The 8 Points, 9 Seconds 2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0
By Jacob Lane
No. 22: San Antonio Spurs — Brandon McCoy, C, UNLV
Brandon McCoy has had a great year for a very mediocre UNLV team in his freshman season. With per 40 minute averages of 24.1 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, you’d think McCoy could be a 20/10 guy at the next level.
Here’s the problem. McCoy is an old-school center, who gets all of his points around the basket and doesn’t t shoot the ball outside the paint. He is a dominant rebounder and could develop into a Clint Capela type of center with the right team.
Pop has done a great job with developing guard DeJounte Murray, who was a very raw freshman coming out of Washington. I think he could do the same with McCoy.
No. 23: Atlanta Hawks — Shake Milton, PG/SG, SMU
Looking for a future Jimmy Butler type of player who gets drafted in the latter part of the first round and goes on to be a future all-star? Look no further.
Shake Milton is hands down my favorite player in this draft. He’s got incredible size for a point guard, standing at 6’6, he has a great stroke (shot 42% from 3) and has gotten significantly better each of his three years at SMU.
Atlanta needs playmakers and talent. They get both in this draft.
No. 24: Los Angeles Lakers — Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky
Hamidou Diallo almost came out of “school” (was a redshirt at UK last season) for the 2017 draft, and likely would’ve been a first rounder.
Many expected him to be a lottery pick in the 2018 draft, but there’s been a lot of flaws exposed in his game while playing at Kentucky.
He’s extremely athletic and can get you buckets in transition, and also has good size at 6’5. But outside of that, there’s not much in terms of substance to his game. He will need to shoot the ball much better (33% from 3) as well as learn to create for others (averaging 1.6 assists per game).
The Lakers have a good G-League team that has developed a lot of talent, and Diallo should be able to spend a season there learning how to be an NBA player.
No. 25 Chicago Bulls — Daniel Gafford, PF/C, Arkansas
At 6’11. 235 pounds Gafford already has an NBA ready body, and we saw that this season at Arkansas. The freshman won’t come to the NBA as the next great “stretch 4 or stretch 5” but instead fits the mold of a more 1990’s NBA big man.
Gafford excels in pick & rolls as well as posting up and is a highly effective scorer around the rim, averaging 12 points on just 7 shot attempts per game. While he hasn’t shot a single three this season, or many jump shots for that matter (just 18 total this season), which doesn’t fit with the new “ideal big man” in the NBA, Gafford’s ability to score does translate at the next level (I.e, Clint Capela).
No. 26: Portland Trail Blazers — Chandler Hutchison, SF, Boise State
Here’s what I wrote about Chandler Hutchison back in February, it’s still true.
"Chandler Hutchison is one the least known draft prospects but has been one of college basketball’s biggest breakout players in the 2017-18 season, and is currently shooting up draft boards. Hutchison has great size, great touch, is aggressive at attacking the glass for a wing, and has the potential to be a very good 3 & D player at the next level. While he is a senior (that seems to carry a negative connotation these days) his development hasn’t stopped and he’s shown he has the potential to get better."
Portland gets a 3-D wing, who is ready to contribute in the rotation from day one.
No. 27: Boston Celtics — Rodions Kurucs, SF, Latvia
Another foreign player who is likely to be a “draft and stash.” Kurucs would have been a first round pick had he stayed in the draft last year, but instead chose to stay overseas and improve his game. At 6’10 Kurucs has great size for a wing, and has nice potential to be a good shooter.
Boston is loaded with talent, especially younger players, and it is more likely that they package a few of them and possibly this pick in order to get back an established veteran who can help them win a championship,
No.28: Brooklyn Nets — Landry Shamet, PG, Wichita State
There’s not a better passing point guard in this class, aside from Trae Young, than Landry Shamet.
The junior guard out of Wichita State has great size for a point guard at 6’4, and has a natural feel for the game. As mentioned, he’s a very good passer, averaging 5.5 assists per game.
While you’d think that number would be higher, Wichita State has relied on their lead guard to be their primary scorer, which won’t be the case at the next level.
Shamet is a genius on the pick-and-roll, has a great hesitation dribble, see’s the floor very well, and has a great basketball IQ.
The Nets need talent, but more importantly, they need players who know how to win. Shamet brings both to the table.
No. 29: Golden State Warriors — Jaylen Adams, PG, St. Bonaventure
Jaylen Adams is one of the best players in college basketball that you’ve never heard of. The senior guard has even led his team to their first NCAA tournament victory in 48 years.
Adams can score with the best of the players in this draft, while also having the ability to create for his teammates and make them better.
With Shaun Livingston getting up there in age, Adams would be a great player to develop behind Stephen Curry.
No. 30 Atlanta Hawks — Jontay Porter, PF/C, Missouri
Once again I can’t stress enough that the Hawks need young talent. So how about taking the youngest player in the draft?
Jontay is the younger brother of Michael Porter Jr. and reclassified to join him at Missouri this season. While Michael didn’t get to play at all, Jontay stared for the Tigers and showed that he has the ability to be a good NBA player as well.
Next: The Book is better: What has Trevor Booker shown us?
Porter isn’t the most athletic big in this class by any means, but he is a very skilled player who has the ability to score in a lot of ways. The 6’11 freshman averaged 10.1 points per game, and 6.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 37% from deep, while only playing 24 minutes per game. However, per 40 minutes he averaged 16 & 11, which paints a better picture of his abilities.