nba 2018 lottery draft | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

NBA Mock Draft Part 2 (#8 – 16)

The 2nd Tier of the Draft, moving out of the Top 10 and into the middle of the Lottery

65
https://www.facebook.com/Viralgohilnews.fan/photos/p.218800512217241/218800512217241/?type=1&opaqueCursor=AbpMSQRQkYDdZ4erMA-1zHcvtmF1ByUghCpq0-4Xy9MNCHqgmx8C7oQ39e0xcWFLfaVo-RLB70tTelj9bbrNgQys5CVeVrhWQ7p2CEuRajVf_0B40Rl-DKcm7OIhhLNIXy8_9mgnulhC2nN8uD_0kOSqALzcshhrYV_0A04TnxwOZIsnw5insAlMEApTOTbTudhbEspXDGw5IhzBFa01e-7BVHyFXT-HHphNGqb_Ngt2gBe2r4uFyGgSt7cux6KqAw0cGHjp4c91Uy_uixrS7SqVE_ZuQITYSwsjKYyqcDWdvKrqV0V0eLXWicO8Jen2OG1EKzOJBbgoXqLmzBsD0-oCOUKsSiErqR5NmDLBn5I9U4l2a12ocZ3XAlI568QyFUU8GYXfrSMZdx2G-QnY_ZC96ThUy67KUvVmUSZAf8H-maDm8wnVZ9sVGq31XIrnbgHTo8KH8BCCfKroJe9ux--x&theater


This is personally what I would consider to be the toughest area to draft in because their are less "for sure" prospects left and you start looking for potential. Typically the players that are considered to have high potential fall within this midpoint in the draft. These are my projected picks for picks #8 - 16 in the 2018 Draft Lottery

8. Cleveland Cavaliers – Trae Young, Point Guard

To me this is a gamble and this is more of a "hype" based pick than a true fit. Young is a dynamic small guard with range and great court vision, so this combination of skills is hard to pass up considering the Cavs do have a huge hole at Point Guard since George Hill and Jose Calderon are not getting any younger. Let's also not forget that Lebron James may possibly be leaving Cleveland again and they are going to need a big name draft pick to keep the fans interested and relatively optimistic as the team begins to rebuild.

9. New York Knicks – Mikal Bridges, Small Forward

Realistically, the Knicks are questionable at every position with Frank Ntilikina coming into his second year, Kristaps Porzingis still questionable going into next season after his injury, Michael "Too Easy" Beasley being their only true Small Forward and the lack of talent at the Center position. Bridges provides a level of versatility that the Knicks so desperately need and with this, he could easily become the number two option for this team right out the gate.

10. Philadelphia 76ers – Kevin Knox, Small Forward

Two things make this a great pick: 1st. The length and size he provides can fit in perfectly alongside 7'0 Joel Embiid, 6'10 Ben Simmons, and 6'9 Dario Saric. Defensively their team will further improve with their long wingspans and athleticism at every position to play passing lanes and block shots. 2nd. Knox is definitely an upgrade from Robert Covington at the Small Forward spot. Unlike Covington, Knox can play off the dribble and if his shot behind the arc isn't falling, he has a pretty decent mid-range game to fall back on. Knox has the potential become a solid wing player that easily could creep into the starting Small Forward spot in the 76ers' rotation.

11. Charlotte Hornets – Miles Bridges, Small Forward

Easily one of the most athletic, if not the most athletic player in the draft. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a decent role player at best, but to me Bridges' freak athleticism and high flyer talent gives him a higher ceiling. This way, the Hornets can bring a new face at the Small Forward spot and you are destined to see some Kemba Walker to Miles Bridges lobs on the ESPN Top 10 plays.

12. Los Angeles Clippers – Collin Sexton, Point Guard

With his athleticism, competitive streak, and knack for scoring the basketball, it was hard to even place him out of the Top Ten. Unfortunately, his height does provide a bit of risk, but I feel that he could be a viable scoring threat alongside Louis Williams off the bench or starting in place of Patrick Beverley who is known more so to be a defensive stopper at that Point Guard spot.

13. Los Angeles Clippers – Robert Williams, Power Forward/ Center

This is to play off of their previous pick by pairing a big man with their newly acquired Point Guard. Williams is an athletic Power Forward with a wingspan of 7'5 which combined with his NBA skill set, he could soon become a rebounding machine. This could also be a safe pick since DeAndre Jordan is a free agent, which if he chooses to leave, it would severely impact the team defensively in the front court. Williams possibly a DeAndre Jordan replacement in the works?

14. Denver Nuggets – Lonnie Walker, Shooting Guard

This would be a steal. The Nuggets desperately need a true Shooting Guard since the lack the position all together having only Point Guards and Forwards. Walker's athleticism and versatile scoring ability gives the Nuggets another great scorer in the back court to pair with Jamal Murray.

15. Washington Wizards – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Point Guard

More so a fit based pick than a best player available. With Ty Lawson and Roman Sessions being way past their prime and John Wall slowly building an injury history, it would definitely be in the Wizards' best interest to grab a solid Point Guard. Gilgeous-Alexander showed a promising basketball IQ and playmaking ability at Kentucky that could help him contribute heavily as the Sixth Man off the bench.

16. Phoenix Suns – Zhaire Smith, Small Forward

This is what I would consider to be a "hype" pick. Smith performed very well in the most recent NCAA tournament leading Texas Tech to the Elite Eight. His big time play in big time games showed that he is at least worthy of being picked in the mid-teens. Definitely a good addition to the Suns' developing, athletic front court.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

97
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

142
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Perfect Gifts for 'I Have No Idea What I Want For Christmas' 🎁✨

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

117949
Christmas gifts
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2023, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

5 Reasons Why Finals Week Is The Worst For People Who Love Christmas

Christmas is on the brain during the month of December, not finals! How do you expect me to study?

195
santa claus with red background
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Christmas is literally so close. We can almost taste it. But there is just one thing standing between you and the big day: FINALS. It's not the studying, lack of sleep, last minute cram sessions or crappy food intake that is the worst... but the fact that you cannot focus because, well, CHRISTMAS. How do professors expect you to focus when Christmas is soooo soon. For all my fellow Christmas lovers out there, I feel your pain.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments