DRAFT RESULTS
1. SUNS – DeAndre Ayton
7’0 250Lbs Center/Arizona/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – D.Ayton
PF – Josh Jackson/M.Chriss/D.Bender
SF – Trevor Ariza/TJ Warren
SG – Devin Booker
PG – Brandon Knight/Tyler Ulis
Phoenix took the consensus #1 player. He has drawn comparisons to David Robinson but will be stronger than the Admiral. Easily a 20-10 legit 7 footer. He figures to pair with Devin Booker to make for one of the best young combos in the league.
2. KINGS – Marvin Bagley III
6’11 230Lbs Power Forward/Duke/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – Willie Cauley-Stein
PF – Marvin Bagley/Zach Randolph
SF – Bogdan Bogdanovic/Justin Jackson
SG – Buddy Hield/Ben McClemore
PG – D.Fox/Yogi Ferrell/Frank Mason III
This was somewhat of a surprise pick considering all of the international diversity within the Kings’ organization, yet they passed on Doncic, who some consider the best international prospect ever. Talent wise, Bagley was no surprise because he certainly carries 20-10 potential; his impact will be felt more on the offensive side of the ball than the defensive side. In comparison, he is a more athletic version of Chris Bosh with the potential to be stronger.
3. MAVS (Traded from Hawks) – Luka Doncic
6’7 215Lbs Point Forward/International
Projected Line-up:
Center – D.Jordan
PF – Dirk
SF – H.Barnes
SG – L.Doncic
PG – D.Smith
It was hard to find any weaknesses in Doncic’s game. The 19-year-old has been seasoned in the professional league in Europe for years; and was recently the MVP of the Championship Team. He and Trae Young are the best natural shooters in this draft and were ironically traded for each other. He seems to be ambidextrous and uses his 6’7 215Lbs frame well, an excellent dribbler and distributer with great court vision already has an NBA 3point range, and plays with extreme confidence in his skill.
4. GRIZZ – Jaren Jackson Jr
6’11 235Lbs Power Forward/Michigan State/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – Marc Gasol
PF – Jaren Jackson
SF – Kyle Anderson/Dillon Brooks
SG – Wayne Selden
PG – Michael Conley Jr
Jackson comes from good pedigree; his father played for the Spurs in the 90s. A solid athlete at 6’11, very active on D. Might not be a star, but a solid all-around role player.
5. HAWKS (Traded from Mavs) – Trae Young
6’2 180Lbs Point Guard/Oklahoma/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – Alex Len
PF – John Collins/Omari Spellman
SF – T.Smith
SG – K.Bazemore
PG – Trae Young/Jeremy Lin
This was an intriguing pick because the Hawks had developed Schroder for years, and he seemed ready to take the next step in his game…but the Hawks’ brass saw something special in Trae Young. He has the shooting range and confidence of Steph Curry, and the ability to run the floor and create passes for his teammates like Gary Payton. Make no mistake though; he will not have the kind of impact defensively as The Glove. Offensively, he has the kind of skill that influenced the Hawks to get rid of their Point Guard and give him the keys to the team. Instead of pairing a young talent (that didn’t play PG) with Schroder, the team perhaps took 1 step back to take 2 steps forward in the future.
6. MAGIC – Mo Bamba 7’0 225Lbs Center/Texas/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – M.Bamba
PF – Aaron Gordon
SF – Jonathan Isaac
SG – Evan Fournier
PG – DJ Augustin
Bamba has a ridiculous 7’10 wingspan. He’s as long as Rudy Gobert, with similar ability defensively, but a higher ceiling offensively. He’s a smart kid, runs the floor extremely well, has a little touch on his jumper, and is gifted athletically. He could lead the NBA in blocks one day soon.
7. BULLS – Wendell Carter Jr
6’10 255Lbs Center/Duke/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – Robin Lopez/Wendell Carter Jr
PF – Lauri Markkanan /Bobby Portis
SF – Jabari Parker/Denzel Valentine
SG – Zach LaVine
PG – Kris Dunn
The Bulls were in need of a physical, unselfish big man, and so they targeted Carter. He was drafted more for need than potential.
8. CAVS (from Nets through Celtics) – Colin Sexton
6’3 185Lbs Point Guard/Alabama/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – T.Thompson
PF – Kevin Love
SF – Rodney Hood/Kyle Korver
SG – Jordan Clarkson/JR Smith
PG – George Hill/Colin Sexton
Sexton is a fiery competitor with a fearless attitude. Has some range on his shot, good explosiveness getting to the basket, and an arsenal of moves for scoring the ball. He’ll be ready to take the reigns in the post-LeBron era.
9. KNICKS – Kevin Knox
6’9 210Lbs Small Forward/Kentucky/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – Enes Kanter/Mitchell Robinson
PF – Porzingis/J.Noah
SF – M.Hezonja/K.Knox
SG – T.Hardaway Jr/Frank Ntilikina
PG – E.Mudiay/Trey Burke
Such a raw prospect, but the potential is there. He is a long small forward that can create a little bit off of the dribble. The Knicks will have to be patient with his development. He’s a long ways away from the player he’ll end up being. 2nd round pick Mitchell Robinson could have a bigger impact this year.
10. SUNS (Traded from 76ers) – Mikal Bridges
6’7 210Lbs Small Forward/Villanova/Junior
The Sun’s wanted to add some experienced wing players this off-season, and they were able to accomplish that with Trevor Ariza and Villanova Junior, Mikal Bridges. Bridges has a lot of college experience, including a National Title win this past season in which he played a huge part.
11. CLIPPERS (Traded from Hornets) – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
6’6 180Lbs Guard/Kentucky/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – Marcin Gortat/M.Harrell
PF – Danillo Gallinari
SF – Tobias Harris
SG – Avery Bradley
PG – P.Beverly/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Clippers were thrilled about this talented combo guard. Former Duke PG Jay Williams compared him to John Wall.
12. HORNETS (Traded from Clippers) – Miles Bridges
6’7 220Lbs Forward/Michigan State/Sophomore
Projected Line-up:
Center – Cody Zeller/B.Biyombo
PF – Marvin Williams/Frank Kaminsky
SF –Miles Bridges/MKG
SG – Nicholas Batum/Malik Monk
PG – Kemba Walker/Tony Parker
Bridges was an absolute steal at #12, mainly because this draft was so deep with talent. He could very well jump MKG in the starting line-up immediately unless the Hornets decide to start Batum at SF and Monk at SG. He would have been selected a tad bit earlier in last year’s draft perhaps, but the Hornets are certainly getting an improved, progressed version. Bridges is very physical and aggressive, which should serve him well in the pros. Sort of a Shawn Marion type without the weird shooting mechanics.
13. CLIPPERS – Jerome Robinson
6’5 190 Guard/Boston College
14. NUGGETS – Michael Porter Jr
6’10 210Lbs Forward/Missouri/Freshman
Projected Line-up:
Center – Jokic
PF – Paul Millsap
SF – Will Barton/Michael Porter Jr
SG – Gary Harris/Malik Beasley
PG – Jamal Murray/Isaiah Thomas
This pick fell right outside of the lottery, but I had to add it because of the potential Porter Jr has. Considered the top prospect coming out of High School, before his back surgery, he was drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant. Now with the injury, I don’t think he’ll quite be the poor man’s version of Durant, but perhaps the middle-class version.
