2018 NBA Draft Expert Picks and Predictions

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.

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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

Pick/Team | CBS | Sports Illustrated | Sporting News
6. Orlando Magic | Trae Young | Mohamed Bamba | Trae Young
| | |
7. Chicago Bulls | Collin Sexton | Trae Young | Mohamed Bamba
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets) | Miles Bridges | Wendell Carter | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
9. New York Knicks | Mohamed Bamba | Mikal Bridges | Wendell Carter
10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers) | Mikal Bridges | Lonnie Walker | Mikal Bridges
11. Charlotte Hornets | Wendell Carter Jr. | Kevin Knox | Lonnie Walker
12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Pistons) | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Collin Sexton | Collin Sexton
13. Los Angeles Clippers | Robert Williams | Robert Williams | Miles Bridges
14. Denver Nuggets | Kevin Knox | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Kevin Knox
15. Washington Wizards | Lonnie Walker | Miles Bridges | Khyri Thomas
16. Phoenix Suns (via Heat) | Troy Brown | Zhaire Smith | Aaron Holiday
17. Milwaukee Bucks | Keita Bates-Diop | Jerome Robinson | Robert Williams
18. San Antonio Spurs | Zhaire Smith | Troy Brown | Keita Bates-Diop
19. Atlanta Hawks (via Timberwolves) | Melvin Frazier | Kevin Huerter | Zhaire Smith
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder) | Kevin Huerter | Donte DiVincenzo | Gary Trent Jr
21. Utah Jazz | Chandler Hutchison | Dzanan Musa | Melvin Frazier
22. Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans) | Donte DiVincenzo | Chandler Hutchison | Anfernee Simons
23. Indiana Pacers | Elie Okobo | Aaron Holiday | Troy Brown
24.Portland Trail Blazers | Aaron Holiday | DE ‘Anthony Melton | Mo Wagner,
25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavaliers) | Khyri Thomas | Grayson Allen | Mitchell Robinson
26. Philadelphia 76ers | Josh Okogie | Mitchell Robinson | Grayson Allen
27. Boston Celtics | De’Anthony Melton | Jalen Brunson | Josh Okogie
28. Golden State Warriors | Grayson Allen | Josh Okogie | Chandler Hutchinson
29. Brooklyn Nets | Jacob Evans | Elie Okobo | Donte DiVincenzo
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets) | Mitchell Robinson | Melvin Frazier | Hamidou Diallo

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