with.
Unfortunately for Ayton, he didn't compensate for that by dominating offensively the way he normally does. He surprisingly elected to pop out on screens rather than roll to the basket and try to overpower a physically inferior opponent. He missed some good looks around the rim that he normally makes, as well as free throws.
Looking forward: Ayton and Arizona's meltdown can happen at times to higher seeded teams in the tournament staring down the possibility of an unlikely upset. There is no questioning Ayton's physical gifts, offensive skill level and tremendous rebounding prowess, but he may not be the can't-miss future Hall of Famer that some college basketball analysts painted him as in the lead-up to this game. He still has a great chance to be the No. 1 pick, and will have a long and excellent NBA career, but it's important to remember that, like everyone else, he has plenty of things to work on. -- Givony
Mohamed Bamba | C | Texas
13 points (6-for-11 FG), 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers, 3 blocks in 31 minutes in a loss to Nevada
Bamba fouled out in controversial fashion on two questionable late-game calls that allowed Nevada to tie the score and eventually win in overtime once Texas' defense collapsed. He showed the pros and cons of his game quite vividly. Bamba is a game-changer defensively and on the glass, and he has budding talent offensively, with soft hands, excellent body control and terrific touch both facing and with his back to the basket, even if he's far from realizing his potential on this end of the floor.
Bamba can be a frustrating prospect to watch at times, as he is inconsistent with his effort and doesn't always look like he wants the ball offensively. He tends to stand around at times as rebounds fly off the defensive glass, not finding a body, and lets smaller players push him around inside the paint.
Looking forward: Bamba is still at an early stage of his development, especially physically, and will need a lot of coaching and work on his body before he's anywhere close to being a finished product. NBA scouts who were skeptical coming into this game surely didn't see enough to ease their concerns, while those that liked him already have seen what they needed at this stage. Barring any surprises, Bamba will be a top-five to -seven pick as long as he takes care of business during the pre-draft process. -- Givony
Michael Porter Jr. | SF/PF | Missouri
16 points, (4-for-12 FG) 10 rebounds, 0 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 steals in 28 minutes in a loss to Florida State
In only his second game back from a back injury that sidelined him for nearly four months, Porter looked better than he did in the SEC tournament but still struggled quite a bit, airballing a number of shots and looking gassed late in the contest. He told a sideline reporter that he's at "66-67 percent" following his injury.
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To make things even more challenging, Porter spent most of his minutes at small forward in oversized lineups with almost zero ballhandling, passing or shooting, partially due to the fact that Missouri's starting small forward was suspended. Porter showed off his well-documented weaknesses, including his upright style of ballhandling, his lack of court vision and poor shot selection.
With that said, he did get a chance to display his scoring instincts, footwork, body control and ability to make tough shots off the bounce, which are some of his best characteristics as a talented mismatch 4-man at the NBA level. His defense was a mixed bag, but he did do a good job of getting back into plays after being beat thanks to his length and mobility.
While Porter didn't help himself by deciding to play these last two games, you can certainly argue that he showed quite a bit of character and competitiveness. There was perhaps a degree of irrational self-belief here, but the fact that he wanted to try and help his team is something NBA teams will likely appreciate.
Looking forward: Porter has some work cut out for him in the pre-draft process, both in convincing teams his injury problems are a thing of the past as well as reminding them of his talent level. Thanks to the amount of film that is out there from his high school, AAU and USA Basketball days, it won't be hard for teams to see what he looks like on video when he's at full strength, but Porter will have to do a little more than other players in the top seven or eight to cement his spot in the draft after the time away. -- Givony
Trae Young | PG | Oklahoma
28 points (9-for-18 FG), 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 turnovers in 39 minutes in a loss to Rhode Island
Young had a solid showing in what will likely be his final college basketball game, halting what has been a concerning slide over the past 15 games in which his production and effort level had dropped off dramatically.
Young showed how high his offensive skill level is against an array of tough Rhode Island defenders, doing a nice job of blending his passing and scoring and looking fairly under control for most of the contest. His ballhandling, court vision and shot making were particularly impressive. As usual, he didn't get much support from his teammates, as quite a few good looks he created were not converted into points, which made it somewhat understandable why he felt the need to go into gunner mode down the stretch, a move that got OU back into the game in regulation but led to some bad moments in overtime.
Many of the issues that scouts have nitpicked about Young all year were on full display, including his porous defense, his inability to finish inside the paint and his at-times questionable shot selection, but there's little doubting his overall talent and fit in today's NBA.
Looking forward: Young's late-season struggles combined with excellent finishes by Collin Sexton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have made for an interesting debate about this point guard class. All three appear to be firmly in the mid- to late-lottery or mid-first round at worst. Workouts, team needs and stylistic preferences will likely help separate them over the course of the pre-draft process. -- Givony
Miles Bridges | SF/PF | Michigan State
11 points (4-for-18 FG), 6 rebounds, 0 assists in 35 minutes in a loss to Syracuse
In one of the uglier college basketball games in recent memory, Bridges put forth arguably his worst performance of the year, hoisting 12 3s and missing his final six shots as the Spartans fell to a scrappy Syracuse team. Although he wasn't exactly put in an ideal position, playing strictly small forward against a zone, Bridges too often settled for contested pull-ups or spot 3s early in the clock. He looked clunky attacking off the bounce and missed the few attempts in the paint he was able to generate because of his need to gather off of two feet.
Defensively, Bridges had a few nice possessions containing Oshae Brissett drives and forcing him into midrange jumpers. Bridges also had some lapses, however, reaching on a straight-line drive late in the game rather than staying solid. His lack of elite reach (8-7) also showed on one possession against Brissett, as he stayed step-for-step with the forward but wasn't able to bother his shot in the paint.
Looking forward: Bridges is one of the better-known prospects in the lottery, and one ugly, junk-it-up game against a zone defense likely isn't going to deter teams that already liked him from selecting him in the 10-14 range. Still, Sunday's game reminded scouts that Bridges is a streaky shooter who projects much more as a do-it-all, utility forward who is at his best in space, and he shouldn't be relied upon to create offense against a set defense.
Bridges certainly hasn't made the jump scouts would have hoped when he elected to return for his sophomore season. His 3-point percentage has taken a slight dip, and he has proven time and time again that his best NBA position is at the 4. Scouts still like Bridges' competitive nature, strength, explosiveness in space, versatility and high floor at a position of need. However, Bridges hasn't done much this season to convince teams that he belongs firmly ahead of positional peers Mikal Bridges and Kevin Knox. -- Schmitz
Jaren Jackson Jr. | PF/C | Michigan State
2 points, (0-for-4 FG), 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 0 blocks in 15 minutes in a loss to Syracuse
Jackson's season ended in highly disappointing fashion, as he played only 15 minutes and had to watch helplessly from the bench as his team squandered a late lead.
Jackson had some nice moments attacking the zone from the high post, covering ground defensively and crashing the glass on both ends of the floor, but didn't make the type of overall impact you'd expect from someone with his talent-level. (MSU was plus-6 with him in the game and minus-8 with him out.) He wasn't as physical or aggressive as he needed to be attacking the zone or Syracuse's undersized big men. Instead of Jackson, head coach Tom Izzo turned to 23-year old Ben Carter down the stretch instead; Carter had scored just 13 points all season.
Plenty of questions have been raised about the decisions Izzo made down the stretch, as this is the third straight season in which the Hall of Famer has been unable to advance out of the first weekend of the tournament. From an NBA standpoint, most of those questions revolve around the outdated lineup configurations and overall style of basketball the Spartans played all season. Izzo's insistence on having six different centers on the roster and playing all of them (two at a time) in virtually every contest -- despite the obvious toll that took on the team's spacing, ball movement, shooting and aesthetic appeal -- makes it difficult to draw too many conclusions on Jackson's NBA outlook.
At 6-11 and 240 pounds, with a 7-5 wingspan, it is unlikely that Jackson will see much time at the power forward spot in the NBA like he did all season, certainly not next to a non-shooting center who lacks relative athleticiscm. How much better would Jackson have looked playing in a more up-tempo system at his natural position when surrounded by more skilled teammates? NBA decision-makers will have to decipher that on their own.
Looking forward: It is important to remember that Jackson is the youngest prospect in this class and was clearly not being utilized to his full potential. He will still be drafted in the mid-to-high lottery, but there will be a significant amount of debate in teams' war rooms about how to rank him compared with the likes of Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr. -- Givony
Collin Sexton | PG | Alabama
17 points (7-for-14 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 turnovers in 30 minutes in a loss to Villanova
Sexton had a fairly typical performance by his standards against an outstanding Villanova team. He got to his spots on the floor thanks to his terrific quickness, ballhandling ability, body control and extreme aggressiveness, although not always being able to finish inside the paint against Villanova's excellent defense and having some avoidable turnovers in the process. He also knocked down a couple of pull-up jumpers, had some nice passes, crashed the offensive glass and played strong defense throughout, especially on player of the year candidate Jalen Brunson.
Sexton has his warts as a decision-maker and perimeter shooter and with his overall emotional volatility on the court, but he ticks quite a few boxes scouts look for at point guard and teams will surely fall in love with his competitiveness and drive.
Looking forward: Sexton started the season in the top 10 and will finish it there, although he has been joined by Young and Gilgeous-Alexander as lottery PGs. The pre-draft process will help parse out the order in which those three are selected, but Sexton will surely be a hot commodity. -- Givony
Jacob Evans | SF | Cincinnati
19 points (7-for-19 FG), 7 rebounds, 2 assists in 34 minutes in a loss to Nevada
In what appeared to be a convincing win with the Bearcats up 22 and 11:27 remaining, Cincinnati crumbled down the stretch, and Evans certainly played a part in the collapse. After scoring 15 points on a host of straight-line drives in the first half, Evans went ice cold in the second, shooting 1-for-5 with two crucial turnovers. Evans' wavering confidence in his perimeter jumper was clear as he too often dribbled aimlessly on the perimeter without much of a plan, and he turned down pull-ups and spot-ups for contested floaters in the lane, looking indecisive in the process.
Evans missed both of his 3-point attempts on Sunday and nearly banked in a straightaway pull-up with Cincinnati up 3 and 1:19 remaining. Defensively, Evans had some solid possessions and was active on the glass, switching onto multiple positions quite comfortably. He also allowed physical opponents to get to the rim more than his tools would suggest.
Looking forward: Evans ended the season on a bit of a downswing, shooting just 3-for-21 from 3 over his last five games and looking a bit out of sorts on offense. It's important to keep in mind that Evans will likely have a much different role in the NBA, projecting more as a 3-and-D wing than this pseudo point guard role. It will be important for the 20-year-old junior to prove that he can be a reliable standstill shooter throughout the pre-draft process if he hopes to hear his name called at the back end of the first round. -- Schmitz
Khyri Thomas | SG | Creighton
9 points (4-for-9 FG), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals in 37 minutes in a loss to Kansas State
Thomas didn't finish off the season as well as he started it, having his first back-to-back single-digit scoring outings of the year at the worst time for Creighton.
Still, it's hard to point out anything glaring about the way Thomas played, perhaps besides the fact that his spot-up jumpers weren't falling as often as they normally do (42 percent from 3). He played excellent defense again, made some smart passes and showed some ability to attack off closeouts and straight-line drives.
Although he has some limitations as a ball handler and isn't the most confident or assertive offensive player, scouts who liked Thomas during the regular season probably weren't scared off by what he showed in the postseason. He projects as a role-playing 3-and-D wing.
Looking forward: Thomas will need to decide whether to return for his final year of college basketball or enter the draft. He's a strong candidate to test the waters and gather feedback from NBA teams about his stock and then make an informed decision about his future in May. -- Givony
A slew of likely first-round picks left the NCAA tournament early, including Deandre Ayton, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., Michael Porter Jr. and Miles Bridges. How does their NBA draft stock look now?
Lonnie Walker IV | SG | Miami
12 points, (5-for-12 FG) 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 3 turnovers in 38 minutes in a loss to Loyola-Chicago
Walker ended his freshman season -- and likely his collegiate career -- on a major low point as he crumbled down the stretch, capping off an otherwise uninspiring performance. The talented 19-year-old guard was burned on the perimeter twice in the final minute, fumbled the ball out of bounds while up one with 23 seconds remaining and eventually missed the front end of a one-and-one that opened the door for a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
At the high school level, Walker would too often fade into the background for long stretches, and that tendency appeared with Miami's season on the line. Walker still showed his tremendous talent level with an in-and-out crossover pull-up 3, a spot 3, a few explosive straight-line drives and a dynamic finish off of a cut. But overall, his sometimes-shaky handle showed, he struggled to generate offense for others and he didn't rebound or defend like he could have with the game on the line.
Looking forward: Most scouts know Walker is more prospect than impact player at this stage of his development. Not the most naturally gifted decision-maker or ball handler, Walker was affected by Miami's lack of a point guard or much semblance of offensive flow. It's important to also remember that he has had his fair share of clutch moments as well, headlined by a game-winning step-back 3 against Boston College. However, this game did remind scouts of Walker's streaky nature. He remains a lottery-level talent with as high of an upside as any NCAA guard in the draft. -- Schmitz
Daniel Gafford | PF/C | Arkansas
7 points (2-for-9 FG), 5 rebounds, 3 blocks in 21 minutes in a loss to Butler
Gafford struggled to finish what otherwise has been a strong freshman season on a high note. His length and agility were on display as he impressively deterred a few Kamar Baldwin shots at the rim, and he did flash his offensive rebounding ability on occasion. With that said, Gafford's lack of reliable offensive skill was clear as he settled for two 1-foot fallaways in the post, a contested 17-footer and a wild post attempt along the baseline. His lack of fundamentals as a pick-and-roll defender were on display as well. He doesn't give himself nearly enough space to contain the ball and gets burned more often than his tools suggest. Gafford also gave up a handful of offensive rebounds.
Looking forward: Gafford has had his fair share of duds this season, along with some spectacular games. Scouts know what they're getting with him -- a fairly active rim-running, lob-catching, offensive rebounding center with a huge reach and some physical upside. He has limitations but remains a mid-first-round caliber prospect with a clear-cut NBA role and a high floor. -- Schmitz
Aaron Holiday | PG | UCLA
20 points (7-for-17 FG), 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 10 turnovers, 5 fouls in 40 minutes in a loss to St. Bonaventure
After a hot start, Holiday struggled mightily against a St. Bonaventure team that did an excellent job exposing the junior's shortcomings, resulting in a career-worst 10 turnovers. The Bonnies were aggressive with him in pick-and-roll situations and packed the paint against a UCLA team that's short on floor spacers. Although Holiday still made shots and dropped in a few floaters, his lack of elite size and peripheral vision, as well as his finishing limitations in traffic, were on display. He also got beat off the bounce more often than usual.
With that said, context is important when interpreting Holiday's tough game. The Bruins had a young and immature group that lacked toughness, shooting and shot creators all season long.
Looking forward: Holiday figures to look much better with NBA spacing and shooters around him, and he's a safe bet to be selected in the back-half of the first round come June. Although he doesn't have elite size, scouts love his toughness, length, shot-making and defense. -- Schmitz
Keita Bates-Diop | SF | Ohio State
28 points (10-for-21 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers in 38 minutes in a loss to Gonzaga
As a scorer, Bates-Diop showed the entire package. He knocked down 4 of 9 3-pointers, including a smooth isolation pull-up over the outstretched arm of Rui Hachimura. He glided to the rim for right- and left-handed finishes from the top of the key and scored a pair of buckets from the midpost. Bates-Diop is a versatile forward who is tailor-made for the NBA game on the offensive end.
With that said, his lack of toughness and often lethargic nature were on display. He tends to live on the perimeter far too often offensively, ices out teammates at times, struggled to finish in a crowd against the Zags and offered little resistance defensively and as a rebounder. The Buckeyes were outrebounded 39-25 and the 6-foot-7 senior was part of the problem. He has elite tools for a combo forward but isn't the physical defender he should be, which has been an issue throughout his career.
Looking forward: The Big Ten Player of the Year is easy to project as a first-round pick and longtime role player given his tools, improved stroke and modern NBA fit. Don't expect his NBA career to come without frustrations, however, as he needs to be revved up defensively and reminded not to settle so often on the perimeter given his size and fluidity. -- Schmitz
Landry Shamet | PG | Wichita State
11 points (3-for-13 FG), 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 turnovers in 36 minutes in a loss to Marshall
In Viejas arena set to watch Landry Shamet and Wichita State take on Marshall. According to @SynergySST Shamet is scoring 1.056 PPP on 72 pull-up jumpers this season, which is in the 90th percentile. Shamet is a high-floor prospect thanks to his positional size, stroke & feel. pic.twitter.com/aoMd9xftAj
- Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 16, 2018
Shamet struggled mightily against a mediocre Marshall defense that ranks 126th in the NCAA in defensive efficiency, according to Kenpom.com. While missing all seven of his 3-point attempts isn't indicative of his career 43.8 percent shooting, the fact that Shamet crumbled against ball pressure, missed open looks in crunch time and had major issues initiating offense did emphasize the questions about his ability to play point guard at the next level.- Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 16, 2018
Marshall coach Dan D'Antoni put together a strong game plan against Shamet, getting into his air space early and often, which led to four avoidable turnovers. Shamet also had trouble finishing in traffic when run off of his spots, as he's not overly explosive or physical. Defensively, he was a mixed bag, with a few active possessions fighting over screens, stunting off the ball and using his solid footwork to stay attached. His thin frame hurt him at times, as he struggled to contain penetration against more physical guards.
Shamet is seen as a fringe first-round pick who may suffer from a huge influx of underclassmen draft declarations beyond what we're currently anticipating.
Looking forward: NBA teams remain impressed with Shamet's fluid shooting stroke and sound feel for the game. However, he has some clear limitations. It will be interesting to see what Shamet decides to do this offseason. It's not out of the question that he could return for his junior season to improve his on-ball skills. -- Schmitz
Deandre Ayton | C | Arizona
14 points (6-for-13 FG), 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1 block in 38 minutes in a loss to Buffalo
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Ayton played embarrassingly poor defense all night, giving up 23 points to Buffalo JUCO transfer power forward Jeremy Harris, and looking lost in pick-and roll and help defense. Numerous times, Ayton was caught spinning around aimlessly, unaware of where he was relative to the ball, his man or his place in the defensive scheme, showing that same lack of awareness and overall instincts that makes it difficult for many scouts to see him ever emerging as a plus defender at the pro level. The NBA game is about being able to defend in space, and Ayton's well-documented struggles here are something the team that drafts him will simply have to live with.
Unfortunately for Ayton, he didn't compensate for that by dominating offensively the way he normally does. He surprisingly elected to pop out on screens rather than roll to the basket and try to overpower a physically inferior opponent. He missed some good looks around the rim that he normally makes, as well as free throws.
Looking forward: Ayton and Arizona's meltdown can happen at times to higher seeded teams in the tournament staring down the possibility of an unlikely upset. There is no questioning Ayton's physical gifts, offensive skill level and tremendous rebounding prowess, but he may not be the can't-miss future Hall of Famer that some college basketball analysts painted him as in the lead-up to this game. He still has a great chance to be the No. 1 pick, and will have a long and excellent NBA career, but it's important to remember that, like everyone else, he has plenty of things to work on. -- Givony
Mohamed Bamba | C | Texas
13 points (6-for-11 FG), 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers, 3 blocks in 31 minutes in a loss to Nevada
Bamba fouled out in controversial fashion on two questionable late-game calls that allowed Nevada to tie the score and eventually win in overtime once Texas' defense collapsed. He showed the pros and cons of his game quite vividly. Bamba is a game-changer defensively and on the glass, and he has budding talent offensively, with soft hands, excellent body control and terrific touch both facing and with his back to the basket, even if he's far from realizing his potential on this end of the floor.
Bamba can be a frustrating prospect to watch at times, as he is inconsistent with his effort and doesn't always look like he wants the ball offensively. He tends to stand around at times as rebounds fly off the defensive glass, not finding a body, and lets smaller players push him around inside the paint.
Looking forward: Bamba is still at an early stage of his development, especially physically, and will need a lot of coaching and work on his body before he's anywhere close to being a finished product. NBA scouts who were skeptical coming into this game surely didn't see enough to ease their concerns, while those that liked him already have seen what they needed at this stage. Barring any surprises, Bamba will be a top-five to -seven pick as long as he takes care of business during the pre-draft process. -- Givony
Michael Porter Jr. | SF/PF | Missouri
16 points, (4-for-12 FG) 10 rebounds, 0 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 steals in 28 minutes in a loss to Florida State
In only his second game back from a back injury that sidelined him for nearly four months, Porter looked better than he did in the SEC tournament but still struggled quite a bit, airballing a number of shots and looking gassed late in the contest. He told a sideline reporter that he's at "66-67 percent" following his injury.
2018 NCAA Tournament Coverage
? Tournament bracket | PDF | GIF
? Tournament Challenge: Check brackets
? Tournament Challenge Second Chance
? Reseeding the Sweet 16 teams
? Sweet 16 field full of surprises
? What's next for each Sweet 16 team?
? 538: Win probabilities & predictions
? 2018-19 projections for tourney teams
? College Basketball PickCenter
? College Basketball Scoreboard
? College Basketball Nation blog
? NCAA tournament schedule
? Full NCAA tournament coverage
To make things even more challenging, Porter spent most of his minutes at small forward in oversized lineups with almost zero ballhandling, passing or shooting, partially due to the fact that Missouri's starting small forward was suspended. Porter showed off his well-documented weaknesses, including his upright style of ballhandling, his lack of court vision and poor shot selection.
With that said, he did get a chance to display his scoring instincts, footwork, body control and ability to make tough shots off the bounce, which are some of his best characteristics as a talented mismatch 4-man at the NBA level. His defense was a mixed bag, but he did do a good job of getting back into plays after being beat thanks to his length and mobility.
While Porter didn't help himself by deciding to play these last two games, you can certainly argue that he showed quite a bit of character and competitiveness. There was perhaps a degree of irrational self-belief here, but the fact that he wanted to try and help his team is something NBA teams will likely appreciate.
Looking forward: Porter has some work cut out for him in the pre-draft process, both in convincing teams his injury problems are a thing of the past as well as reminding them of his talent level. Thanks to the amount of film that is out there from his high school, AAU and USA Basketball days, it won't be hard for teams to see what he looks like on video when he's at full strength, but Porter will have to do a little more than other players in the top seven or eight to cement his spot in the draft after the time away. -- Givony
Trae Young | PG | Oklahoma
28 points (9-for-18 FG), 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 turnovers in 39 minutes in a loss to Rhode Island
Young had a solid showing in what will likely be his final college basketball game, halting what has been a concerning slide over the past 15 games in which his production and effort level had dropped off dramatically.
Young showed how high his offensive skill level is against an array of tough Rhode Island defenders, doing a nice job of blending his passing and scoring and looking fairly under control for most of the contest. His ballhandling, court vision and shot making were particularly impressive. As usual, he didn't get much support from his teammates, as quite a few good looks he created were not converted into points, which made it somewhat understandable why he felt the need to go into gunner mode down the stretch, a move that got OU back into the game in regulation but led to some bad moments in overtime.
Many of the issues that scouts have nitpicked about Young all year were on full display, including his porous defense, his inability to finish inside the paint and his at-times questionable shot selection, but there's little doubting his overall talent and fit in today's NBA.
Looking forward: Young's late-season struggles combined with excellent finishes by Collin Sexton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have made for an interesting debate about this point guard class. All three appear to be firmly in the mid- to late-lottery or mid-first round at worst. Workouts, team needs and stylistic preferences will likely help separate them over the course of the pre-draft process. -- Givony
Miles Bridges | SF/PF | Michigan State
11 points (4-for-18 FG), 6 rebounds, 0 assists in 35 minutes in a loss to Syracuse
In one of the uglier college basketball games in recent memory, Bridges put forth arguably his worst performance of the year, hoisting 12 3s and missing his final six shots as the Spartans fell to a scrappy Syracuse team. Although he wasn't exactly put in an ideal position, playing strictly small forward against a zone, Bridges too often settled for contested pull-ups or spot 3s early in the clock. He looked clunky attacking off the bounce and missed the few attempts in the paint he was able to generate because of his need to gather off of two feet.
Defensively, Bridges had a few nice possessions containing Oshae Brissett drives and forcing him into midrange jumpers. Bridges also had some lapses, however, reaching on a straight-line drive late in the game rather than staying solid. His lack of elite reach (8-7) also showed on one possession against Brissett, as he stayed step-for-step with the forward but wasn't able to bother his shot in the paint.
Looking forward: Bridges is one of the better-known prospects in the lottery, and one ugly, junk-it-up game against a zone defense likely isn't going to deter teams that already liked him from selecting him in the 10-14 range. Still, Sunday's game reminded scouts that Bridges is a streaky shooter who projects much more as a do-it-all, utility forward who is at his best in space, and he shouldn't be relied upon to create offense against a set defense.
Bridges certainly hasn't made the jump scouts would have hoped when he elected to return for his sophomore season. His 3-point percentage has taken a slight dip, and he has proven time and time again that his best NBA position is at the 4. Scouts still like Bridges' competitive nature, strength, explosiveness in space, versatility and high floor at a position of need. However, Bridges hasn't done much this season to convince teams that he belongs firmly ahead of positional peers Mikal Bridges and Kevin Knox. -- Schmitz
Jaren Jackson Jr. | PF/C | Michigan State
2 points, (0-for-4 FG), 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 0 blocks in 15 minutes in a loss to Syracuse
Jackson's season ended in highly disappointing fashion, as he played only 15 minutes and had to watch helplessly from the bench as his team squandered a late lead.
Jackson had some nice moments attacking the zone from the high post, covering ground defensively and crashing the glass on both ends of the floor, but didn't make the type of overall impact you'd expect from someone with his talent-level. (MSU was plus-6 with him in the game and minus-8 with him out.) He wasn't as physical or aggressive as he needed to be attacking the zone or Syracuse's undersized big men. Instead of Jackson, head coach Tom Izzo turned to 23-year old Ben Carter down the stretch instead; Carter had scored just 13 points all season.
Plenty of questions have been raised about the decisions Izzo made down the stretch, as this is the third straight season in which the Hall of Famer has been unable to advance out of the first weekend of the tournament. From an NBA standpoint, most of those questions revolve around the outdated lineup configurations and overall style of basketball the Spartans played all season. Izzo's insistence on having six different centers on the roster and playing all of them (two at a time) in virtually every contest -- despite the obvious toll that took on the team's spacing, ball movement, shooting and aesthetic appeal -- makes it difficult to draw too many conclusions on Jackson's NBA outlook.
At 6-11 and 240 pounds, with a 7-5 wingspan, it is unlikely that Jackson will see much time at the power forward spot in the NBA like he did all season, certainly not next to a non-shooting center who lacks relative athleticiscm. How much better would Jackson have looked playing in a more up-tempo system at his natural position when surrounded by more skilled teammates? NBA decision-makers will have to decipher that on their own.
Looking forward: It is important to remember that Jackson is the youngest prospect in this class and was clearly not being utilized to his full potential. He will still be drafted in the mid-to-high lottery, but there will be a significant amount of debate in teams' war rooms about how to rank him compared with the likes of Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr. -- Givony
Collin Sexton | PG | Alabama
17 points (7-for-14 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 turnovers in 30 minutes in a loss to Villanova
Sexton had a fairly typical performance by his standards against an outstanding Villanova team. He got to his spots on the floor thanks to his terrific quickness, ballhandling ability, body control and extreme aggressiveness, although not always being able to finish inside the paint against Villanova's excellent defense and having some avoidable turnovers in the process. He also knocked down a couple of pull-up jumpers, had some nice passes, crashed the offensive glass and played strong defense throughout, especially on player of the year candidate Jalen Brunson.
Sexton has his warts as a decision-maker and perimeter shooter and with his overall emotional volatility on the court, but he ticks quite a few boxes scouts look for at point guard and teams will surely fall in love with his competitiveness and drive.
Looking forward: Sexton started the season in the top 10 and will finish it there, although he has been joined by Young and Gilgeous-Alexander as lottery PGs. The pre-draft process will help parse out the order in which those three are selected, but Sexton will surely be a hot commodity. -- Givony
Jacob Evans | SF | Cincinnati
19 points (7-for-19 FG), 7 rebounds, 2 assists in 34 minutes in a loss to Nevada
In what appeared to be a convincing win with the Bearcats up 22 and 11:27 remaining, Cincinnati crumbled down the stretch, and Evans certainly played a part in the collapse. After scoring 15 points on a host of straight-line drives in the first half, Evans went ice cold in the second, shooting 1-for-5 with two crucial turnovers. Evans' wavering confidence in his perimeter jumper was clear as he too often dribbled aimlessly on the perimeter without much of a plan, and he turned down pull-ups and spot-ups for contested floaters in the lane, looking indecisive in the process.
Evans missed both of his 3-point attempts on Sunday and nearly banked in a straightaway pull-up with Cincinnati up 3 and 1:19 remaining. Defensively, Evans had some solid possessions and was active on the glass, switching onto multiple positions quite comfortably. He also allowed physical opponents to get to the rim more than his tools would suggest.
Looking forward: Evans ended the season on a bit of a downswing, shooting just 3-for-21 from 3 over his last five games and looking a bit out of sorts on offense. It's important to keep in mind that Evans will likely have a much different role in the NBA, projecting more as a 3-and-D wing than this pseudo point guard role. It will be important for the 20-year-old junior to prove that he can be a reliable standstill shooter throughout the pre-draft process if he hopes to hear his name called at the back end of the first round. -- Schmitz
Khyri Thomas | SG | Creighton
9 points (4-for-9 FG), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals in 37 minutes in a loss to Kansas State
Thomas didn't finish off the season as well as he started it, having his first back-to-back single-digit scoring outings of the year at the worst time for Creighton.
Still, it's hard to point out anything glaring about the way Thomas played, perhaps besides the fact that his spot-up jumpers weren't falling as often as they normally do (42 percent from 3). He played excellent defense again, made some smart passes and showed some ability to attack off closeouts and straight-line drives.
Although he has some limitations as a ball handler and isn't the most confident or assertive offensive player, scouts who liked Thomas during the regular season probably weren't scared off by what he showed in the postseason. He projects as a role-playing 3-and-D wing.
Looking forward: Thomas will need to decide whether to return for his final year of college basketball or enter the draft. He's a strong candidate to test the waters and gather feedback from NBA teams about his stock and then make an informed decision about his future in May. -- Givony
Washington Post with the benefit of hindsight redid the top 10 picks in the last draft. Here are their top 10. Nits not in the discussion but the 2 guys after him are. I'd say Frank should have gone more late first round as a stash in France for a season pick rather than at 8. I also thought Fox was ahead of Lonzo like this guy has him.
10. John Collins
9. Josh Jackson
8. Lauri Markkanen
7. Bam Adebayo
6. Lonzo Ball
5. Kyle Kuzma
4. DSJ
3. DeAaron Fox
2. DM
1. Jason Tatum
10. John Collins
9. Josh Jackson
8. Lauri Markkanen
7. Bam Adebayo
6. Lonzo Ball
5. Kyle Kuzma
4. DSJ
3. DeAaron Fox
2. DM
1. Jason Tatum
Last edited:
Jackson and Kuzma should be slightly higher and Fox slightly lower. Ball is about right
Hey Tig check your messages if you haven't already
Latest Mock from ESPN Insider
Editor's note (March 20): This mock draft has been updated with the latest intel.
How has the shape of the NBA draft changed with many of the likely lottery picks out of the NCAA tournament?
Let's look at where the top prospects -- including Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Mohamed Bamba and Marvin Bagley III -- might land.
Our mock draft differs in two crucial ways from our recently updated top 100 prospect rankings. It uses ESPN's BPI to project the draft order, and it's adjusted for NBA team needs accordingly. It also attempts to project which players will ultimately end up declaring and keeping their names in the draft.
[h=2]1. Phoenix Suns[/h]
Deandre Ayton
Arizona
Age: 19.6
C
Height: 7 feet | Weight: 243
Ayton was beginning to answer some of the questions scouts have had about him since high school with a string of dominant performances down the stretch. Unfortunately, the way he ended the season brought many of those question marks back to light. Physically, he's one of the most gifted prospects we've seen in the draft in the past few years, and he has an impressive skill level, to boot.
Phoenix, the worst defensive team in the NBA, will be right to question Ayton's impact on that end of the floor, but his sheer productivity makes it difficult to not slot him at the top of this class.
Starting salary: $8,095,680
[h=2]2. Atlanta Hawks[/h]
Luka Doncic
Real Madrid
Age: 19.0
PG
Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 228
After playing 80 games in the 2016-17 season, Doncic went straight into preparation for EuroBasket, which extended deep into September, giving him no offseason whatsoever. His body is paying the toll for that now, as he clearly hit a wall in February and was recently shut down by Real Madrid for at least a couple of weeks. It will be intriguing to see if Doncic can regain his early-season form heading into the EuroLeague and ACB playoffs, which will help him re-establish his candidacy for the No. 1 pick.
Doncic would be a dream selection for the Hawks because he has the size, skill and versatility to fit in well alongside all their existing talent, while also possessing star potential in his own right.
Starting salary: $7,243,440
[h=2]3. Memphis Grizzlies[/h]
Marvin Bagley III
Duke
Age: 19.0
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 234
Considering their aging core, financial woes and precarious ownership situation, the Grizzlies will likely be looking to return to playoff contention as quickly as possible. With a rim-protecting 3-point shooter in Marc Gasol already in the fold, this is one of the few places in the lottery in which Bagley could actually fit in very nicely alongside another big man and not be pigeonholed into the center position, where his poor defense might be a real concern.
Bagley's athleticism, motor, rebounding, finishing ability and overall productivity will be very attractive here.
Starting salary: $6,504,600
[h=2]4. Orlando Magic[/h]
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Michigan State
Age: 18.5
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 240
The youngest projected first-rounder, Jackson might have the highest ceiling in terms of his ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. He has enviable physical tools, including a 7-foot-4 wingspan and tremendous mobility. Jackson's ability to space the floor (40 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line), block shots (5.7 per 40 minutes), switch on every screen and, increasingly, put the ball on the floor from the perimeter makes him an ideal fit for the modern NBA.
It's easy to see Jackson manning the center position for Orlando in a frontcourt alongside the equally versatile Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. He also could play together at times with Nikola Vucevic, who sorely needs an athletic, defensive-oriented big man alongside him to make up for his shortcomings on that end of the court.
Starting salary: $5,864,640
[h=2]5. Sacramento Kings[/h]
Mohamed Bamba
Texas
Age: 19.8
C
Height: 7-0 | Weight: 207
None of the Kings' big men have emerged as franchise cornerstones at this stage, meaning it would be foolish to pass on a top-tier talent due to positional concerns.
Bamba will get some looks higher than this, as well, given his rare combination of length, shot-blocking instincts and offensive promise. Every team in the NBA is looking for a big man who can anchor a defense. That includes the Kings, who have struggled on that end of the floor all season.
Starting salary: $5,310,720
[h=2]6. Dallas Mavericks[/h]
Wendell Carter Jr.
Duke
Age: 18.9
C
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 259
The Mavs could certainly use help in the frontcourt, and Carter's basketball IQ and versatility are promising in a number of ways. He is a physically mature big man with a 259-pound frame and a 7-foot-3 wingspan, which will allow him to play the center position in the NBA with ease.
He is a polished player with excellent hands and touch around the basket and has demonstrated a nice blend of passing, shot-blocking and perimeter shooting, despite being overshadowed at times by fellow big man Marvin Bagley III.
Starting salary: $4,823,520
[h=2]7. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets)[/h]
Michael Porter Jr.
Missouri
Age: 19.7
SF/PF
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 214
With an uncertain future on the horizon due to LeBron James' free agency, the Cavs will need to stockpile as much talent as they can, regardless of their hopes of keeping the King at home.
Porter came into the season with the hope of making a run at being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to build his case because of a back injury. Porter's size, shot-creation skill and scoring instincts will nevertheless make him a coveted prospect next June. He is a playmaker on both ends of the floor and is just starting to figure out how to put his talent to full use.
Starting salary: $4,403,280
Cleveland will receive Brooklyn's first-round pick unprotected.
[h=2]8. Chicago Bulls[/h]
Trae Young
Oklahoma
Age: 19.4
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 176
Kris Dunn has had a breakout season for the Bulls, but he could certainly use some backcourt help due to his inconsistent jump shot and shaky decision-making skills.
Young looks like a nice backcourt pairing with his ability to navigate pick-and-rolls, make shots off the dribble and find the open man with impressive creativity. Having the luxury of hiding him defensively will be a key to his early success, and Dunn can defend either guard spot.
Starting salary: $4,033,800
[h=2]9. New York Knicks[/h]
Collin Sexton
Alabama
Age: 19.2
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 183
Frank Ntilikina has had some nice rookie moments, but the Knicks are finding out that the long-armed, 6-foot-5 guard seems better suited playing alongside a more dominant ball handler and shot creator who can take some of the scoring responsibilities off his shoulders.
Enter Sexton, with his tremendous aggressiveness driving the lane, taking off-the-dribble jumpers and putting defensive pressure on opposing guards. NBA teams have some concerns about Sexton's decision-making and reckless style of play. Fiercely competitive, Sexton has shown enough flashes in the right areas to be comfortably projected as a starting-caliber point guard, with plenty of upside to grow into.
Starting salary: $3,708,120
[h=2]10. Charlotte Hornets[/h]
Mikal Bridges
Villanova
Age: 21.5
SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 200
The Hornets are still searching for long-term answers on the wing, where they've rotated a number of players in and out of the starting lineup all season, partially due to injuries.
Bridges is an easy player to slot on almost any NBA roster, thanks to his multipositional defensive versatility, 3-point shooting and role-player potential. He isn't as gifted a shot creator as you'd like from a top-10 pick, so the Hornets will have to continue to rebuild their roster using other assets.
Starting salary: $3,522,480
[h=2]11. LA Clippers (via Pistons)[/h]
Robert Williams
Texas A&M
Age: 20.4
PF/C
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 237
Williams reminded everyone why he was such a highly touted prospect entering the season with a tremendous opening weekend in the NCAA tournament, helping Texas A&M reach the Sweet 16.
Despite playing out of position all season, he has shown that his game is tailor-made for the NBA as a rim-running, pick-and-roll-finishing, shot-blocker/offensive rebounder in the Clint Capela mold. With DeAndre Jordan in the final year of his contract, the Clippers could certainly look to Williams as a potential successor.
Starting salary: $3,346,560
The Clippers will receive Detroit's pick if it falls outside the top four.
[h=2]12. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)[/h]
Miles Bridges
Michigan State
Age: 19.9
SF/PF
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 226
The Sixers are likely in line to draft in the lottery due to the shrewd Michael Carter-Williams trade made by Sam Hinkie three years ago.
Bridges is arguably the best athlete in this draft and plays a coveted position as a two-way forward who can guard all over the floor, something that should be appealing to Philadelphia. He converted 38 percent of his 3-pointers in college, but his lack of improvement as a ball handler is hampering his draft stock after making a disappointing early exit from the NCAA tournament. He isn't as gifted a shot creator as you'd like, but if he's playing alongside the likes of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, he probably won't need to be.
Starting salary: $3,179,280
Philadelphia will receive the Lakers' pick if it lands at No. 1 or Nos. 6-30. Otherwise, the pick goes to Boston.
[h=2]13. Denver Nuggets[/h]
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kentucky
Age: 19.6
PG/SG
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 171
The Nuggets are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and will likely be looking to add multipositional versatility to their backcourt, which has been inconsistent on that end of the floor.
Gilgeous-Alexander has the size, length, defensive prowess and unselfishness needed to operate as a role player alongside a variety of guards. His offense has made significant strides as the season has moved on, helping him surprisingly emerge as arguably Kentucky's best top long-term prospect.
Starting salary: $3,020,280
[h=2]14. LA Clippers[/h]
Lonnie Walker IV
Miami
Age: 19.2
SG
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 206
Walker didn't have a consistent or efficient freshman season, but his talent, combined with the lack of depth at his position, is keeping his name in the top-20 conversation. His youth, strong frame, 6-10? wingspan and ability to shoot with his feet set or off the dribble make him a candidate to rise during the pre-draft process as teams search for upside and diamonds in the rough.
The Clippers' wing rotation is a major work in progress and could certainly use some more shooting, length and perimeter-defensive prowess.
Starting salary: $2,869,320
[h=2]15. Phoenix Suns (via Bucks)[/h]
Kevin Knox
Kentucky
Age: 18.6
SF/PF
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 205
The Suns will likely be looking to add athleticism, shooting and length at the forward positions, where they don't have much depth outside of Josh Jackson and TJ Warren.
Knox hasn't had an efficient freshman season, partially due to playing out of position, but there's a significant market in the NBA for combo forwards in his mold who can make an open shot, defend multiple positions and offer some offensive versatility. He's one of the youngest players in this draft, so he still has plenty of room to grow.
Starting salary: $2,725,680
Phoenix will receive Milwaukee's pick if it lands in Nos. 11-16.
[h=2]16. Phoenix Suns (via Heat)[/h]
Zhaire Smith
Texas Tech
Age: 18.7
SF
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 195
Phoenix could look to continue to add length, athleticism and energy on the defensive end of the floor with the long-armed and explosive Smith.
Originally expected to be more of a 2019 draft candidate, Smith might have accelerated that timeline by helping Texas Tech reach the Sweet 16. He already was rumored to be interested in exploring his pro prospects, even before this past weekend. Smith needs to continue to develop his ballhandling and perimeter shooting, but he's one of the best athletes in this draft, and his trajectory as a prospect suggests he has considerable upside left.
Starting salary: $2,589,480
Phoenix will receive Miami's pick if it is outside the top seven.
[h=2]17. Indiana Pacers[/h]
Keita Bates-Diop
Ohio State
Age: 22.1
SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 235
Unless a major upgrade at point guard presents itself, shooting and depth at the wing/combo forward spots will likely be priorities for the Pacers this offseason, similar to most teams in the NBA.
Bates-Diop has increased his stock dramatically with a breakout season. He has been moving among all of the frontcourt positions for overachieving Ohio State and looks like an ideal fit for the modern NBA, if he can find a way to rev his motor into higher gear at the professional level.
Starting salary: $2,460,000
[h=2]18. Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans)[/h]
Daniel Gafford
Arkansas
Age: 19.4
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 234
With Robin Lopez approaching the final year of his contract, the Bulls could certainly be in the market for an athletic center who can protect the rim and make plays around the basket.
Gafford's tremendous physical tools and significant upside give him lottery potential. It's somewhere he might still end up at with a strong pre-draft process, but for now, the glut of big men is pushing him down.
Starting salary: $2,337,000
The Bulls will receive New Orleans' pick if it falls outside the top five.
[h=2]19. Utah Jazz[/h]
Anfernee Simons
IMG Academy (HS)
Age: 18.7
SG
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 183
The Jazz might look for a versatile guard who can operate in different lineups without dominating the ball alongside Donovan Mitchell. Simons is one of the least NBA-ready players in the draft, but he's intriguing due to his combination of youth, explosiveness and shot-making prowess.
He's a few years away from panning out, but at this stage of the draft, there isn't much risk, and adding a prospect with his upside would be intriguing.
Starting salary: $2,231,760
[h=2]20. San Antonio Spurs[/h]
Mitchell Robinson
College: None
Age: 19.9
C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 215
With the Spurs' incumbent big men starters both in their mid-30s and no clear-cut successor-in-waiting, it might make sense for San Antonio's front office to consider drafting a project center to develop long term.
Robinson is one of the most talented prospects in the draft physically -- with impressive length, athleticism and shot-blocking instincts -- but is far away from contributing. The fact that he elected not to play college basketball this season won't help his NBA readiness, but at some point in the draft, he's worth taking a gamble on as a developmental project.
Starting salary: $2,142,360
[h=2]21. Washington Wizards[/h]
Troy Brown
Oregon
Age: 18.6
SG
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 210
Washington's wing rotation could certainly use more depth, and Brown's versatility as a big ball handler, defender and rebounder is intriguing in a league that is starved for players at his position.
Brown's inconsistency as a perimeter shooter has made it difficult for him to fully break out, but being the third-youngest player in this draft class means he still has time to address that.
Starting salary: $2,056,680
[h=2]22. Atlanta Hawks (via Wolves)[/h]
Dzanan Musa
Cedevita
Age: 18.8
SF
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 195
With the second of their three first-round picks, the Hawks might look to add some depth at forward.
Musa's size, scoring instincts and aggressiveness could be intriguing at this stage of the draft. He's one of the youngest players in this class, but he already is productive in Europe, playing at a fairly high level.
Starting salary: $1,974,480
Atlanta will receive Minnesota's pick if it is outside the lottery.
[h=2]23. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavs)[/h]
Aaron Holiday
UCLA
Age: 21.4
PG
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 187
Even with Lonzo Ball in place, the Lakers should be looking to solidify their backcourt rotation and add more shooting, ballhandling, defensive intensity and athleticism. Ball's size gives him the ability to operate alongside another combo guard, and it would be beneficial for him to have scoring to take the pressure off.
Holiday has broken through in a major way, and he would bring a number of attractive traits with his microwave scoring ability, long wingspan and toughness.
Starting salary: $1,895,520
The Lakers will receive Cleveland's pick if it is outside the top three.
[h=2]24. Philadelphia 76ers[/h]
Khyri Thomas
Creighton
Age: 21.8
SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Thomas is one of the better defenders in college basketball, capable of guarding three positions with his 6-foot-11 wingspan. He's also a willing ball mover, a promising spot-up shooter and exactly the type of gritty, unselfish character NBA teams covet in role players.
The Sixers have seen their wing depth stretched thin this season and might look to bolster their rotation with a player in Thomas' mold.
Starting salary: $1,819,800
[h=2]25. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder)[/h]
Jacob Evans
Cincinnati
Age: 20.7
SG/SF
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 210
Minnesota's wing rotation will need to be shored up over the summer.
Evans is an ultra-versatile player who guards all over the floor, plays on and off the ball for Cincinnati and sports a career 38 percent mark from 3-point territory at the college level.
Starting salary: $1,746,840
Minnesota will receive Oklahoma City's pick if it is outside the lottery.
[h=2]26. Portland Trail Blazers[/h]
Chandler Hutchison
Boise State
Age: 21.8
SG/SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 193
Portland's wing rotation could use some added depth.
Hutchison has made significant strides with his game as a senior. He looks primed to take advantage of the lack of wings in the draft -- and the NBA in general -- this June. He has outstanding physical tools and is a much-improved ball handler and perimeter shooter.
Starting salary: $1,689,000
[h=2]27. Boston Celtics[/h]
De'Anthony Melton
USC
Age: 19.8
PG/SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195
The Celtics have a tough decision in front of them with Marcus Smart entering free agency, and they might need to find a less expensive backcourt option to avoid luxury tax issues.
Melton looked to be on the verge of a breakout season for USC before the FBI's investigation into recruiting shut him down indefinitely. His defensive versatility, toughness and intangibles make him a prospect worth investing in.
Starting salary: $1,640,400
[h=2]28. Brooklyn Nets (via Raptors)[/h]
Tyus Battle
Syracuse
Age: 20.4
SG/SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 204
The Nets are still figuring out what their long-term wing rotation will look like and could very well take a flier on a player such as Battle at the end of the first round.
He's a solid-sized shooting guard with smooth athleticism and a frame that will fill out nicely in time. He improved considerably as a half-court creator as a sophomore, even if his efficiency leaves a lot to be desired.
Starting salary: $1,630,320
Brooklyn will receive Toronto's pick if it is outside the lottery.
[h=2]29. Golden State Warriors[/h]
Bruce Brown
Miami
Age: 21.5
SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
The Warriors are way over the luxury tax and will want to find contributors on cheap rookie contracts.
Although he had a disappointing season that ended with an injury, Brown is a willing passer, lockdown defender and gritty rebounder, and he has shown enough promise with his jump shot at times to lead you to believe he will become adequate here eventually. There's a significant market for players in his mold, provided he has a strong pre-draft process (if he chooses to enter the draft).
Starting salary: $1,618,320
[h=2]30. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets)[/h]
Devonte' Graham
Kansas
Age: 23.0
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
With their third and final first-round pick, the Hawks might look to add some backcourt depth, specifically someone who can play behind or alongside incumbent starters Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore.
Graham is a ready-made role player, thanks to his terrific experience playing winning basketball at Kansas for four years. He's a 41 percent 3-point shooter and a multipositional defender who ranked third in the country in assists.
Starting salary: $1,606,680
Atlanta will receive Houston's pick if it is outside the top three.
[h=2]Second round[/h]31. Suns
Jalen Brunson | PG | Age: 21.5 | Villanova
32. Hawks
Melvin Frazier | SF | Age: 21.5 | Tulane
33. Grizzlies
Grayson Allen | SG | Age: 22.4 | Duke
34. Magic
Landry Shamet | PG | Age: 21.0 | Wichita St
35. Kings
Hamidou Diallo | SG | Age: 19.6 | Kentucky
36. Mavericks
Shake Milton | PG/SG | Age: 21.4 | SMU
37. 76ers (via Nets)
Chimezie Metu | PF/C | Age: 20.9 | USC
38. Knicks (via Bulls)
Jalen Hudson | SG | Age: 21.8 | Florida
39. 76ers (via Knicks)
Jerome Robinson | PG | Age: 21.0 | Boston College
40. Magic (via Hornets)
Jevon Carter | PG | Age: 22.5 | West Virginia
41. Pistons
Tony Carr | PG | Age: 20.4 | Penn St
42. Nets (via Lakers)
Trevon Duval | PG | Age: 19.6 | Duke
43. Lakers (via Nuggets)
Rodions Kurucs | SF/PF | Age: 20.1 | Barcelona
44. Nuggets (via Clippers)
Gary Trent Jr. | SG | Age: 19.1 | Duke
45. Nets (via Bucks)
Elie Okobo | PG | Age: 20.4 | Pau-Orthez
46. Rockets (via Heat)
Kevin Hervey | SF | Age: 21.6 | Texas Arlington
47. Pacers
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk | SG | Age: 20.7 | Kansas
48. Pelicans
Isaac Bonga | SF | Age: 18.3 | Frankfurt
49. Jazz
Moritz Wagner | C | Age: 20.8 | Michigan
50. Spurs
Rawle Alkins | SG | Age: 20.3 | Arizona
51. Wizards
Ray Spalding | PF | Age: 21.0 | Louisville
52. Wolves
Brandon McCoy | C | Age: 19.7 | UNLV
53. Hornets (via Cavs)
Vincent Edwards | SF/PF | Age: 21.9 | Purdue
54. 76ers
DJ Hogg | SF/PF | Age: 21.5 | Texas A&M
55. Thunder
Arnoldas Kulboka | SF | Age: 20.2 | Capo D'Orlando
56. Mavericks (via Blazers)
Devon Hall | SG | Age: 22.6 | Virginia
57. Thunder (via Celtics)
Alize Johnson | PF | Age: 21.9 | Missouri St
58. Suns (via Raptors)
Bonzie Colson | PF | Age: 22.1 | Notre Dame
59. Nuggets (via Warriors)
MiKyle McIntosh | SF/PF | Age: 23.6 | Oregon
60. 76ers (via Rockets)
Amine Noua | PF | Age: 21.1 | Villeurbanne
Editor's note (March 20): This mock draft has been updated with the latest intel.
How has the shape of the NBA draft changed with many of the likely lottery picks out of the NCAA tournament?
Let's look at where the top prospects -- including Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Mohamed Bamba and Marvin Bagley III -- might land.
Our mock draft differs in two crucial ways from our recently updated top 100 prospect rankings. It uses ESPN's BPI to project the draft order, and it's adjusted for NBA team needs accordingly. It also attempts to project which players will ultimately end up declaring and keeping their names in the draft.
[h=2]1. Phoenix Suns[/h]
Arizona
Age: 19.6
C
Height: 7 feet | Weight: 243
Ayton was beginning to answer some of the questions scouts have had about him since high school with a string of dominant performances down the stretch. Unfortunately, the way he ended the season brought many of those question marks back to light. Physically, he's one of the most gifted prospects we've seen in the draft in the past few years, and he has an impressive skill level, to boot.
Phoenix, the worst defensive team in the NBA, will be right to question Ayton's impact on that end of the floor, but his sheer productivity makes it difficult to not slot him at the top of this class.
Starting salary: $8,095,680
[h=2]2. Atlanta Hawks[/h]
Real Madrid
Age: 19.0
PG
Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 228
After playing 80 games in the 2016-17 season, Doncic went straight into preparation for EuroBasket, which extended deep into September, giving him no offseason whatsoever. His body is paying the toll for that now, as he clearly hit a wall in February and was recently shut down by Real Madrid for at least a couple of weeks. It will be intriguing to see if Doncic can regain his early-season form heading into the EuroLeague and ACB playoffs, which will help him re-establish his candidacy for the No. 1 pick.
Doncic would be a dream selection for the Hawks because he has the size, skill and versatility to fit in well alongside all their existing talent, while also possessing star potential in his own right.
Starting salary: $7,243,440
[h=2]3. Memphis Grizzlies[/h]
Duke
Age: 19.0
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 234
Considering their aging core, financial woes and precarious ownership situation, the Grizzlies will likely be looking to return to playoff contention as quickly as possible. With a rim-protecting 3-point shooter in Marc Gasol already in the fold, this is one of the few places in the lottery in which Bagley could actually fit in very nicely alongside another big man and not be pigeonholed into the center position, where his poor defense might be a real concern.
Bagley's athleticism, motor, rebounding, finishing ability and overall productivity will be very attractive here.
Starting salary: $6,504,600
[h=2]4. Orlando Magic[/h]
Michigan State
Age: 18.5
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 240
The youngest projected first-rounder, Jackson might have the highest ceiling in terms of his ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. He has enviable physical tools, including a 7-foot-4 wingspan and tremendous mobility. Jackson's ability to space the floor (40 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line), block shots (5.7 per 40 minutes), switch on every screen and, increasingly, put the ball on the floor from the perimeter makes him an ideal fit for the modern NBA.
It's easy to see Jackson manning the center position for Orlando in a frontcourt alongside the equally versatile Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. He also could play together at times with Nikola Vucevic, who sorely needs an athletic, defensive-oriented big man alongside him to make up for his shortcomings on that end of the court.
Starting salary: $5,864,640
[h=2]5. Sacramento Kings[/h]
Texas
Age: 19.8
C
Height: 7-0 | Weight: 207
None of the Kings' big men have emerged as franchise cornerstones at this stage, meaning it would be foolish to pass on a top-tier talent due to positional concerns.
Bamba will get some looks higher than this, as well, given his rare combination of length, shot-blocking instincts and offensive promise. Every team in the NBA is looking for a big man who can anchor a defense. That includes the Kings, who have struggled on that end of the floor all season.
Starting salary: $5,310,720
[h=2]6. Dallas Mavericks[/h]
Duke
Age: 18.9
C
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 259
The Mavs could certainly use help in the frontcourt, and Carter's basketball IQ and versatility are promising in a number of ways. He is a physically mature big man with a 259-pound frame and a 7-foot-3 wingspan, which will allow him to play the center position in the NBA with ease.
He is a polished player with excellent hands and touch around the basket and has demonstrated a nice blend of passing, shot-blocking and perimeter shooting, despite being overshadowed at times by fellow big man Marvin Bagley III.
Starting salary: $4,823,520
[h=2]7. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets)[/h]
Missouri
Age: 19.7
SF/PF
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 214
With an uncertain future on the horizon due to LeBron James' free agency, the Cavs will need to stockpile as much talent as they can, regardless of their hopes of keeping the King at home.
Porter came into the season with the hope of making a run at being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to build his case because of a back injury. Porter's size, shot-creation skill and scoring instincts will nevertheless make him a coveted prospect next June. He is a playmaker on both ends of the floor and is just starting to figure out how to put his talent to full use.
Starting salary: $4,403,280
Cleveland will receive Brooklyn's first-round pick unprotected.
[h=2]8. Chicago Bulls[/h]
Oklahoma
Age: 19.4
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 176
Kris Dunn has had a breakout season for the Bulls, but he could certainly use some backcourt help due to his inconsistent jump shot and shaky decision-making skills.
Young looks like a nice backcourt pairing with his ability to navigate pick-and-rolls, make shots off the dribble and find the open man with impressive creativity. Having the luxury of hiding him defensively will be a key to his early success, and Dunn can defend either guard spot.
Starting salary: $4,033,800
[h=2]9. New York Knicks[/h]
Alabama
Age: 19.2
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 183
Frank Ntilikina has had some nice rookie moments, but the Knicks are finding out that the long-armed, 6-foot-5 guard seems better suited playing alongside a more dominant ball handler and shot creator who can take some of the scoring responsibilities off his shoulders.
Enter Sexton, with his tremendous aggressiveness driving the lane, taking off-the-dribble jumpers and putting defensive pressure on opposing guards. NBA teams have some concerns about Sexton's decision-making and reckless style of play. Fiercely competitive, Sexton has shown enough flashes in the right areas to be comfortably projected as a starting-caliber point guard, with plenty of upside to grow into.
Starting salary: $3,708,120
[h=2]10. Charlotte Hornets[/h]
Villanova
Age: 21.5
SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 200
The Hornets are still searching for long-term answers on the wing, where they've rotated a number of players in and out of the starting lineup all season, partially due to injuries.
Bridges is an easy player to slot on almost any NBA roster, thanks to his multipositional defensive versatility, 3-point shooting and role-player potential. He isn't as gifted a shot creator as you'd like from a top-10 pick, so the Hornets will have to continue to rebuild their roster using other assets.
Starting salary: $3,522,480
[h=2]11. LA Clippers (via Pistons)[/h]
Texas A&M
Age: 20.4
PF/C
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 237
Williams reminded everyone why he was such a highly touted prospect entering the season with a tremendous opening weekend in the NCAA tournament, helping Texas A&M reach the Sweet 16.
Despite playing out of position all season, he has shown that his game is tailor-made for the NBA as a rim-running, pick-and-roll-finishing, shot-blocker/offensive rebounder in the Clint Capela mold. With DeAndre Jordan in the final year of his contract, the Clippers could certainly look to Williams as a potential successor.
Starting salary: $3,346,560
The Clippers will receive Detroit's pick if it falls outside the top four.
[h=2]12. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)[/h]
Michigan State
Age: 19.9
SF/PF
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 226
The Sixers are likely in line to draft in the lottery due to the shrewd Michael Carter-Williams trade made by Sam Hinkie three years ago.
Bridges is arguably the best athlete in this draft and plays a coveted position as a two-way forward who can guard all over the floor, something that should be appealing to Philadelphia. He converted 38 percent of his 3-pointers in college, but his lack of improvement as a ball handler is hampering his draft stock after making a disappointing early exit from the NCAA tournament. He isn't as gifted a shot creator as you'd like, but if he's playing alongside the likes of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, he probably won't need to be.
Starting salary: $3,179,280
Philadelphia will receive the Lakers' pick if it lands at No. 1 or Nos. 6-30. Otherwise, the pick goes to Boston.
[h=2]13. Denver Nuggets[/h]
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kentucky
Age: 19.6
PG/SG
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 171
The Nuggets are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and will likely be looking to add multipositional versatility to their backcourt, which has been inconsistent on that end of the floor.
Gilgeous-Alexander has the size, length, defensive prowess and unselfishness needed to operate as a role player alongside a variety of guards. His offense has made significant strides as the season has moved on, helping him surprisingly emerge as arguably Kentucky's best top long-term prospect.
Starting salary: $3,020,280
[h=2]14. LA Clippers[/h]
Miami
Age: 19.2
SG
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 206
Walker didn't have a consistent or efficient freshman season, but his talent, combined with the lack of depth at his position, is keeping his name in the top-20 conversation. His youth, strong frame, 6-10? wingspan and ability to shoot with his feet set or off the dribble make him a candidate to rise during the pre-draft process as teams search for upside and diamonds in the rough.
The Clippers' wing rotation is a major work in progress and could certainly use some more shooting, length and perimeter-defensive prowess.
Starting salary: $2,869,320
[h=2]15. Phoenix Suns (via Bucks)[/h]
Kentucky
Age: 18.6
SF/PF
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 205
The Suns will likely be looking to add athleticism, shooting and length at the forward positions, where they don't have much depth outside of Josh Jackson and TJ Warren.
Knox hasn't had an efficient freshman season, partially due to playing out of position, but there's a significant market in the NBA for combo forwards in his mold who can make an open shot, defend multiple positions and offer some offensive versatility. He's one of the youngest players in this draft, so he still has plenty of room to grow.
Starting salary: $2,725,680
Phoenix will receive Milwaukee's pick if it lands in Nos. 11-16.
[h=2]16. Phoenix Suns (via Heat)[/h]
Texas Tech
Age: 18.7
SF
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 195
Phoenix could look to continue to add length, athleticism and energy on the defensive end of the floor with the long-armed and explosive Smith.
Originally expected to be more of a 2019 draft candidate, Smith might have accelerated that timeline by helping Texas Tech reach the Sweet 16. He already was rumored to be interested in exploring his pro prospects, even before this past weekend. Smith needs to continue to develop his ballhandling and perimeter shooting, but he's one of the best athletes in this draft, and his trajectory as a prospect suggests he has considerable upside left.
Starting salary: $2,589,480
Phoenix will receive Miami's pick if it is outside the top seven.
[h=2]17. Indiana Pacers[/h]
Keita Bates-Diop
Ohio State
Age: 22.1
SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 235
Unless a major upgrade at point guard presents itself, shooting and depth at the wing/combo forward spots will likely be priorities for the Pacers this offseason, similar to most teams in the NBA.
Bates-Diop has increased his stock dramatically with a breakout season. He has been moving among all of the frontcourt positions for overachieving Ohio State and looks like an ideal fit for the modern NBA, if he can find a way to rev his motor into higher gear at the professional level.
Starting salary: $2,460,000
[h=2]18. Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans)[/h]
Daniel Gafford
Arkansas
Age: 19.4
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 234
With Robin Lopez approaching the final year of his contract, the Bulls could certainly be in the market for an athletic center who can protect the rim and make plays around the basket.
Gafford's tremendous physical tools and significant upside give him lottery potential. It's somewhere he might still end up at with a strong pre-draft process, but for now, the glut of big men is pushing him down.
Starting salary: $2,337,000
The Bulls will receive New Orleans' pick if it falls outside the top five.
[h=2]19. Utah Jazz[/h]
Anfernee Simons
IMG Academy (HS)
Age: 18.7
SG
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 183
The Jazz might look for a versatile guard who can operate in different lineups without dominating the ball alongside Donovan Mitchell. Simons is one of the least NBA-ready players in the draft, but he's intriguing due to his combination of youth, explosiveness and shot-making prowess.
He's a few years away from panning out, but at this stage of the draft, there isn't much risk, and adding a prospect with his upside would be intriguing.
Starting salary: $2,231,760
[h=2]20. San Antonio Spurs[/h]
Mitchell Robinson
College: None
Age: 19.9
C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 215
With the Spurs' incumbent big men starters both in their mid-30s and no clear-cut successor-in-waiting, it might make sense for San Antonio's front office to consider drafting a project center to develop long term.
Robinson is one of the most talented prospects in the draft physically -- with impressive length, athleticism and shot-blocking instincts -- but is far away from contributing. The fact that he elected not to play college basketball this season won't help his NBA readiness, but at some point in the draft, he's worth taking a gamble on as a developmental project.
Starting salary: $2,142,360
[h=2]21. Washington Wizards[/h]
Troy Brown
Oregon
Age: 18.6
SG
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 210
Washington's wing rotation could certainly use more depth, and Brown's versatility as a big ball handler, defender and rebounder is intriguing in a league that is starved for players at his position.
Brown's inconsistency as a perimeter shooter has made it difficult for him to fully break out, but being the third-youngest player in this draft class means he still has time to address that.
Starting salary: $2,056,680
[h=2]22. Atlanta Hawks (via Wolves)[/h]
Cedevita
Age: 18.8
SF
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 195
With the second of their three first-round picks, the Hawks might look to add some depth at forward.
Musa's size, scoring instincts and aggressiveness could be intriguing at this stage of the draft. He's one of the youngest players in this class, but he already is productive in Europe, playing at a fairly high level.
Starting salary: $1,974,480
Atlanta will receive Minnesota's pick if it is outside the lottery.
[h=2]23. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavs)[/h]
Aaron Holiday
UCLA
Age: 21.4
PG
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 187
Even with Lonzo Ball in place, the Lakers should be looking to solidify their backcourt rotation and add more shooting, ballhandling, defensive intensity and athleticism. Ball's size gives him the ability to operate alongside another combo guard, and it would be beneficial for him to have scoring to take the pressure off.
Holiday has broken through in a major way, and he would bring a number of attractive traits with his microwave scoring ability, long wingspan and toughness.
Starting salary: $1,895,520
The Lakers will receive Cleveland's pick if it is outside the top three.
[h=2]24. Philadelphia 76ers[/h]
Khyri Thomas
Creighton
Age: 21.8
SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Thomas is one of the better defenders in college basketball, capable of guarding three positions with his 6-foot-11 wingspan. He's also a willing ball mover, a promising spot-up shooter and exactly the type of gritty, unselfish character NBA teams covet in role players.
The Sixers have seen their wing depth stretched thin this season and might look to bolster their rotation with a player in Thomas' mold.
Starting salary: $1,819,800
[h=2]25. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder)[/h]
Cincinnati
Age: 20.7
SG/SF
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 210
Minnesota's wing rotation will need to be shored up over the summer.
Evans is an ultra-versatile player who guards all over the floor, plays on and off the ball for Cincinnati and sports a career 38 percent mark from 3-point territory at the college level.
Starting salary: $1,746,840
Minnesota will receive Oklahoma City's pick if it is outside the lottery.
[h=2]26. Portland Trail Blazers[/h]
Chandler Hutchison
Boise State
Age: 21.8
SG/SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 193
Portland's wing rotation could use some added depth.
Hutchison has made significant strides with his game as a senior. He looks primed to take advantage of the lack of wings in the draft -- and the NBA in general -- this June. He has outstanding physical tools and is a much-improved ball handler and perimeter shooter.
Starting salary: $1,689,000
[h=2]27. Boston Celtics[/h]
De'Anthony Melton
USC
Age: 19.8
PG/SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195
The Celtics have a tough decision in front of them with Marcus Smart entering free agency, and they might need to find a less expensive backcourt option to avoid luxury tax issues.
Melton looked to be on the verge of a breakout season for USC before the FBI's investigation into recruiting shut him down indefinitely. His defensive versatility, toughness and intangibles make him a prospect worth investing in.
Starting salary: $1,640,400
[h=2]28. Brooklyn Nets (via Raptors)[/h]
Tyus Battle
Syracuse
Age: 20.4
SG/SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 204
The Nets are still figuring out what their long-term wing rotation will look like and could very well take a flier on a player such as Battle at the end of the first round.
He's a solid-sized shooting guard with smooth athleticism and a frame that will fill out nicely in time. He improved considerably as a half-court creator as a sophomore, even if his efficiency leaves a lot to be desired.
Starting salary: $1,630,320
Brooklyn will receive Toronto's pick if it is outside the lottery.
[h=2]29. Golden State Warriors[/h]
Miami
Age: 21.5
SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
The Warriors are way over the luxury tax and will want to find contributors on cheap rookie contracts.
Although he had a disappointing season that ended with an injury, Brown is a willing passer, lockdown defender and gritty rebounder, and he has shown enough promise with his jump shot at times to lead you to believe he will become adequate here eventually. There's a significant market for players in his mold, provided he has a strong pre-draft process (if he chooses to enter the draft).
Starting salary: $1,618,320
[h=2]30. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets)[/h]
Devonte' Graham
Kansas
Age: 23.0
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
With their third and final first-round pick, the Hawks might look to add some backcourt depth, specifically someone who can play behind or alongside incumbent starters Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore.
Graham is a ready-made role player, thanks to his terrific experience playing winning basketball at Kansas for four years. He's a 41 percent 3-point shooter and a multipositional defender who ranked third in the country in assists.
Starting salary: $1,606,680
Atlanta will receive Houston's pick if it is outside the top three.
[h=2]Second round[/h]31. Suns
Jalen Brunson | PG | Age: 21.5 | Villanova
32. Hawks
Melvin Frazier | SF | Age: 21.5 | Tulane
33. Grizzlies
Grayson Allen | SG | Age: 22.4 | Duke
34. Magic
Landry Shamet | PG | Age: 21.0 | Wichita St
35. Kings
Hamidou Diallo | SG | Age: 19.6 | Kentucky
36. Mavericks
Shake Milton | PG/SG | Age: 21.4 | SMU
37. 76ers (via Nets)
Chimezie Metu | PF/C | Age: 20.9 | USC
38. Knicks (via Bulls)
Jalen Hudson | SG | Age: 21.8 | Florida
39. 76ers (via Knicks)
Jerome Robinson | PG | Age: 21.0 | Boston College
40. Magic (via Hornets)
Jevon Carter | PG | Age: 22.5 | West Virginia
41. Pistons
Tony Carr | PG | Age: 20.4 | Penn St
42. Nets (via Lakers)
Trevon Duval | PG | Age: 19.6 | Duke
43. Lakers (via Nuggets)
Rodions Kurucs | SF/PF | Age: 20.1 | Barcelona
44. Nuggets (via Clippers)
Gary Trent Jr. | SG | Age: 19.1 | Duke
45. Nets (via Bucks)
Elie Okobo | PG | Age: 20.4 | Pau-Orthez
46. Rockets (via Heat)
Kevin Hervey | SF | Age: 21.6 | Texas Arlington
47. Pacers
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk | SG | Age: 20.7 | Kansas
48. Pelicans
Isaac Bonga | SF | Age: 18.3 | Frankfurt
49. Jazz
Moritz Wagner | C | Age: 20.8 | Michigan
50. Spurs
Rawle Alkins | SG | Age: 20.3 | Arizona
51. Wizards
Ray Spalding | PF | Age: 21.0 | Louisville
52. Wolves
Brandon McCoy | C | Age: 19.7 | UNLV
53. Hornets (via Cavs)
Vincent Edwards | SF/PF | Age: 21.9 | Purdue
54. 76ers
DJ Hogg | SF/PF | Age: 21.5 | Texas A&M
55. Thunder
Arnoldas Kulboka | SF | Age: 20.2 | Capo D'Orlando
56. Mavericks (via Blazers)
Devon Hall | SG | Age: 22.6 | Virginia
57. Thunder (via Celtics)
Alize Johnson | PF | Age: 21.9 | Missouri St
58. Suns (via Raptors)
Bonzie Colson | PF | Age: 22.1 | Notre Dame
59. Nuggets (via Warriors)
MiKyle McIntosh | SF/PF | Age: 23.6 | Oregon
60. 76ers (via Rockets)
Amine Noua | PF | Age: 21.1 | Villeurbanne
mafra
Legend
Nets win 110-109 in MIA!
27-50 (Knicks)
25-51 (Nets, Bulls)
Knicks have 5 games remaining, while both Nets & Bulls have 6 left.
Nets & Bulls have a home/away back-2-back against each other.
Knicks play at home 4/5 games... last 2 games of season vs CLE. They host ORL, MIA, & MIL... chances are they?ll win 1 game...
So...
Here we go....
Jostling for the 7-8-9 spots will go down to the wire.
27-50 (Knicks)
25-51 (Nets, Bulls)
Knicks have 5 games remaining, while both Nets & Bulls have 6 left.
Nets & Bulls have a home/away back-2-back against each other.
Knicks play at home 4/5 games... last 2 games of season vs CLE. They host ORL, MIA, & MIL... chances are they?ll win 1 game...
So...
Here we go....
Jostling for the 7-8-9 spots will go down to the wire.
Watch the Bulls start randomly sitting guys again and watch us rip victory from the jaws of defeat against Orlando courtesy of Tin Can Hardaway
Nice Mock Draft Tiger .....
It does not matter whether the Knicks pick at 7 or 11 in the upcoming draft .. what does matter for the Knicks are what Forward position they will select first n second in the upcoming draft.
The Knicks are in desperate need of a scoring rebounding defensive-minded PF n SF !!!
Sorry Knicks fans but KP has never been a starter or finisher in the NBA .. the clarity of KP being 7.3 is all good but KP b.ball mentality of being a center or PF in the NBA is very poor when u watch KP movement on the court at either position. I was hoping KP would have had a full season by being mentored in a lineup by Kanter then Noah throughout the 2017-18 season.
KP did well on offense tandem in a lineup with Kanter but the two bigmen defense stunk.
For some unnatural reason the tandem of KP n Noah in a lineup never happen in two Knicks seasons .. WHY? when Noah's high b.ball IQ would have been the best mentor for KP NBA growth.
The Knicks do not need anymore Guards out of the draft when their biggest liability in their performance lies at the forward position.
It does not matter whether the Knicks pick at 7 or 11 in the upcoming draft .. what does matter for the Knicks are what Forward position they will select first n second in the upcoming draft.
The Knicks are in desperate need of a scoring rebounding defensive-minded PF n SF !!!
Sorry Knicks fans but KP has never been a starter or finisher in the NBA .. the clarity of KP being 7.3 is all good but KP b.ball mentality of being a center or PF in the NBA is very poor when u watch KP movement on the court at either position. I was hoping KP would have had a full season by being mentored in a lineup by Kanter then Noah throughout the 2017-18 season.
KP did well on offense tandem in a lineup with Kanter but the two bigmen defense stunk.
For some unnatural reason the tandem of KP n Noah in a lineup never happen in two Knicks seasons .. WHY? when Noah's high b.ball IQ would have been the best mentor for KP NBA growth.
The Knicks do not need anymore Guards out of the draft when their biggest liability in their performance lies at the forward position.
These type of players can be extremely valuable, he reminds me of a Frank Mason type almost a straight up clone. He's probably going before the second round though but if not he's going early second. Another reason a team should want to finish higher in the draft because there is a second round. High 1st round and High 2nd is a must when your team sucks and has to rebuild. I'll check PST site real quick and see where do we stand with pick(s)
There are 5 wildcard players I think we should be looking at, come pick 9.
I know for a fact we're going to dangle #9 and Mudiay/Frank to move up and I wager the target will either be Young or Bridges
Well somewhat good news appears we own Bulls and Clippers 2nd round picks(#38 and #44) this coming draft. Philly owns ours. Kendall Stephens should be a target for one of those picks...kid can flat out shoot
I'm on board for Mikal Bridges or any top 3 and D wing. Celts built that #1 D of theirs with those type of guys Brown, Tatum, Smart we should follow suit by drafting guys like that, they seem to be able to slide in guys at PG like Rozier and Larkin hardly missing a beat w/o Kyrie.
Every time i see Brunson performance at the point he reminds me so much of St John's Mark Jackson .. the NO Pelicans need Brunson type of skills to help Cousins n Davis perform at the next level.
The Knicks have three well performing Combo-Guards that could lead the point and create dimes for teammates plus keep a low level of turnovers if the Knicks had a coaching system to rely on in a halfcourt or uptempo offense in Frank Nitty/Mudiay/and Baker, plus the Knicks have two well performing PG in Starter Jack and Finisher Trey Burke.
The Knicks has a inconsistent scoring guard in Tim Hardaway Jr who defensive effort has always been a liability to the team.
CLee need to be traded or put on the bench as a 13th man for injury purpose.
Dotson never receive any basic playingtime throughout the season to be evaluated. X
mafra
Legend
"The 2018 high school senior class is considered one of the weakest in some time, and with the international crop looking fairly shallow (once again), NBA teams aren't overly optimistic early about about the way the 2019 draft is shaping up thus far, particularly within the top 10, but also in terms of first-round depth," ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony wrote.
Still, the top five projected picks on Givony's board for 2019 and eight of the Top 10 were on the rosters of either the McDonald's or Jordan Games.
According to that mock, the Knicks are currently projected to pick sixth in 2019, and ESPN has them taking 6-foot-11 power forward Luka Samanic of Barcelona 2.
Much can change between now and then, though, so the Knicks' brass wants to get a look at as many top players as possible.
The top three projected picks in 2019 are all committed to Duke: 6-7 wing R.J. Barrett, the Gatorade and Naismith Player of the Year who is widely projected as the No. 1 pick; 6-7 wing Cam Reddish; and 6-6 power forward Zion Williamson.
Though both Barrett and Williamson played in the McDonald's Game, both are out for the Jordan Classic. Barrett is resting this weekend, while Williamson has a cast on his right thumb after suffering an injury in the McDonald's Game.
Among the other top projected picks are 6-6 North Carolina-bound small forward Nassir Little, the MVP of the McDonald's Game; 6-6 uncommitted shooting guard Romeo Langford, who is considering Kansas, Indiana and Vanderbilt; 6-4 Kansas-bound shooting guard Quentin Grimes; 7-2 Oregon-bound center Bol Bol, son of the late Manute Bol; and 6-8 Oregon-bound wing Louis King, who is missing both games with a knee injury.
Theknicksblog
Still, the top five projected picks on Givony's board for 2019 and eight of the Top 10 were on the rosters of either the McDonald's or Jordan Games.
According to that mock, the Knicks are currently projected to pick sixth in 2019, and ESPN has them taking 6-foot-11 power forward Luka Samanic of Barcelona 2.
Much can change between now and then, though, so the Knicks' brass wants to get a look at as many top players as possible.
The top three projected picks in 2019 are all committed to Duke: 6-7 wing R.J. Barrett, the Gatorade and Naismith Player of the Year who is widely projected as the No. 1 pick; 6-7 wing Cam Reddish; and 6-6 power forward Zion Williamson.
Though both Barrett and Williamson played in the McDonald's Game, both are out for the Jordan Classic. Barrett is resting this weekend, while Williamson has a cast on his right thumb after suffering an injury in the McDonald's Game.
Among the other top projected picks are 6-6 North Carolina-bound small forward Nassir Little, the MVP of the McDonald's Game; 6-6 uncommitted shooting guard Romeo Langford, who is considering Kansas, Indiana and Vanderbilt; 6-4 Kansas-bound shooting guard Quentin Grimes; 7-2 Oregon-bound center Bol Bol, son of the late Manute Bol; and 6-8 Oregon-bound wing Louis King, who is missing both games with a knee injury.
Theknicksblog
We were doing our best to 1-Up ESPN and failed on the 32wins. Will ESPN give us some kind of special Ribbon of SUCK for this?
Only hope is to get lucky and win the lottery(land Top 3), tried to told y'all this guy was pretty much a target at all cost. OH WELL at least we got the BURKESTER :rolling::rolling::rolling:
Only hope is to get lucky and win the lottery(land Top 3), tried to told y'all this guy was pretty much a target at all cost. OH WELL at least we got the BURKESTER :rolling::rolling::rolling:
mafra
Legend
?We need talent, we need athletic players and the position will determine who we pick but in an ideal world, we?d like to get a wing player,? Mills said.
Villanova's Mikal Bridges, Michigan State's Miles Bridges and Kentucky's Kevin Knox are among the wing players projected to be chosen in that range
If the Knicks stick at their current ninth seed, Villanova small forward Mikal Bridges, fresh off an NCAA title, will probably be available and they have interest. They also are intrigued by the larger upside of Michigan State?s Miles Bridges.
The lottery is Tuesday in Chicago and the Knicks have a 6.2 percent change of jumping into the top three with a crack at European stud Luka Doncic, whom Mills and Perry scouted in Spain two weeks ago.
?He?s the real deal,?? said one NBA source familiar with the Knicks thinking.
Villanova's Mikal Bridges, Michigan State's Miles Bridges and Kentucky's Kevin Knox are among the wing players projected to be chosen in that range
If the Knicks stick at their current ninth seed, Villanova small forward Mikal Bridges, fresh off an NCAA title, will probably be available and they have interest. They also are intrigued by the larger upside of Michigan State?s Miles Bridges.
The lottery is Tuesday in Chicago and the Knicks have a 6.2 percent change of jumping into the top three with a crack at European stud Luka Doncic, whom Mills and Perry scouted in Spain two weeks ago.
?He?s the real deal,?? said one NBA source familiar with the Knicks thinking.