NBA Mock Draft 2018: Projections and Predictions for Top Point Guard Prospects
May 21, 2018
Big men should dominate the top of the 2018 NBA draft, as it's conceivable that we see them populate five of the first seven picks, with the lone exceptions being Real Madrid guard Luka Doncic and Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr.
However, point guards should still make a stamp on the first round, and seven of them are projected to go in the top 30 of the mock draft below. You can also find quick analysis involving them and their predicted landing spots.
NBA Mock Draft
1. Phoenix Suns: Arizona C Deandre Ayton
2. Sacramento Kings: Duke F Marvin Bagley III
3. Atlanta Hawks: Michigan State F Jaren Jackson Jr.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Real Madrid G Luka Doncic
5. Dallas Mavericks: Duke F Wendell Carter
6. Orlando Magic: Missouri F Michael Porter Jr.
7. Chicago Bulls: Texas C Mohamed Bamba
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets and Celtics): Oklahoma G Trae Young
9. New York Knicks: Alabama G Collin Sexton
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers and Suns): Villanova G/F Mikal Bridges
11. Charlotte Hornets: Texas Tech G Zhaire Smith
12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Pistons): Texas A&M F Robert Williams
13. Los Angeles Clippers: Kentucky G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
14. Denver Nuggets: Cedevita Zagreb F Dzanan Musa
15. Washington Wizards: Missouri F Jontay Porter
16. Phoenix Suns (via Heat): Villanova G Jalen Brunson
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Chalmette High School C Mitchell Robinson
18. San Antonio Spurs: Michigan State F Miles Bridges
19. Atlanta Hawks: Miami G Lonnie Walker
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder): Kentucky F Kevin Knox
21. Utah Jazz: Boise State G Chandler Hutchison
22. Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans): Ohio State F Keita Bates-Diop
23. Indiana Pacers: Villanova G Donte DiVincenzo
24. Portland Trail Blazers: Creighton G Khyri Thomas
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavaliers): UCLA G Aaron Holiday
26. Philadelphia 76ers: Duke G Gary Trent Jr.
27. Boston Celtics: Villanova F Omari Spellman
28. Golden State Warriors: Oregon F Troy Brown Jr.
29. Brooklyn Nets (via Raptors): IMG G Anfernee Simons
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets): Boston College G Jerome Robinson
Memphis Grizzlies: Real Madrid G Luka Doncic
Real Madrid guard Luka Doncic could very well go No. 1 overall to the Phoenix Suns, but at first glance, the top three teams in this year's draft have significant needs down low. In a draft that should be dominated by big men near the top, it would make sense for them to just take the best low-post players available, which would leave Doncic to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 4.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Oklahoma G Trae Young
The Cleveland Cavaliers need a scorer regardless of whether LeBron James opts of his contract and joins another team next year. If he stays, the Cavs could use someone else to take some of the scoring (and ball-handling) burden off his hands. If James goes, the Cavs have to try to gain back some of that lost scoring production.
Trae Young of Oklahoma, who averaged 27.4 points per game in his lone collegiate season, seems like the best bet then if he falls to No. 8.
New York Knicks: Alabama G Collin Sexton
The Knicks can go a few different routes with the No. 9 pick. One is taking the best guard on the board and pairing him with Frank Ntilikina in the backcourt. In that case, the Knicks may choose Alabama guard Collin Sexton, who averaged 19.2 points per game in his freshman year. The more defensive-minded Ntilikina and the more offensive-minded Sexton could form a solid duo.
Los Angeles Clippers: Kentucky G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Los Angeles Clippers are about to undergo a serious rebuilding project following the dismantling of the Lob City era. As part of that rebuild, they need a long-term point guard, so Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Kentucky could be the pick. The 6'6" Gilgeous-Alexander scored 14.4 points and dished 5.1 assists per game in his one season in Lexington.
Phoenix Suns: Villanova G Jalen Brunson
The Suns' top choices at No. 1 seem to be picking Ayton or Doncic. If they go the former route, taking a guard with the No. 16 pick seems like the best bet.
Villanova guard Jalen Brunson may not have as high a ceiling as other guards projected to go in the first round, but he is a tough, hard-nosed player and a proven winner on the collegiate level, having won the Naismith Player of the Year award in 2017-18 in addition to two national championships.
Los Angeles Lakers: UCLA G Aaron Holiday
The Los Angeles Lakers could use a point guard to play behind Lonzo Ball. No one may be a better fit for that role than UCLA guard Aaron Holiday, who played with Ball during the 2016-17 season. The 6'1" guard enjoyed a successful junior year at UCLA, averaging 20.3 points and 5.8 assists per game. Holiday also excels from behind the three-point line, as he knocked down 42.2 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.
Brooklyn Nets: IMG G Anfernee Simons
The Brooklyn Nets should just take the player with the most potential at No. 29, and that could be Anfernee Simons, a guard who spent a postgrad year at IMG Academy. Simons may not even last that long (Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report places him at No. 19 in his mock), but if he does, the Nets should take a chance. Simons' long wingspan (6'9 ¼") for a point guard should also help him at the next level.