With the 2018 NBA Draft literally just hours away, the intrigue is growing at a fast pace. Fans are preparing for their next star or next bust, hopeful trades, and much, much more. Let’s look at a few things to keep an eye on:
Who will be taken 1st overall?
Sam Bass: Luka Doncic will be taken first overall. He lacks size and physicality that Ayton and Bagley have, but he has shown capability to produce and score at the professional level. The suns need immediate scoring to aid their poor 2017 campaign and Doncic offers more immediate production than every other player in the draft.
Mitchell Curtis: DeAndre Ayton
Nick Musial: DeAndre Ayton
Ariel Puterman: DeAndre Ayton
Mat Mlodzinski: DeAndre Ayton
Who is the biggest sleeper in the draft?
Bass: The biggest sleeper is Jerome Robinson. Robinson had a phenomenal season in the ACC and proved he has the star power others coming out of college lack. Robinson is an effective scorer and a proven leader. Although undersized, Robinson has proven he can be effective vs. the ACC fowards such as Wendell Carter and Ben Lammers.
Curtis: Mikal Bridges
Musial: Robert Williams III
Puterman: Trevon Duval (late round), Zhaire Smith (lottery)
Mlodzinski: Angel Delgado
Who has the potential to be the biggest bust in the draft?
Bass: The biggest bust is Trae Young. Although Young had an exceptional year for Oklahoma, his flaws really showed towards the end of his freshman year. Young shoots at a low percentage and often takes shots that are contested and end offensive possessions early. He is small for his position and not strong enough to battle past defenders in the NBA. Young also had trouble taking care of the basketball, turning it over at an alarming rate in the second half of conference play. Young has not proven he can be a leader and guide his team to success, and his tendency to take low percentage shots makes it difficult for him to be a role player. Given Young will be drafted with a lottery pick, he will be unable to live up to very high expectations at the next level.
Curtis: Trae Young
Musial: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Puterman: Wendell Carter
Mlodzinski: Trae Young
What’s one trade you’d like to see?
Bass: Id love to see the Celtics trade up for another young talent in their already thriving young team. A possible Knicks-Celtics trade would be helpful for both sides, the Celtics could acquire a young point guard for the future and for the long run, and the Knicks would get their floor general for the upcoming season. In addition, Irving, growing up in New Jersey, was raised a Knicks fan, so it would work out for all sides.
Curtis: A trade involving Andrew Wiggins.
Musial: Bulls trade up to get Mo Bamba.
Puterman: If the Hawks draft Doncid, then the Kicks trade the 8th pick, a 2nd rounder, and Mudiay for the Grizzlies 4th pick and Parsons.
Mlodzinski: Knicks trade up for Michael Porter Jr.