In less than a week, the 2018 NBA Draft will finally commence. For now, however, we all have the experts to tell us what to expect on June 21, when the NBA welcomes the newest batch of youngsters in the world’s best basketball league.
Expert Picks and Predictions for the NBA Draft on June 21, 2018
Where: Barclays Center – Brooklyn, N.Y.
When: Thursday, June 21 7 PM EST
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN.com or via ESPN mobile app
1. Phoenix Suns
CBS
Sports Illustrated
Sporting News
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton
Suns general manager Ryan McDonough likes to make it sound as though the Suns are still in a flux with regards as to which player they’d be spending the No. 1 pick on. However, all three experts here saying that it’s going to be Arizona product and big man Deandre Ayton. Ayton is a beast down low with some range. There may be questions about his defense, but the Suns can’t go wrong with him at least based on present metrics.
2. Sacramento Kings
CBS
Sports Illustrated
Sporting News
Marvin Bagley III
Marvin Bagley III
Luka Doncic
The Kings enter the draft with plenty of needs and Marvin Bagley can address some of those. The former Duke Blue Devil is a bucket-getter big man who can score with ease thanks to his size and athleticism. He can stretch the floor with his range and he’s also a monster on the glass. Sporting News, meanwhile, dreams for the Kings a backcourt tandem of De’Aaron Fox and European phenom Luka Doncic.
3. Atlanta Hawks
CBS
Sports Illustrated
Sporting News
Luka Doncic
Jaren Jackson
Marvin Bagley III
Luka Doncic is CBS’ pick for Atlanta, and the Hawks should take him. They’d be lucky to see Doncic available at his point of the draft, though. A pairing of Doncic and Dennis Schroder will would do wonders for Atlanta.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
CBS
Sports Illustrated
Sporting News
Michael Porter Jr.
Luka Doncic
Michael Porter Jr.
Sporting News and CBS both have MPJ landing on the laps of Memphis, a team which looks like it’s contemplating on a full rebuild. If the Grizz do, Porter is a great talent to start picking up the pieces with. Porter was once projected a top pick but a back injury in his first and only season in Missouri hurt his stock a bit. That said, he’s still young and brimming with immense potential. At 6-foot-10 with a penchant for scoring from almost anywhere on the floor, this kid is going to be special if his body holds up.
5. Dallas Mavericks
CBS
Sports Illustrated
Sporting News
Jaren Jackson
Michael Porter Jr.
Jaren Jackson
The Mavs are looking to make a solid draft for the second year in a row after taking Dennis Smith Jr. in 2017. This time, they could be looking at either Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mo Bamba to pair Smith with. Jackson and Bamba are both frontcourt stalwarts. The Mavs, however, could opt to find a big man in free agency and go after DeMarcus Cousins, so there’s a chance that Michael Porter would find his way to Dallas just like what SI projects.
Expert Predictions for the Rest of the First Round
