tl;dr: Celtics take Keita Bates-Diop
Who's going No. 1, and how far has star Oklahoma guard Trae Young climbed? What prospect can the Cleveland Cavaliers -- or a potential trade partner -- land with the Brooklyn Nets pick?
We're nearly three months into the college basketball season, with the most important 10-week stretch now in front of us. The top teams are playing meaningful games against each other on a nightly basis now, which is helping us get a much better handle on who the best NBA prospects are and who might need to consider coming back for more seasoning.
Our mock draft differs in two crucial ways from our recently updated top-100 prospect rankings. It uses ESPN's BPI to project the draft order, and it's adjusted for NBA team needs accordingly. It also attempts to project which players will ultimately end up declaring and keeping their name in the draft.
With recruiting analysts widely describing the 2018 high school senior class as one of the weakest in memory, the 2019 draft is not projected to be particularly strong, nor deep, which may cause players currently in college to think long and hard about returning to school for another year.
The depth of the 2018 draft hasn't emerged at this stage either, as scouts say there is a significant drop-off in talent outside the lottery, and they are struggling to find 30 players worthy of being granted guaranteed contracts by being picked in the first round.
That will make the next 10 weeks all the more important, as the best way for under-the-radar prospects to emerge will always be by winning games and leading their teams on deep runs through postseason tournaments. With college basketball as wide open as we've seen in some time, there will likely be a significant amount of upheaval in our own rankings depending on how players finish off their seasons.
1. Sacramento Kings
Luka Doncic
Real Madrid
Age: 18.9
PG
Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 228 | PER: 27.5
Although the Kings have some interesting backcourt pieces, they still have a ways to go in terms of turning into a cohesive unit capable of winning games.
Doncic has the size, skill and versatility to fit in very well alongside all their young talent, and he would pair very well with an athletic shot-creator who can defend multiple positions in De'Aaron Fox. He's having a phenomenal season in Europe, posting historic numbers in the Euroleague and Spanish ACB for an 18-year-old.
Starting salary: $8,095,680
2. Atlanta Hawks
Deandre Ayton
Arizona
Freshman
C
Height: 7-foot | Weight: 243 | PER: 32.8
The Hawks are not in a position to draft based on need at this stage of their rebuilding effort, and there are question marks about how well promising big man John Collins fits in alongside another center who doesn't protect the rim at an elite rate.
Nevertheless, Ayton has elevated himself into the conversation as a top-two pick with his incredible natural physical tools and high skill level. His rebounding and scoring prowess could be very attractive here, even if Mohamed Bamba might actually be a better fit stylistically.
Starting salary: $7,243,440
3. Phoenix Suns
Mohamed Bamba
Texas
Freshman
C
Height: 7-foot | Weight: 207 | PER: 28.2
With Tyson Chandler on the wrong side of 30 and Alex Len entering unrestricted free agency, shoring up the center position looks like a natural move for the Suns here. It helps that they won't be sacrificing anything in terms of talent, as Bamba will likely get some looks in the top two as well due to his rare combination of length, shot-blocking instincts and offensive promise.
Bamba is starting to make 3-pointers more consistently (6-for-17 in his past 8 games), and his unicorn potential gives him arguably the highest upside of any player in this draft.
Starting salary: $6,504,600
4. Orlando Magic
Marvin Bagley III
Duke
Freshman
C
Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 234 | PER: 32.7
Although there are some positional concerns regarding Bagley and his fit in the modern NBA, at some point his talent level and sheer production are likely too great to pass on.
Although the Magic could very well be in the market for a point guard, there are still question marks about whether Trae Young is worthy of being picked this high. Bagley is likely best suited for the center spot, and his scoring instincts, rebounding prowess and athleticism would make for an interesting fit alongside Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac.
Starting salary: $5,864,640
5. Chicago Bulls
Jaren Jackson
Michigan State
Freshman
C
Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 242 | PER: 28.2
At 6-foot-11, 242 pounds with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, it's very likely that Jackson sees significant minutes at center in the NBA as his promising frame fills out, rather than at the 4 like he mostly does in college at the moment. Jackson's ability to space the floor (45 percent from 3; 81 percent from the line), block shots (5.7 per 40 minutes), switch on every screen and, increasingly, put the ball on the floor from the perimeter make him an ideal fit for the modern NBA.
He would complement the promising Lauri Markkanen well in many ways and has significant upside to grow into as well, as he's the youngest player currently projected to be drafted.
Starting salary: $5,310,720
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets)
Michael Porter Jr.
Missouri
Freshman
PF
Height: 6-foot-10 | Weight: 214
With an uncertain future on the horizon due to LeBron James' free agency, the Cavs will need to stockpile as much talent as they can regardless of their hopes of keeping the King at home. Michael Porter came into the season with the hope of making a run at being the No. 1 pick in the draft, but unfortunately he hasn't been able to build his case due to a back injury.
The results of his medical examination will play a significant role in where he is ultimately drafted, but NBA teams don't appear to be overly concerned right now about the nature of the injury and his long-term prognosis.
Starting salary: $4,823,520
Cleveland will receive Brooklyn's first-round pick unprotected.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)
Trae Young
Oklahoma
Freshman
PG
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 176 | PER: 34.6
The Sixers are in line to draft in the top 10 due to the shrewd Michael Carter-Williams trade made by Sam Hinkie three years ago, as long as the pick doesn't fall between Nos. 2-5.
If this season has shown us anything, it's that Philadelphia is still in need of help with shot creation and shot making, despite the promising play of Ben Simmons at PG. Young's tremendous shooting prowess will allow him to play at different spots on the floor, even alongside Markelle Fultz.
Starting salary: $4,403,280
Philadelphia will receive L.A.'s pick if it lands at No. 1 or Nos. 6-30. Otherwise, the pick goes to Boston. BPI projects that Philly has a 78.1 percent chance of getting this pick, with a 5.0 percent chance that it ends up No. 1.
8. Dallas Mavericks
Wendell Carter Jr.
Duke
Freshman
C
Height: 6-foot-10 | Weight: 263 | PER: 31.0
Carter's season got off to a slow start, but he has been Duke's best player of late and is starting to recapture his status as a potential top-10 pick, which is where he started the season.
The Mavs could certainly use help in the frontcourt, and Carter's basketball IQ and versatility are promising in many ways.
Starting salary: $4,033,800
9. Memphis Grizzlies
Miles Bridges
Michigan State
Sophomore
SF/PF
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 226 | PER: 25.8
With Chandler Parsons perpetually hurt and the Grizzlies continually struggling to find firepower at the combo forward position, it could make sense for Memphis to look at Miles Bridges, who is arguably the best athlete in this draft.
He has struggled to make the full-time transition to small forward at times for Michigan State, but he undoubtedly has potential as a two-way forward who can guard all over the floor and give you enough shooting, ballhandling and passing to get by at one of the most important positions in today's NBA.
Starting salary: $3,708,120
10. New York Knicks
Collin Sexton
Alabama
Freshman
PG
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 183 | PER: 23.8
Frank Ntilikina has had some nice rookie moments, but the Knicks are finding out that the long-armed, 6-foot-5 guard is seemingly better suited playing alongside a more dominant ball handler and shot creator who can take some of the scoring responsibilities off his shoulders.
Enter Sexton, who looks like a nice pairing with his tremendous aggressiveness driving the lane, taking off-the-dribble jumpers and putting defensive pressure on opposing guards. NBA teams have some concerns about Sexton's ability to stay healthy due to his reckless style of play, and he has seemingly been dinged up all season, which hasn't helped matters.
Starting salary: $3,522,480
11. Utah Jazz
Mikal Bridges
Villanova
Junior
SF
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 200 | PER: 27.5
Every team in the NBA is searching for depth on the wing, and the Jazz are no exception.
Bridges' ability to make shots, defend anywhere from 1-4 and play within a system make him an easy fit on almost any team's roster, even if his overall upside is limited to an extent by his lack of shot creation.
Starting salary: $3,346,560
12. Charlotte Hornets
Kevin Knox
Kentucky
Freshman
PF
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 205 | PER: 16.4
Knox hasn't had a very efficient freshman season, partially due to his playing out of position, but there's a significant market in the NBA for combo forwards in his mold who can make an open shot, defend multiple positions and offer some offensive versatility. He's one of the youngest players in this draft, so he still has plenty of room to continue to grow. Marvin Williams is the only true power forward on Charlotte's roster, but at age 31, he doesn't appear to be part of the impending rebuilding plans.
Starting salary: $3,179,280
13. LA Clippers
Robert Williams
Texas A&M
Sophomore
C
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 237 | PER: 25.4
Williams has had a somewhat disappointing sophomore season, partially due to his playing out of position as a power forward in traditional dual-post player lineups.
His game is tailor-made for the NBA, though, as a rim-running, pick-and-roll-finishing, shot-blocker/offensive rebounder in the Clint Capela mold. With DeAndre Jordan in the final year of his contract, the Clippers could certainly look to Williams as a potential successor.
Starting salary: $3,020,280
14. Denver Nuggets
Troy Brown
Oregon
Freshman
SF
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 210 | PER: 19.1
The Nuggets have been cycling through options at the small forward position all season and could very well look to address that position in the draft and/or free agency this summer.
Brown's versatility as a big ball handler, defender and rebounder is intriguing in a league that is starved for wing players, but his inconsistency as a perimeter shooter has made it difficult for him to fully break out. Being the third-youngest player in this draft class means he still has time to address that.
Starting salary: $2,869,320
15. Indiana Pacers
Dzanan Musa
Cedevita
Age: 18.5
SF
Height: 6-foot-9 | Weight: 195 | PER: 20.8
Unless a major upgrade at point guard presents itself, shooting and depth at the wing/combo forward spots will likely be priorities for the Pacers this offseason, similar to most teams in the NBA.
Musa's size, scoring instincts and aggressiveness could be intriguing for the Pacers at this stage of the draft. He's one of the youngest players in this class but is already very productive in Europe, playing at a fairly high level.
Starting salary: $2,725,680
16. Detroit Pistons
Chandler Hutchison
Boise St.
Senior
SF
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 193 | PER: 25.8
The Pistons have been cycling through small forward options all season and haven't gotten great production from that position.
Hutchison has made significant strides with his game as a senior. He looks primed to take advantage of the lack of wing depth in the draft, and the NBA in general, this June. He has outstanding physical tools and is a much improved ball handler and perimeter shooter.
Starting salary: $2,589,480
17. Milwaukee Bucks
Daniel Gafford
Arkansas
Freshman
C
Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 217 | PER: 27.0
Gafford made a big jump in our most recent top-100 prospect rankings, but the glut of big men in this class makes it difficult for him to crack the lottery in this team-needs-based mock draft. The Bucks are one team that could certainly be looking to add depth at the center spot, where John Henson has been holding the fort down inconsistently and Thon Maker has yet to prove his long-term viability.
Gafford's tremendous physical tools and significant upside will likely help him hear his name called somewhere in the top 20, with a strong pre-draft process.
Starting salary: $2,460,000
Phoenix will receive Milwaukee's pick if it lands in Nos. 11-16. BPI projects that Phoenix has a 45.9 percent chance of landing this pick.
18. Portland Trail Blazers
Lonnie Walker IV
Miami
Freshman
SG/SF
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 206 | PER: 17.4
Portland's wing rotation has been highly unstable all season, as the team searches for consistent 3-point shooting and defensive versatility alongside its star guards.
Walker hasn't had a very productive freshman season, but the lack of depth at the wing position has kept his name in the first-round discussion as scouts wait to see if his performance stabilizes as the year moves on. His youth, strong frame, 6-foot-10½ wingspan and ability to shoot with his feet set or off the dribble make him a candidate to rise during the pre-draft process as teams search for upside and diamonds in the rough.
Starting salary: $2,337,000
19. New Orleans Pelicans
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kentucky
Freshman
PG/SG
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 171 | PER: 19.4
With Rajon Rondo in the last year of his deal and no clear successor behind him, it would make sense for the Pelicans to think about drafting a versatile point guard who can operate in different lineups without dominating the ball for a team whose usage is largely sucked up by DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.
Gilgeous-Alexander has the size, length, multipositional defensive versatility and unselfishness needed to operate as a role player alongside stars.
Starting salary: $2,231,760
20. Washington Wizards
Bruce Brown
Miami
Sophomore
SG
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 200 | PER: 17.6
The Wizards have been cycling through backup guards for quite some time, never quite finding the right lineup combinations to hold down the fort while All-Stars John Wall and Bradley Beal rest.
Combo guard Bruce Brown is having a disappointing sophomore year thus far, and much of his placement in this mock draft is based on the assumption that he will continue to bounce back as the season moves on. Nevertheless, he's a willing passer, lockdown defender and gritty rebounder, and he has shown enough promise with his jump shot at times to lead you to believe that he will become adequate here eventually. There's a significant market for players in his mold, provided that he finishes the season strong.
Starting salary: $2,142,360
Minnesota will receive Oklahoma City's pick if it is outside the lottery.
21. Philadelphia 76ers
Khyri Thomas
Creighton
Junior
SG/SF
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 210 | PER: 20.9
This might feel a tad high for Thomas, whose counting numbers don't jump off the page, but there's a lot to like about his fit on the Sixers rosters, considering his highly pronounced strengths.
Thomas is one of the better defenders in college basketball, capable of guarding three positions with his 6-foot-11 wingspan. He's also a willing ball-mover, a promising spot-up shooter and exactly the type of gritty and unselfish character the NBA covets in role players. The Sixers have seen their wing depth stretched incredibly thin this season and might look to bolster their rotation with a player in Thomas' mold.
Starting salary: $2,056,680
Atlanta will receive Minnesota's pick if it is outside the lottery.
22. Phoenix Suns (via Heat)
Trevon Duval
Duke
Freshman
PG
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 191 | PER: 16.7
The Suns are in dire need of a starting-caliber point guard after trading Eric Bledsoe to the Bucks.
Duval has had a somewhat disappointing freshman year thus far and has seen his stock drop significantly from where he started the season. The Suns could opt to take a flyer on the big, long-armed, athletic guard, hoping that a change of scenery and NBA spacing help him realize the potential he demonstrated in high school down the road. Duval's jump shot looks irrevocably broke, but he displays enough promise in other areas to warrant a flyer at this stage of the draft.
Starting salary: $1,974,480
Phoenix will receive Miami's pick if it is outside the top seven.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers
Anfernee Simons
IMG Academy (HS)
Age: 18.4
SG
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 183
The Cavs could very well be preparing for life without LeBron, and with that in mind, it makes sense for them to take a swing on upside and hope talent wins out.
Simons is one of the least NBA-ready players in the draft, but he's intriguing due to his combination of youth, athleticism and shot-making prowess. He's a few years away from panning out, but at this stage of the draft, there isn't much risk.
Starting salary: $1,895,520
24. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder)
Shake Milton
SMU
Junior
PG/SG
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 207 | PER: 24.8
Minnesota's guard and wing rotation have been a work in progress since the offseason and will likely need to be shored up over the summer.
A player such as Milton -- who has the size and length to defend all three backcourt spots, can operate on or off the ball and is a consistent outside shooter -- could make some sense.
Starting salary: $1,819,800
25. San Antonio Spurs
Mitchell Robinson
College: None
Freshman
C
Height: 6-foot-11 | Weight: 215
With the Spurs' incumbent big men starters both in their mid-30s and no clear-cut successor in waiting, it might make sense for San Antonio's front office to consider drafting a project center to develop long-term.
Robinson is one of the most talented prospects in the draft physically -- with impressive length, athleticism and shot-blocking instincts -- but he is a long way from contributing. The fact that he elected not to play college basketball this season won't help his NBA readiness, but at some point in the draft, he's worth rolling the dice on.
Starting salary: $1,746,840
26. Atlanta Hawks (via Thunder)
De'Anthony Melton
USC
Sophomore
PG/SG
Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 195
With the second of their three first-round picks, the Hawks might look to add some backcourt depth, specifically someone who can play behind or alongside incumbent starters Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore.
Melton looked to be on the verge of a breakout season for USC before the FBI investigation shut him down indefinitely. His defensive versatility, toughness and intangibles make him a prospect worth investing in.
Starting salary: $1,689,000
27. Boston Celtics
Keita Bates-Diop
Ohio St.
Junior
PF
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 235 | PER: 29.9
The Celtics love long-armed, multipositional defenders who can make shots from the perimeter, and Bates-Diop has increased his stock dramatically with a breakout season.
He's been sliding among all of the frontcourt positions for surging Ohio State and looks like an ideal fit for the modern NBA if he can find a way to rev his motor into higher gear at the professional level.
Starting salary: $1,640,400
Brooklyn will receive Toronto's pick if it is outside the lottery.
28. Brooklyn Nets (via Raptors)
Hamidou Diallo
Kentucky
Sophomore
SG/SF
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 188 | PER: 16.1
The Nets were reportedly looking to lock down Diallo at the NBA draft early-entry withdrawal deadline last year, but they ultimately traded the pick after he elected to return to Kentucky.
Diallo's stock has stagnated somewhat as he hasn't made the type of progress scouts were hoping to see with his feel for the game or skill level. Still, he's one of the best athletes in the draft and could very well continue to improve with the right skill-development coaching, as he's very young and reportedly has a strong work ethic.
Starting salary: $1,630,320
29. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets)
Melvin Frazier
Tulane
Junior
SF
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 200 | PER: 25.2
The Hawks are still figuring out their wing rotation long-term and could look to bolster that spot with additional depth.
Frazier's stock has been moving in the right direction in what has been a very impressive junior season at Tulane. He's a tremendous athlete, standing 6-foot-6 with a nearly 7-foot wingspan, and he's making 41 percent of his 3-pointers this season.
Starting salary: $1,618,320
Atlanta will receive Houston's pick if it is outside the top three.
30. Golden State Warriors
Landry Shamet
Wichita St.
Sophomore
PG/SG
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 188 | PER: 24.2
The best 3-point-shooting team in the NBA is always on the lookout for more ways to stretch the court, so in some ways Shamet is a natural fit. He's shooting 50 percent from 3 on the season, combining a potent pull-up jumper with the ability to come off screens, and he's arguably the most consistent spot-up jumper in the college game.
Shamet sees most of his minutes at point guard despite standing 6-foot-4, thanks to his terrific feel for the game and all-around creativity, but there are some question marks about his ability to create his own shot at the NBA level.
Starting salary: $1,606,680
Round 2
31. Kings
Brandon McCoy | C | Freshman | UNLV
32. Hawks
Rodions Kurucs | SF/PF | ACB/LEB Gold | Barcelona/Barcelona 2
33. Suns
Jalen Hudson | SG/SF | Junior | Florida
34. Magic
Jevon Carter | PG | Senior | West Virginia
35. Knicks (via Bulls)
Grayson Allen | SG | Senior | Duke
36. 76ers (via Nets)
Chimezie Metu | C | Junior | USC
37. Nets (via Lakers)
Devonte' Graham | PG | Senior | Kansas
38. Mavericks
Jacob Evans | SF | Junior | Cincinnati
39. Grizzlies
Aaron Holiday | PG | Junior | UCLA
40. 76ers (via Knicks)
Kevin Hervey | PF | Senior | Texas Arlington
41. Jazz
Rawle Alkins | SG/SF | Sophomore | Arizona
42. Suns (via Hornets)
Jalen Brunson | PG | Junior | Villanova
43. Knicks (via Clippers)
Arnoldas Kulboka | SF | Italy/Champions League | Capo D'Orlando
44. Lakers (via Nuggets)
Bonzie Colson | PF | Senior | Notre Dame
45. Pacers
Allonzo Trier | SG | Junior | Arizona
46. Pistons
Amine Noua | PF | France/EuroCup | Villeurbanne
47. Bucks
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk | SG/SF | Senior | Kansas
48. Nuggets (via Blazers)
Vincent Edwards | SF/PF | Senior | Purdue
49. Bulls (via Pelicans)
Ethan Happ | PF | Junior | Wisconsin
50. Wizards
Alize Johnson | PF | Senior | Missouri State
51. Sixers
Ray Spalding | PF | Junior | Louisville
52. Rockets (via Heat)
Moritz Wagner | PF | Junior | Michigan
53. Hornets (via Cavaliers)
Matur Maker | PF | International | Mississauga Prep
54. Thunder
Isaac Haas | C | Senior | Purdue
55. Spurs
Karim Jallow | SG/SF | Germany/Germany 3 | Bayern Muenchen II
56. Wolves
Maximo Fjellerup | SF/PF | Argentina | Bahia Blanca
57. Thunder (via Celtics)
Dakota Mathias | SG/SF | Senior | Purdue
58. Suns (via Raptors)
Milik Yarbrough | SG | Junior | Illinois State
59. 76ers (via Rockets)
Donte Grantham | SF/PF | Senior | Clemson
60. Nuggets (via Warriors)
Elie Okobo | PG/SG | France | Pau-Orthez
Topic: ESPN Mock Draft (1/25) (Read 1432 times)