It is finally here — the NBA Draft. Tonight is the night. Weeks on weeks on weeks of Twitter rumors and speculation comes to an end tonight.
While there are thousands of mock drafts to read and hundreds of “experts” weighing in, the truth is that the Memphis Grizzlies’ Front Office has done a pretty good job not sharing what they are doing this year. Hopefully it is because they love some player and they do not want someone to find out and trade up ahead of them to take him.
This mock draft will be based on what I have seen from watching hours and hours of film as well assessing teams’ needs. I have no inside sources, nor will I falsely claim I do. This is my best mock up of what I believe will happen tonight in one of the more unpredictable NBA Drafts in recent memory.
The Only Thing Anyone Seems To Be Sure About
This is the one pick that has remained a constant in all of my mock drafts, as well as most of the national mocks. Deandre Ayton is the sure fire number one pick in this draft and it would have to be an absolute curveball from Phoenix if it was anyone else.
I am not sure why talk of Luka Doncic being reunited with his Slovenia National Team coach in Phoenix has quieted but it has. So unless the Suns throw a massive curveball, the one pick anyone has been sure about, remains Ayton at No. 1.
The Picks That Decide The Entire Draft
Three players have been linked to the Kings here at two: Doncic, Marvin Bagley III and Michael Porter Jr. Vlade Divac will go with Bagley because he just makes sense. The Kings need frontcourt talent, period.
Dave Joeger has been known to desire a faster-paced offensive system. He is off to a good start with point guard De’Aaron Fox. Not really sure why they brought in a slow it down and bang player in Zach Randolph and a 40-year-old Vince Carter, though.
The Kings’ frontcourt consists of Randolph, Kosta Koufos, Skal Labissiere, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Harry Giles. Nothing that gets anyone excited. Enter Marvin Bagley. He immediately adds scoring and talent to this frontcourt.
Doncic may currently be the better player, but the Kings just need Bagley.
In all honesty, I do not believe at all that Luka Doncic will end the night a Hawk. I expect to see our first team trade up in the draft right here with this pick. Whether it is Dallas, Orlando, or a surprise team moving up, Doncic will be going top-three tonight.
Anything Can Happen
If you have not heard yet, Wendell Carter Jr. is the only lottery projected player to workout for the Memphis Grizzlies. Possibly a money play on his part — shoot your shot young man. Carter Jr. has one of the highest floors in the draft, making this pick a very very safe pick at four.
His ceiling is certainly not one of the highest, but rumor is that his Duke teammates all said they would take him over Marvin Bagley. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise?
In all reality, this is the nightmare scenario for the Grizzlies. Not having their choice of Bagley or Doncic. They could just as easily trade back, trying to dump Chandler Parsons, or they could take a huge risk with Michael Porter Jr. I just believe Chris Wallace loves Carter Jr. and his solid offensive game enough to take him here at four if they can not trade back.
A Projected Promise
If Doncic goes second to Sacramento, I could see Dallas trading with Atlanta to get Bamba. Just because Bamba does not want to go to Memphis, does not mean Memphis would not take him if he is the best player on the board.
Bamba is a freak athlete with even freakier measurements. He is a high ceiling-low floor player which is why he is not a lock in the top 3.
A Couple of Draft Slides
The opportunity to take a guy like Jaren Jackson Jr. here might determine what the Magic do with Aaron Gordon. Trying to make Gordon into a stretch-four was a disaster. Jackson can be that player and a better defender. Gordon is certainly the better athlete, but Jackson might actually be the better basketball player.
Michael Porter Jr. falling to seven is the dream scenario for the Bulls. MPJ loves Chicago and Chicago loves him. Pick seven is about the range where taking Porter is worth the risk of his injury. Chicago is not a threat to make a playoffs appearance next season, so if Porter does “redshirt”, it won’t matter.
A Lebron Guy?
This is the absolute highest Bridges could go in this draft. No matter what Dan Gilbert may say or think, the best chance to win another championship is to have Lebron James remain in Cleveland. Miles Bridges is the best case prospect for Cleveland. He is a guy that can be a future piece regardless if James stays or not, but he is also a guy that Lebron himself likes.
Smart money says take Bridges here, Dan.
More Sliders
The second dream scenario of the NBA Draft. Atlanta could trade back to 7 or 8 and take Trae Young before the Knicks get their. This is a marriage that the NBA wants and needs to happen. The basketball Mecca needs another star to play next to Porzingis, and Young could just be that guy.
Mikal Bridges’ ceiling in this draft is at pick seven. His ceiling as a player is not very high, but his floor is. He is one of, if not the most NBA ready player in this draft. Bridges would fit in perfectly next to Robert Covington and Ben Simmons as a 3-and-D player. He may never become a star, but he will be a solid starter for years in the league.