This is our first attempt on the season of an NBA mock draft. Please note that the draft order is reflective of the standings on the day this specific mock was written up. Things will obviously change, such as the Clippers falling out of the playoffs and obtaining its first round pick or the bottom end of the Eastern Conference playoffs shuffling around which has a drastic pull on the draft order. As the season and process progresses we'll have more versions of the mock draft out. Feel free to interact with us on Twitter @WeKnowFantasy to let us know what you think!
1. New York Knicks - Zion Williams, PF, Duke - A lot of speculation circles Zion on if his game will transfer to the NBA level. He’s undersized to be a big in the league and isn’t a shooter. However, he leads the nation in player efficiency rating and has the ability to hit a three once-and-awhile. He’s a monster, plain an simple. He’ll be the first pick in the draft for whomever lands the top spot. Imagine next year in New York when they have Kyrie, KD and Zion.
2. Phoenix Suns - Ja Morant, PG, Murray State - This could be a mistake but the Phoenix Suns desperately need a franchise point guard. Since the departure of team and league legend Steve Nash, the Suns have been unable to put a quality player at point. Not only is Morant averaging 24 points a game, he leads the nation in assists-per-game at 10. He’s exactly what the Suns need to finally start making steps in the right direction.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers - R.J. Barrett, SG/SF, Duke - The Cavaliers would be ecstatic to get Barrett at three. When it’s all said and done, Barrett could very well be the best player out of this draft. He’s a 6-foot-7 guard who can shoot the three ball and can slash to the rim. He’s probably the purest NBA scorer in the draft, although his shot selection and current percentages raise question. He’ll be fine at the next level.
4. Chicago Bulls - Cam Reddish, SG/SF, Duke - I’m a fan of Reddish. Not only is he a spot-up-shooter from deep, he plays excellent defense. As the third option on an absolutely stacked Duke team, and being the third player from the current Duke team taken in the top four, he’s averaging just shy of 14 points-per-game with 2.6 threes and two steals. He’s a great option to slap between Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, who aren’t two great defenders. Reddish also sports a 7-foot-1 wingspan. Sign me up.
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5. Atlanta Hawks - Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech - The Atlanta Hawks have done well in stockpiling youth talent in Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter. They’re in the process of attempting to become the Warriors East. Culver is an excellent addition to their core. He’s shot up draft boards with his ability to score points at a high efficiency. Although his three-ball has dipped under 32-percent, he has one of the best usage ratings in the nation. He’s also very good on the pick and roll.
6. Memphis Grizzlies - Nassir Little, F, North Carolina - Coming in as the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game, Little was one of the most hyped freshman. He has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and has been coming on as of late. It’s obvious that the Grizzlies are finally ready to enter a rebuilding stage after dealing away Marc Gasol. Little could be that first piece in the new Grizzlies’ era.
7. Washington Wizards - Romeo Langford, G, Indiana - Romeo Langford is one of the most talented players in the draft, there’s no doubt about that. He seems to be getting overlooked due to the mediocre play of the Indiana team he’s currently on. He’s a proficient scorer, he can do it from anywhere and anyhow on the court. He has the wingspan to play quality defense at the next level. The Wizards are stuck in a weird place right now with some great pieces on the roster, but a lot of turmoil. Langford could ultimately be that first piece of a rebuild that’s there for some time to come.
8. New Orleans Pelicans - De’Andre Hunter, F, Virginia - In today’s game, teams are looking for that forward who can bounce out to the wing yet hold his own in the post. Sophomore De’Andre Hunter could be that guy for the New Orleans Pelicans. Hunter is one of the best defenders in the college game, with the tools to do it both on the wing and in the post. Hunter is also a quality scorer who can knock down the three and shoot a good percentage from the line.
9. Atlanta Hawks via Dallas Mavericks - Rui Hachimura, PF, Gonzaga - The Hawks are making its second selection of the first round at nine as part of last year’s trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Dallas Mavericks. The Hawks have a good young base and with taking Jarrett Culver at five already, the Hawks look to fill its final hole. Hachimura has the physical tools to be a modern day power forward, to pair with John Collins in the front court. He can spread the floor and play above the rim. He’s light on his feet and his stellar collegiate defensive play can transfer to the next level.
10. Orlando Magic - Sekou Doumbouya, PF, Guinea - Doumbouya may be one of the most pure athletes in this draft class. He most likely will be the first international player off the board as well. Prior to the Magic trading for former first overall pick Markelle Fultz, I’d have them scooping up Darius Garland here. However, with Fultz now on the roster, the Magic could look to bolster its frontcourt and give last year’s sixth overall pick, Mo Bamba, a running mate.
11. Miami Heat - Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt - I feel like Garland is a player that is currently being overlooked in this stage of the process. Garland is today’s NBA point guard. He possess what seems to be unlimited range and shoots the ball with confidence. Goran Dragic has struggled to stay on the court due to injuries and the Heat have even been playing Justise Winslow at point. Picking in the lottery here is the time to snag their point guard of the future.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves - Nickeil Alexander-Walker, G, Virginia Tech - The Timberwolves find themselves back in the lottery following their playoff appearance last year and the infamous blow up and eventual trade of Jimmy Butler. Under Ryan Saunders, Tyus Jones has looked like the point guard Wolves fans had hoped for when he was selected in the first round of the 2015 draft. In 2019 the T-Wolves could look to find the swing-man between Jones and Wiggins. Alexander-Walker is a 6-foot-6 guard who’s measurables can see him guard positions 1-3 in the NBA. He also has spot-up shooting ability.
13. Los Angeles Lakers - Jaxson Hayes, C, Texas - The Los Angeles Lakers need big men, there’s no way to get around that. Hayes is the best traditional big man in the draft. He’s not a player you’re going to draft for his offensive presence. He does have a 7-foot-3 wingspan, has huge hands and is very light on his feet for a man of his size. He has the physical tools to be the defensive rock and consistent rebounder that the Lakers are desperately lacking this season.
14. Boston Celtics via Sacramento Kings - Bol Bol, C, Oregon - If any team can afford to take a risk on Bol Bol, it’s the Celtics with a near handful of first round selections in the draft and the roster it currently has. Recently, it was announced that the 7-foot-3 big man was to have season ending foot surgery. Now there’s a lot of concern on if he’ll ever be healthy enough to play consistently, like a Joel Embiid, but if the Celtics can take their time with Bol in his recovery process, they could have themselves one heck of a big man for years to come.
15. Detroit Pistons - Keldon Johnson, SF, Kentucky - When it’s all said and done, Keldon Johnson will most likely be a lottery pick. He’s a crafty player that scores buckets in any way possible. He has a quick pull-up jumper but can aso get his way to the rim with the basketball. He’s much like a Kevin Knox of last year’s draft, who is performing pretty well for the New York Knicks right now.
16. Charlotte Hornets - KZ Okpala, F, Stanford - Okpala is one of the biggest risers currently in the draft. With some of the bigger names out west out injured, scouts are getting a lot of time to focus on Okpala. He’s a great outside shooter, where he’s currently shooting 38-percent from. He’s improved drastically from his freshman year last year to his sophomore year this year. He’s one of those players bound to breakout at the NBA level. He could be a 3-and-D type of player at the next level.
17. Brooklyn Nets - P.J. Washington, F, Kentucky - The Nets have done a great job getting its roster to where it currently is and making it to the playoffs. Washington is a rather raw freshman at Kentucky but has the physical tools and measurements to be a quality NBA player. On a team that makes the best in developing players, Washington could be a great fit. He needs to improve better defensively and on the glass, but that will come.
18. Boston Celtics via Los Angeles Clippers - Kevin Porter, G, USC - After the Clippers traded off its best player in Tobias Harris and did its best to get as much talent off its roster as possible, this pick could ultimately go back to them. As it currently sits, the Clippers will not be making its first round selection as they are in playoff position. With that being said, the Celtics get to make yet another first round selection and use this one on versatile guard Kevin Porter. The Celtics seem to love themselves guards who can play 1-3 on the court. He’s a great athlete that will give most guards fits due his strength and power. He just seems perfect for the Celtics.
19. San Antonio Spurs - Jontay Porter, C, Missouri - Eventually, Pau Gasol won’t be able to play basketball anymore and Aldridge isn’t a young buck anymore. The Spurs need to look to the future in terms of its front court. Porter tore his ACL and MCL in October and will miss his sophomore year at Missouri. During his freshman year his strength and durability was a question. Upon his return, Porter needs to bulk up his frame if he wants to make it at the next level. Right now he’s a stretch five but with the right coaching, I think he can turn into a quality NBA big man who can defend the rim and crash the boards.
20. Utah Jazz - Brandon Clarke, F, Gonzaga - At a listed 6-foot-8 Clarke has the bounce to be a great shot blocker at the college level. Although that may not transfer to the NBA, he has the hop and athleticism to defend the power forward position. He has the ability to step out and knock down three as well and the ability to defend the wing. He’s a high motor guy who’s going to give his all in everything he does.
21. Cleveland Cavaliers via Houston Rockets - Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas - The Cavaliers could easily go any position in the draft to better it’s team. With taking R.J. Barrett with the third overall pick in this draft and having point guard Collin Sexton on the roster already, the Cavaliers could look to add a front court piece with their newly acquired 21st overall selection. Gafford is a name that could easily be off the board at this point when it's all said and done. He’s extremely athletic and has a lot of bounce to go along with his lengthy frame. He can play above the rim with ease at the NBA level and has the ability to block a lot of shots.
22. Portland Trailblazers - Talen Horton-Tucker, SF, Iowa State - Who knows what the Trailblazers plan to do in the future but adding a player of Horton-Tucker's talent will only help. Although small for the NBA three, he makes up for it with his his basketball IQ and athleticism. He can guard anyone from the 1-3 and even the 4. He has polished handles and a quality three ball.
23. Philadelphia 76ers - Tre Jones, PG, Duke - This feels too good of a fit to pass up. Jones is a slashing guard with great vision, much like that of the 76ers current starting point guard. Jones is a great defensive guard and has the ability to attack the lane. The Duke big three gets all the attention but Jones is a quality NBA talent.
24. Boston Celtics - Coby White, G, North Carolina - With the future of Kyrie Irving in doubt, the Celtics will either need to find replacements or prepare for a future departure. White can play both the 1-2 at the NBA level. He’s an excellent shooter and has great size to succeed.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Luka Samanic, PF, Croatia - Sekou Doumbouya is getting all of the international attention. However, Samanic is a very talented big man out of Croatia. His traditional offensive post game is slightly under developed at this time, but his slashing ability makes him an interesting selection and talent. His ability to get to the rim and slash the lane at 6-foot-11 can see his unique skill set transfer to the NBA. On a team full with athletes, Samanic could be a great fit.
26. Indiana Pacers - Grant Williams, SF, Tennessee - The Pacers could potentially lose veterans Thaddeus Young, Darren Collison and Bojan Bogdanovic to free agency and need to look into bringing in running mates for the likes of Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner and Aaron Holiday. Williams is scoring nearly 20-points per game for one of the best college teams in the nation. He’s shooting over 30-percent from three and 58-percent from the floor. He has good size and could very well see his game transfer to the NBA with ease.
27. Denver Nuggets - Admiral Schofield, F, Tennessee - The Nuggets are an interesting team. They’re build around a center and therefore need unique players and situations to make things work. One of those unique fits are players who are two-way players, who can play a multitude of positions. Schofield can play guard or forward. He is a tank of a man who has a quality jump shot. He’s perfect for the Nuggets.
28. San Antonio Spurs via Toronto Raptors - Ayo Dosunmu, PG, Illinois - The Spurs love themselves guards who play with high motors and aggressive defense. Donsunmu could be their guy. He’s aggressive on offense as well in getting to the rim. He recently re-worked his jumper so that’s something to look for.
29. Milwaukee Bucks - Goga Bitadze, C, Georgia - Bitadze seems to fit the Bucks’ model of high intensity, swarm to the basketball type of player. He likes to bang when in the post and is very strong. He has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and can finish around the rim. He’s a high motor guy who will give a lot of intensity to a team.
30. Golden State Warriors - Eric Paschall, F, Villanova - Paschall is a two way player who can play lockdown defense and shoot the ball very well from the outside. He’s a four year player at Villanova and would be an instant plug-and-place bench piece that could be crucial for the Warriors moving forward.
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