2018 NBA Mock Draft

The 2018 NBA Draft is Thursday, June 21st and I thought that having a mock draft would be fun to do. James is back to draft with me, we alternated picks and since he was the guest I gave him the #1 overall pick. Of course we cannot predict the future and I can almost guarantee we will see a trade or two with teams moving up and down the draft board. We picked who we thought the team would pick and the player that would fit best for that organization. You can find hundreds and hundreds of mock drafts so I decided to add a little wrinkle to it, I also ranked each guy's hair style game (shout out to the Anything But Credible Podcast's own Nick Duggan for the idea). Since I am bald I figured I am an expert on anything hair. Before we get to the drafting, why does no one rock the cornrows anymore? If you have cornrows everyone loves you and I guarantee it makes you 10-20% better then you really are. Melo rocked cornrows at Syracuse and they won the National Championship, that's all I'm saying. Without further adieu let's get to the drafting:

1. Suns: DeAndre Ayton, C University of Arizona Height: 7'0" Weight: 243 Age: 19
James: This pick is as much about the Suns as it is about Ayton. Ayton is the most complete big man in the draft and sizes up to be a 10-15 year player in the NBA. I don't believe he has the highest ceiling in the draft, but for a team like Phoenix, this is a safe bet. He has a body built for the NBA and will be able to slide in to the middle of their team and contribute immediately. He appears athletic enough to step out and cover on switches, but time will tell if he has the lateral quickness to stick with NBA guards on pick and rolls. He was atrocious on defense at Arizona but that could be because he was not locked in as a college player and was looking to the NBA.
     -Hair Game: 4/10 Curls with Basic Fade, unfortunately our #1 pick has a pretty basic hair style so nothing special here. This style is super popular with a lot of a draft picks.

2. Kings: Luka Doncic, PG/SG Real Madrid Height: 6'8" Weight: 228 Age: 19
Kyle: I believe Doncic is the best player in this draft, at the age of 19 he is playing in the second best league in the world and has put up awesome numbers. His offensive game is pretty damn flawless and at the age of 19 his defense can only improve. The court vision he possesses at the age of 19 is extremely special, go on YouTube and look up his videos. Clearly he isn't going to make the Kings a playoff contender but he will help them continue their rebuild with DeAaron Fox and the rest of their young players. But knowing the Kings they will either make a trade for nothing or draft a late round guy.
     -Hair Game: 4/10 Middle Part,  Walk down any high school in America and you will see 400 guys walking around with the same hair cut Doncic rocks.

3. Hawks: Mo Bamba, C University of Texas Height: 7'0" Weight: 226 Age: 20
J: I think Bamba has the most upside in this draft. He is long, athletic and has a high motor. He doesn't have a reliable offensive game yet but could be a Clint Capella type of player. Bamba has shown signs of improving his jumper and has shown the ability to step out to the 3-point line. He is an athletic freak and teams always love that. I think his style of play would match up well with last years first round pick John Collins. If the Hawks take Bamba, their front court would be set for the future and they could build around those guys.
     -Hair Game: 6/10 Afro Fade with Part Line, very similar to Ayton but it is a little taller and has that part line into it so he gets a little higher grade then our #1 pick.

4. Grizzlies: Marvin Bagley, PF/C Duke Height: 6'11" Weight: 234 Age: 19
K: Bagley is a tough prospect to gauge, he had a really good season at Duke but a lot of scouts question how his game will translate to the NBA. He isn't a huge guy so he won't be able to bang down low but he doesn't have the shot to step outside. In today's NBA he really doesn't have a position but he is definitely one of the most talented guys in the draft. He works his butt off and has the ability to play solid defense on guards because of his lateral quickness. For me, Bagley is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft.
     -Hair Game: 7/10 Mohawk Fade, this one was tough to name but its a pretty sick hairstyle it reminds me of an afro but more under control you could say.

5. Mavericks: Jaren Jackson Jr. PF/C Michigan State University Height: 6'11"
Weight: 236 Age: 18
J: Jackson is a guy that is not talked about enough in my opinion, he is a natural big who showed the ability to step out and hit threes in college. He is a good rebounder and plays solid defense. He will need to bulk up but would be a great paring with Dennis Smith Jr and could be dynamic in pick and roll situations. Plus he is one of the youngest guys in the draft and has one of the highest ceilings.
     -Hair Game: 1/10 Buzz, one of the best prospects in the draft but man step up your hair game, a simple buzz? Come on now.

6. Magic: Trae Young, PG Oklahoma Height: 6'1" Weight: 178 Age: 19
K: The most polarizing player in the entire draft I think, he exploded on the college scene and took ESPN by storm. They had a "Trae Young Counter" during games that would keep track of his stats during games. He definitely had his ups and downs though, he made a lot of careless turnovers and took a lot of wild shots. Young is clearly of player of the Steph Curry generation, he can win you a game but can also lose you one as he did at OU. His defense is non-existent and will be bullied by bigger stronger guards in the NBA. However for a franchise looking for some excitement I think he would be great for Orlando.
     -Hair Game: -10/10 thinning?, he might have the thinnest hair I have ever see and it is just a bad look, shave it clean and rock a headband or something my man.

7. Bulls: Mikal Bridges, SG/SF Villanova Height: 6'7" Weight: 200 Age: 21
J: The Bulls should but probably will not take Bridges, being a part of multiple National Championship teams at Nova has helped build his leadership qualities. He has the body and game type that will translate to the NBA immediately. He is long, shoots the 3 well, and is a solid defender. I don't think he has super star potential but at #7 he would continue the rebuilding process alongside Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen. Bridges could be the new version of Jimmy Butler if he is allowed to develop.
     -Hair Game: 2/10 Buzz, like Jackson he rocks the simple buzz cut but he has a solid beard connecting to it so he gets a little bump in the rating system.

8. Cavaliers: Michael Porter Jr. SF Mizzou Height: 6'10" Weight: 211 Age: 19
K: No matter what happens with LeBron in Cleveland this could be the steal of the draft. Unfortunately Porter missed basically the whole season at Mizzou because of back surgery which is not great for his draft stock but the guy's offensive game might be the best in the whole draft. He has a sweet shooting stroke and is a good athletic finisher around the rim. Of course he has to improve his ball handling and put up more then just offensive stats to avoid the Andrew Wiggins comparison. His potential is sky high as long as his injury concerns are nothing serious. Wherever he winds up he will be an offensive force.
     -Hair Game: 7/10 Short Curl with Fade and Part Line, Porter has a similar style to Ayton but it's a little shorter on top and he has the "part line" cut into it making it look crisp as hell.

9. Knicks: Wendell Carter Jr. PF/ C Duke Height: 6'10" Weight: 251 Age: 19
J: There is no way for the Knicks to really get this pick right. They are far from having any semblance of play style and outside of Porzingis they bring nothing to the table. They have at least one more year of bad contracts on the books before they can really retool their roster. That's why I take Carter here, he is going to be solid and will give the Knicks an offensive rebound machine. He is a shot blocker that can take the pressure off Porzingis on the defensive end. Not a great athletic guy but for a player his size he moves well and knows exactly where to be at the right time.
     -Hair Game: 6/10 Mini Afro, kind of rocks the mini afro, I am not exactly sure what to call it but the reason he gets a higher score is because he will add color to it sometimes and that needs to continue into the NBA.

10. Sixers: Miles Bridges, SF Michigan State Height: 6'6" Weight: 220 Age: 20
K: Another guy like Mikal Bridges who could have gone pro last year but decided to stay another year to improve his game. I think Miles is the most forgotten guy in this draft and the kid can ball. He isn't necessarily great at any one thing but is above average across the board and for a Sixers team looking to win now this is a great pick. He would give them solid bench minutes and contribute on both ends of the floor. His athleticism and finishing around the basket are superb, if he improves his handle he could be one of the best players of this draft.
     -Hair Game: 4/10 Buzz with Part Line, nothing special here but if he continues to rock the headband in the NBA I am all in for it.

11. Hornets: Collin Sexton, PG Alabama Height: 6'1" Weight: 183 Age: 19
J: The Hornets and their relationship with Kemba Walker has frayed and this movie makes the most sent to me. Sexton is the best point guard in this draft and he would step right in Kemba's role. He is a natural leader and an electric player who carried Alabama through the SEC Tournament. He would be a guy who would start from day one, I look for Kemba to be traded during the draft for another first round pick possibly.
     -Hair Game: 9/10 Afro Fade Blowout, for me Sexton has the best hair in the lottery, it just looks so damn good and I think it fits his personality perfectly for some reason. Don't ever change it Collin.

12. Clippers: Kevin Knox, SF Kentucky Height: 6'9" Weight: 213 Age: 18
K: I could see the Clippers packaging these next two picks and trying to move up in the draft but I really like Kevin Knox for them. He is 18 and has a lot of room for growth, he played on a crowded Kentucky team and by the end of the season became "the guy" for them. He is a raw talent but 
showed flashes of his offensive prowess at Kentucky, he can finish with either hand and can score from a plethora of spots on the floor. He needs to improve his rebounding and defensive awareness to stay on the floor but he is only 18.
     -Hair Game: 4/10 Afro Fade, nothing special here, I told you the fade is THE haircut of these guys now. Someone needs cornrows.

13. Clippers: Zhaire Smith, SF Texas Tech Height: 6'4" Weight: 199 Age: 18
J: This is my favorite pick of the draft. The Clippers snag Zhaire and he turns their franchise into an unstoppable force that rolls through.....wait, my bad. Smith is a very good pick for the Clips here. I think he has fantastic upside and a great demeanor for an 18 year old kid. He reminds me a lot of Kawhi Leonard in that nobody knows who he is. He is an explosive above the rim player who has great defensive instincts. Like most guys of his skill set his offensive game is a work in progress but if he can put it all together watch out.
     -Hair Game: 3/10 Fade bowl cut? , Great name, great game, weak ass hair cut it looks like someone put a bowl on the crown of his head and shaved everything else around it. You do, you Zhaire.

14. Nuggets: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG/SG Kentucky Height: 6'6" Weight: 180
Age: 19
K: One of the most intriguing and frustrating prospects of the draft. Some games at UK he looked unstoppable and others you didn't realize he was on the court. He is a good defender and a solid playmaker but his offensive game is a work in progress. Think of a Michael Carter Williams type guy, but knowing the Nuggets they will trade the pick and whoever gets taken in this spot will be a franchise altering player.
     -Hair Game: 6/10 Fade but had some medium length dreads, he had a solid hairstyle and then cut it before a game against Louisville so he has a lot of potential here.