8 points, 9 seconds
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The 8 Points, 9 Seconds 2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

By Jacob Lane

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) raises his arms in triumph during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) raises his arms in triumph during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns
AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 3: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns holds the ball from Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners at the Frank Erwin Center on February 3, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Cleveland Cavaliers (from Nets) — Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas

Finally, the mythical “Brooklyn pick” that we’ve heard about for what seems like 15 years, will be used this season. Cleveland will be making the selection after acquiring the pick from Boston in the Kyrie Irving deal this past summer.

This will be one of the most talked about draft picks in recent years, as Cleveland could be on the verge of losing LeBron James, again. If the Cavs do lose The King, this pick will be all about rebuilding.

If not, then Cleveland will be looking for a player who can come in right away and provide something to their lineup to get them back to the championship.

Mo Bamba would be the selection for me. There aren’t many players who stand at 7’0 tall, 230 pounds, who can block shots at an elite level (truly game changing level) while being able to stretch opposing defenses with his shooting.

Bamba’s offensive numbers this season have been a bit disappointing, as he’s averaged just 13 points per game, shooting 54% from the field, 29% from three, and 61% at the charity stripe. While the freshman center didn’t shoot great this season, you can see that the potential to eventually be a good shooting big is there.

Consistency is also an issue for the developing big, but you could easily see why scouts are drooling over a 7 foot center, with an 8 foot wing span. There was the 22 point, 15 rebound, 8 against Kansas, 24 and 12 against Iowa State, 16 and 16 against Baylor, and 25 and 15 against Ole Miss.

Bamba could be a very special player down the road with the right coaching and development. For a team like Cleveland, it’s too early to tell what his role might be during his rookie season. Will LeBron be back? Or will Mo Bamba be the new star in The Land?

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