2018 NBA Mock Drafts

Does Ayton have the highest ceiling in this draft? That's not a certainty. Another uncertainty is the value of a freakishly large and athletic big man in today's NBA. I still believe what a whole lot of scouts that I've spoken with believe about Ayton: That while other players may fit better in today's NBA (like the versatile Slovenian wing Luka Doncic), and while other players may have a higher ceiling (like the absurdly long big man Mohamed Bamba), nobody has a higher floor than Ayton. I'm not sold that Ayton is the hands-down best player in this draft like I thought about Ben Simmons in 2016 or Anthony Davis in 2012. And I'm not sold that he will turn his mediocre defense at the collegiate level into elite defense at the NBA level. But I am sold that his explosive offensive skill set ? his unicorn-like offensive ceiling ? makes him the safest pick in this draft.

The 19-year-old Slovenian dominated this season while he played against grown men in the Spanish league. Doncic was 15th in the Spanish ACB league in points, fourth in assists, and 12th in rebounds. He's a remarkable shot creator and shot maker ? a smart, shifty, versatile, confident player. Think young Manu Ginobili.Mohamed Bamba, Texas. Bamba would join John Collins in giving the Hawks a young frontcourt with excellent potential. ?Potential? is the key word with Bamba; he already is seen as an elite, Rudy Gobert-like rim protector, but the incredibly long 7-footer (he'll have the longest wingspan in the NBA at 7-10) will have to add weight and improve his offensive arsenal. Joel Embiid told me of a conversation he had with Bamba during the collegiate season when Embiid told Bamba that the better spacing in the NBA will prove a boon to Bamba's offensive game ? just like it did for Embiid's. Bamba often played on a clogged court at Texas, like Embiid did at Kansas. His shot is more than adequate for a big man, though he certainly has room for improvement; he shot a promising 68.1 percent from the free-throw line and 27.5 percent from 3-point range. Bamba's college coaches raved to me about his basketball IQ, specifically his ability to see plays before they develop and to pass out of double-teams. There's certainly some risk to this pick: Will Bamba's body fill out? Will he show the burning desire to become great? But the reward is that the Hawks could get the best player in this draft.

Jackson is the type of player a general manager can look at as a blank canvas: Big, long, athletic and versatile, with an outrageous ceiling on both ends of the floor. He has versatility as a playmaker and as a shooter; he shot 80 percent from the free-throw line, 40 percent from 3-point range. There's some risk here; Jackson's highlight reel is incredible, but he only averaged 21.8 minutes per game at Michigan State ? a very small sample size. I often worry about the "blank canvas" type of players who check all the boxes but don't necessarily have the resume.

"Potential" is the key word with Bamba; he already is seen as an elite, Rudy Gobert-like rim protector, but the incredibly long 7-footer (he'll have the longest wingspan in the NBA at 7-10) will have to add weight and improve his offensive arsenal. Joel Embiid told me of a conversation he had with Bamba during the collegiate season when Embiid told Bamba that the better spacing in the NBA will prove a boon to Bamba's offensive game ? just like it did for Embiid's. Bamba often played on a clogged court at Texas, like Embiid did at Kansas. His shot is more than adequate for a big man, though he certainly has room for improvement; he shot a promising 68.1 percent from the free-throw line and 27.5 percent from 3-point range. Bamba's college coaches raved to me about his basketball IQ, specifically his ability to see plays before they develop and to pass out of double-teams. There's certainly some risk to this pick: Will Bamba's body fill out? Will he show the burning desire to become great? But the reward is that the Mavericks could get the best player in this draft..

A dream fit for the team and a dream fit for the player, should Young last this long. The Magic need a point guard, badly. They also need some excitement surrounding a franchise that's been stuck in neutral, and utterly identity-less, since Stan Van Gundy was fired. Young is a potential star. Sure, the Steph Curry comparisons put way too much pressure on the young man's shoulders, but his playing style as well as his collegiate stats back it up. Scouts question whether he can bulk up. His size is the biggest question mark ? but he's the roughly the same size as Chris Paul and Kemba Walker, so size doesn't have to kill his game. Pressure seemed to get to him last season as he became the face of college basketball. Playing in a relatively pressure-free environment in Orlando could be perfect for him.

A huge risk, given the health concerns. But at some point the reward outweighs the risk. Going into the season Porter was considered in the running for the No. 1 overall pick. Then the hip problem and microdiscectomy surgery on his back sidelined him for the bulk of his one-and-done season. It's around this point where the draft begins to thin out, and Porter's enormous ceiling begins to outweigh his risk. He's a natural scorer. The Kevin Durant comparison some have made is going too far, but I see where the thought comes from. I see Porter as a Jayson Tatum-type player, but just a tick better in almost every way (and a tick taller, too). It's a dream for the Bulls if Porter falls this low, because he could end up as the best player in this draft. But if his health concerns continue, the dream could turn into a nightmare.

Traded from: BKN

Maybe LeBron stays. If he does, a win-now pick ? perhaps Villanova's Mikal Bridges, an experienced two-way wing ? would make more sense. But the Cavs won't know if LeBron is staying until well after draft night, so this pick needs to plan for a LeBron-less future. The younger Sexton's ceiling is higher than Bridges', and therefore a better building block for an uncertain future. Sexton is streaky, and his confidence can border on an off-putting arrogance, but the exciting score-first point guard is the closest there is to a Russell Westbrook in this draft. I don't think it would be crazy in the least if the Cavs took Shai Gilgeous-Alexander here, who could well end up as the top guard from this draft.

The Knicks are in a difficult position. They're just at the end of the space of this draft that finds potential franchise-changers. They have to wait and see who falls to them. I believe there are as many as nine potential franchise-changers in this draft. If Sexton falls to nine, he could be a nice fit with Frank Ntilikina in the backcourt. If Carter falls to nine, he could be a nice fit alongside Kristaps Porzingis in the frontcourt. If Porter's injury concerns drop him to nine, he'd be a risky home-run swing for the Knicks in trying to get a potential superstar. Carter has a fundamentally solid, versatile game ? as a post scorer and a perimeter shooter, as a rebounder and a shot-blocker. He has a pretty high floor.

Traded from: LAL

A win-now pick for a team that's looking to win now. Plus the Villanova star gets to stay in the city where he won two titles in three seasons at Villanova. The 21-year-old Bridges is an excellent athlete, a two-way player who can make 3-pointers and make plays. I'm not sure if the ceiling is much higher than NBA starter level for Bridges. But he could have an immediate impact on a winning team.

Think Kemba Walker will be around after next season? I don't, so it's time for the Hornets to start planning for a Kemba-less future that might have a couple more lottery picks, since this team needs to go down before it can go up. If Gilgeous-Alexander were to stick around for a sophomore season at Kentucky, add some muscle and some leadership experience, I believe he could be in the running for a top-five or perhaps top-three pick in the lackluster 2019 draft. He was the main reason why Kentucky morphed from an incoherent team in January to a team that was rolling in March. He's tall and long, a good athlete, and a very good shooter. He'll need some time to develop. But if the Hornets have anything, it's time.

Traded from: DET

Knox won't become an NBA star. But he can become a solid starter ? a nice third option ? for a winning team. He can get to the rim, he can shoot it well enough from deep, he can defend multiple positions. Knox is a valuable and versatile prospect at a position that this draft is short on.

Bridges could be the most explosive athlete in this draft. He's a tweener, though I'm not sure if tweener status matters as much in today's NBA as it used to. The dude is exciting, has incredible raw natural abilities, and is a capable shooter and rebounder. The Nuggets have some special pieces, and Bridges would fit in with them nicely.

A total athletic freak for a team that desperately needs more big men. Williams can jump out of the gym, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds others can't get. He averaged close to a double-double, yet his sophomore season felt somewhat disappointing because the expectations were so high (and because the Aggies' roster just didn't fit together well). Williams offensive game is somewhat limited and didn't show growth during his sophomore year. Perhaps he could develop into a Clint Capela-like character in Washington.

Traded from: MIA

Smith is long and athletic, a player who somehow went from unheralded college recruit to one-and-done potential lottery pick. The Suns can take a bit of a risk on a bit of a project ? albeit a project with excellent athleticism, great defense and the ability to become a shooter. Very high upside pick for a team that has three first-rounders.

Holiday is an explosive scorer. He's only 6-1, but his long wingspan makes him an excellent perimeter defender. And I don't need to tell you about his NBA pedigree with his brothers Jrue and Justin. Holiday had a variety of college experiences, from backing up Lonzo Ball to becoming The Guy last year, and that should help him accept whatever role an NBA team asks of him. He's a great fit for a Bucks team that could be looking to move on from Eric Bledsoe.

DiVincenzo is one of the best raw athletes in this draft, plays with incredible intensity on offense and defense, and can flat-out score. DiVincenzo shot 40 percent from 3-point range for a Villanova team that was one of the most efficient offenses of all time. It's amazing to think that DiVincenzo, Nova's sixth man, almost certainly would have returned for one more season if he hadn't went off for 31 points in the national title game. There's no obvious weakness in his arsenal.

Traded from: MIN

A tall and versatile shooter and playmaker, Huerter and his 41.4 3-point percentage are an ideal fit for today's NBA. If he'd stayed in school one more year like he was considering, Huerter would have become a surefire lottery pick in 2019.

Traded from: OKC

Thomas may be the best two-way guard available in this draft. He can shoot it ? something the Timberwolves need ? and he can defend multiple positions ? something the Timberwolves need. Tom Thibodeau will love the way he competes.

Bates-Diop projects as an athletic three-and-D player who will be ready to contribute on day one. He can do a bit of everything on the court and ought to make a nice role player ? and can succeed immediately. He measured with an incredibly long wingspan (7-3 1/4) at the combine, which will only help his draft stock.

Traded from: NO

One of the best shooters and playmakers in this draft. Robinson tore it up as the featured player on a Boston College team that had one of its best ACC seasons in a long time. The Bulls could use an elite shooter or two, and Robinson could become that in the NBA.

An older, versatile wing who showed steady improvement in each of his four years in college. He's an ideal size (6-7with a wingspan of 7-1) for today's switchy NBA.

If there's one thing that might convince NBA general managers that Spellman is ready for the NBA, it's Spellman's answer to which NBA player he most models his game after: Draymond Green. At the combine Spellman cited Green's versatility and unselfishness as why he admires him. Spellman can stuff the stat sheet as a nimble, intuitive big man who can hit the 3-pointer.

Traded from: CLE

It's a shame we didn't get to see more of Melton during his sophomore season at USC, which was cut short by his involvement in the FBI investigation into college basketball. I saw Melton at a USC practice in winter; he was the best player on the court, and he knew it. He has a certain swagger to his game, on offense and defense, though shooting from deep is not his forte. At the combine, when he was asked about being taken by a team in his hometown, Melton's eyes lit up with excitement.

What I'm saying here is that the 76ers scouts basically didn't have to leave the Wells Fargo Center during the past season, as I have the 76ers taking two Villanova products ? Bridges and Brunson, who played college games at the 76ers' arena ? in the first round. I've been in love with Brunson since seeing him in high school. There wasn't a smarter player in college basketball than Brunson, nor was there a more consistently efficient scorer. TJ McConnell has one year left on his contract; Brunson could immediately be slotted in as the perfect point guard to throw teams off their rhythm when Ben Simmons is catching a breather. He'll be a winning NBA player for 12 to 15 years.

A home-run swing no matter where he's taken. And when you take a big swing, you can often strike out. Robinson is a helluva physical specimen, a hugely athletic 7-footer who is one of the best shot-blockers in a draft that has a few stellar ones. Robinson is a liability on the offensive end for now, but with some time in the G-League, this project could become a late-first-round gem. Or he could become absolutely nothing. There are so many red flags here: The disastrous collegiate situation where he committed to and then pulled out of Western Kentucky; the dumb decision of pulling out of the NBA combine at the last minute. But there's no question about his momentous physical abilities; he's right up there with the elite big men of this draft. Here's to the possibility of the Brad Stevens culture reaching Robinson and helping him mature as a player and a person.

I was torn between two beautiful Duke shooters to add even more shooting depth to a team that already has plenty. This was a toss-up between Trent and Grayson Allen, both of whom I think would fit in here perfectly from day one. With Nick Young's one-year deal up, the Warriors could use another shooter off the bench. I can see the argument for Allen here; he's older and with more experience than Trent, so theoretically he'd be more able to help the Warriors in their quest for a fourth title in five years. But I like Trent's athletic gifts, and his ceiling, slightly more than Allen's. He's an absolute pit bull on the court. (Though the idea of the hated Warriors adding the hated Allen would be an excellent troll move.)

Traded from: TOR

Okogie killed it at May's combine as one of the best athletes in the draft, tying Donte DiVincenzo for the highest vertical leap at 42 inches and getting the top time in the three-quarters sprint. At 6-4" with a 7-0 wingspan, Okogie projects to become a versatile wing player in today's switchy NBA. Okogie can create shots and make 3-pointers (18.2 points per game his sophomore season, shooting 38 percent from 3-point range and 82.1 percent from the free-throw line). He can rebound the ball, too. There's so much to like here. In another world, Okogie could have been a lottery pick; getting him late in the first or early in the second could be a steal.

The only thing anybody seems capable of agreeing on in this draft is that Ayton will be selected first. Whether he should be is another (and reasonable) question. But I don't know anybody who genuinely believes the Suns are going to take anybody other than Ayton -- the 7-1 forward who averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game as a freshman while helping Arizona win the Pac-12 regular-season title and Pac-12 Tournament championship. His physical gifts make him unique and provide a realistic opportunity for superstardom. He's not a sure thing, in my opinion. But Ayton definitely looks the part.

I seem to have more questions about Doncic's ability to create space and get to the rim against NBA athletes at an elite level than most. But I don't think there's any doubt he'll be, at worst, a useful NBA player immediately and for a long time. And the potential for stardom is certainly there. Even I can admit that. So, for those reasons and more, it always made sense that Doncic, a 6-8 wing who can serve as a primary ball-handler, would go in the top three of this draft even if recent reports from reputable reporters suggested otherwise. If you're Atlanta, you either take Doncic and keep him or take Doncic and trade him to a franchise that loves him. But you don't just pass on him if he's available because there's too much value in selecting him.

I'm not as high on Jackson as most, if only because he didn't produce at Michigan State the way so many other heralded freshmen produced on other campuses in their only years of college basketball. And I have a hard time getting over that. But I do understand why he projects, in the eyes of many, as a perfect modern big who can protect the rim, switch everything and stretch the floor on the offensive end of the court. I'm skeptical. But I get it. And though this is not what I'd do if I were running the Grizzlies -- I'd probably look to trade down a few spots before I took Jackson with the fourth pick -- Jackson is the player I believe Memphis will select if Memphis is selecting fourth and Ayton, Bagley and Doncic are off the board.

Bamba projects as a menace on the defensive end of the court -- where his 7-9 wingspan should allow him to alter shots at an elite level and rebound well. But it's important to understand he's not just a defensive player. There's also potential on the offensive end of the court -- even if it's a work in progress, at the moment. So this 7-footer with a 7-9 wingspan who averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in 30.2 minutes per game at Texas absolutely has a chance to develop into an All-Star in the frontcourt. His natural gifts are undeniable and, in some ways, unprecedented. Personally, I'd take him before I took Jackson even if that doesn't appear to be a likely outcome Thursday.

Scouts are all over the place on Young -- who was the story of college basketball for much of his one season at Oklahoma. The 6-2 point guard became the first Division I player in history to lead the nation in points (27.4) and assists (8.7) per game, and his unique ability as a shot-creator and shot-maker had some comparing him to Stephen Curry. But once defenses adjusted in February and March, Young began to struggle. And his skeptics believe that's a truer version of Young, whom literally nobody projected as a one-and-done lottery this time last year. For what it's worth, I think he'll be really good. Probably not good enough to be a two-time NBA MVP and three-time world champion like Curry. (Who is?) But good enough to make him a worthy pick in the top half of the lottery.

Back surgery robbed Porter of his first and only season of college basketball, which is unfortunate. But that hasn't stop franchises picking in the top five -- specifically Sacramento and Memphis -- from seriously considering the former high school All-American who is so talented that, this time last year, he projected as a serious contender to be the top pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. In other words, everybody understands there's an opportunity to get real value here the way Philadelphia got real value when it drafted an injured Joel Embiid with the third pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. But, ultimately, I think any perceived longterm risk, combined with the fact that Porter canceled a workout last week for health reasons, will cause him to slide into the middle of the lottery.

Traded from: BKN

Carter was Duke's "other" frontcourt one-and-done standout -- not quite as productive as Bagley but still really good. The 6-11 forward averaged 13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 2.0 assists in 26.9 minutes per game while shooting 41.3 percent from 3-point range (on limited attempts) for a Duke team that advanced to the Elite Eight. His versatility on the offensive end of the court makes him an intriguing prospect. But whether he'll be able to handle pick-and-roll situations on the defensive end is a reasonable concern unless Carter improves his foot speed.

Frank Ntilikina is not a point guard. If the Knicks didn't know that a year ago, they know it now. Which is among the reasons Sexton -- the one-and-done star who averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 29.9 minutes per game while leading Alabama to the NCAA Tournament -- makes sense in this spot. He's a 6-3 point guard who super-fast, super-quick and forever aggressive. He puts pressure on the defense basically every possession. He could be the additional star the Knicks need to return to the playoffs in, perhaps, 2020.

Traded from: LAL

I'm not sure any non-freshman helped himself more last season with NBA people than Bridges -- who averaged 17.7 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting a career-best 43.5 percent from 3-point range in 32.1 minutes per game for a Villanova team that won the national title. More than anything, the 6-7 wing spent the season making "pro shots" more regularly than ever and doing most of the things any franchise would want him to do at the next level. His ability to guard multiple positions makes him somebody who could theoretically contribute to basically any team on opening night. Bridges likely isn't equipped to create his own scoring opportunities, at least at this point. But he's a great catch-and-shoot prospect -- perhaps the best in this draft.

Anybody looking for a combo forward in the second half of the lottery would have to seriously consider Knox if he's still on the board when they're selecting. The 6-9 athlete with a strong frame averaged a team-high 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 32.4 minutes while leading Kentucky to the Sweet 16. And he's still only 18 years old, which makes him younger than most freshmen and almost everybody in this draft. Knox didn't shoot it well from 3-point range at Kentucky. But there's nothing obviously wrong with his shot, which is why he could thrive as the type of stretch-4 every NBA franchise values. Reports that he's worked out well in recent weeks have bolstered his stock with franchises picking in this range.

Traded from: DET

DeAndre Jordan's future with the Clippers remains uncertain -- and Williams is the prospect available at this point in this mock draft who is best equipped to eventually do similar things at the NBA level. The 6-10 athlete averaged 10.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 25.6 minutes per game while leading Texas A&M to the Sweet 16. Williams projects as a strong finisher, rebounder and shot-blocker who could be a 10-year starting center in the NBA if his motor and focus improve and get consistent.

Gilgeous-Alexander was only the seventh-best prospect in Kentucky's 2017 class, according to 247Sports, but he emerged as one of the Wildcats' most important players as the season progressed. The one-and-done combo guard averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds while showing a unique ability to get into the lane. At 6-6 with a 7-foot wingspan, Gilgeous-Alexander could become a great perimeter defender in time, which is obviously a terrific skill in the modern NBA where perimeter players dominate the league. Yes, his shot needs some work. But his pros far outweigh his cons. And he would also fill a position of need for a Clippers franchise with multiple lottery picks.

Bridges is a better small-ball power forward than he is a full-time wing. But stressing too much about that is probably overthinking it because the 6-6 sophomore is an explosive athlete who can pass and shoot and guard multiple positions. He averaged 17.1 points and 7.0 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game while leading Michigan State to the Big Ten regular-season title. In a mostly position-less NBA, I'm comfortable trusting the former Big Ten star will figure things out and be impactful quickly.

Traded from: MIA

Thomas is a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year -- one who used a 6-11 wingspan on a 6-3 frame to get into passing lanes and, in other ways, just make things difficult on opposing guards. He averaged 15.5 points and shot 41.1 percent from 3-point range as a junior. So anybody picking outside of the lottery, and in need of a 3-and-D wing, should give the Omaha native a serious look. Because I think he has a chance to be one of the better non-lottery picks to emerge from this draft.

Brown developed a reputation in high school as somebody who values defense and could reasonably play at least three positions at the collegiate level, and he showed flashes of that at Oregon while averaging 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 31.5 minutes per game. If he can develop a consistent 3-point shot -- Brown only shot 29.1 percent from beyond the arc this season -- he'll be capable of providing the versatility NBA franchises crave while flourishing at both forward positions.

Traded from: OKC

DiVincenzo was barely on anybody's immediate NBA radar before he made five 3-pointers and scored 31 points in the national title game against Michigan. But thanks to that effort, and a tremendous week at the combine, the 6-5 guard is now considered a likely first-round pick. On the season, DiVincenzo averaged 5.3 3-point attempts per game and made 40.1 percent of them. That's great and something that suggests he can be a bouncy two-way player and weapon on the perimeter. And the fact that he comes from the winning culture Villanova provides can't possibly hurt.

Holiday averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists in 37.7 minutes per game this season while shooting 42.9 percent from 3-point range for a UCLA team that made the NCAA Tournament. His 6-6 wingspan should prove beneficial while guarding opposing point guards. His ability to consistently make perimeter jumpers means he projects as a capable passer and shooter at the NBA level.

Traded from: NO

Hutchison had the best season of his four-year college career this season while establishing himself as a first-round talent. The 6-7 Mountain West Conference star has all the tools necessary to be a quality NBA wing. He averaged 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 31 minutes for a Boise State team that won 23 times.

Okogie really helped himself at the combine -- where he measured 6-4 with a 7-foot wingspan. And when you consider the sophomore guard shot 38.0 percent from 3-point range this season at Georgia Tech while averaging 18.2 points in 36.4 minutes per game, you can understand why NBA executives are becoming more interested in Okogie as a real first-round possibility even though he was just a three-star recruit in the Class of 2016.

Huerter, who was good at the combine, has reportedly also been really good in private workouts -- all of which made it sensible for the 6-6 shooter to leave Maryland after two seasons. He averaged 14.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 34.4 minutes a game for a Maryland team that finished 39th at KenPom. But the key stat is that Huerter made 41.7 percent of the 5.5 3-pointers he took per contest. So he projects as a wing with size who can be a reliable threat from the perimeter. No, the hand injury he just suffered isn't ideal. But there's no real reason to think it'll cost him much, if it all, on draft night.

Traded from: CLE

Smith is the rare one-and-done player who was a sub-100 prospect coming out of high school. It's a remarkable story -- one that features the 6-4 wing putting himself in this position by displaying top-shelf athleticism while averaging 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds for a Texas Tech team that advanced to the Elite Eight. Smith is bouncy and a capable shooter from beyond the arc -- evidence being how he shot 45.0 percent from 3-point range (on, admittedly, limited attempts). The fact that he didn't measure great at the combine didn't help things. But, still, I think he's a likely first-round pick.

J.J. Redick is an unrestricted free agent who might not return to the Sixers. So drafting another off-guard who can shoot would make some sense. Allen is a good athlete with good size who made 273 3-pointers in his final three years of college while shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. The Duke graduate should be equipped to play meaningful minutes as a rookie, even for a playoff team like Philadelphia.

Robinson made a mess of his college situation by enrolling at Western Kentucky before, just two weeks later, leaving campus and asking for a release. Then the 7-foot center never actually enrolled in another school -- meaning he did not play competitive basketball anywhere this past season. That's neither ideal nor smart. And it's possibly a red flag. But Robinson remains a lottery talent. And it would be just like Celtics general manager Danny Ainge to land a prospect of this caliber late in the first round and then turn him over to Brad Stevens, who might be exactly the type of coach Robinson requires to reach his potential.

Evans is a do-everything wing who guards multiple positions, plays tough and consistently makes outside jumpers -- evidence being how he shot 39.4 percent from 3-point range in his final two years at Cincinnati while helping the Bearcats earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He didn't take over games often, it's fair to note. But it's not hard to imagine him flourishing with the Warriors and becoming a useful piece for a championship organization.

Traded from: TOR

Bates-Diop went from averaging 9.7 points in an injury-shortened 2016-17 season to 19.8 points in the 2017-18 season and improved in basically every way, which is why Ohio State spent much of this season nationally ranked and finished tied for second in the Big Ten regular-season standings. Not every player who returns to school to "improve his NBA stock" actually does. In fact, most don't. But Bates-Diop clearly did. And draft night will prove it.

Traded from: HOU

Melton is a nice combo-guard prospect who was sidelined in the preseason by an ongoing FBI investigation. So that's not ideal. But the 6-3 sophomore still has a chance to go in the first 30 picks. And if he slips into the second round, for whatever reason, multiple franchises will be trying to move up to grab him considering he's an unselfish ball-handler who is comfortable in pick-and-roll situations. The only real concern with Melton is his jumper. He only shot 28.4 percent from beyond the arc in his one season at USC.