C Deandre Ayton, Arizona freshman Ayton is the obvious pick. He's big and strong and has the tools to become a dominant offensive big man. He has the athleticism to become a better defender than he showed in college. He will fit well next to Devin Booker. But he probably doesn't have the most upside, and he's not the safest bet, either. And he presents the question of whether you want to build around a big man in today's NBA. Grade: B+
PF Marvin Bagley III, Duke freshman Bagley is an explosive athlete with an incredible motor. He was a hyper-productive college player, too. He's got the same potential of 2014 No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins with more size and hustle. But the question is whether he can be a winning player, given his flaws on defense and unclear positional fit on that end. Grade: B-
TRADE: Dallas Mavericks made this pick after sending the No. 5 pick and a 2019 protected first-rounder to the Hawks SG Luka Doncic, Slovenia With a reported trade, the Mavericks get their man here. The decision to pony up a future first-rounder was big just to move up two spots, but Doncic has the combination of NBA readiness and upside to be a star. Grade: A-
PF Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State freshman Jackson has huge upside, particularly on the defensive end. He also was not particularly productive in college, often disappearing because of foul trouble and not taking an engaged role in Michigan State's offense. He could be the futuristic big man that NBA teams are looking for, and he can fit next to Marc Gasol or replace him long term. But will he be a star or an unrealized prospect? Grade: B-
TRADE: Atlanta Hawks made this pick after sending the No. 3 pick to the Mavericks for No. 5 and a 2019 protected first-rounder PG Trae Young, Oklahoma freshman This Hawks grade is for a player with a huge upside -- arguably the best shooter and passer in this class -- but also for a second pick with huge upside. Young gives Atlanta a potential star, but so does a pick that is protected only Nos. 1-5 in next year's draft. That could be a top-10 pick easily and helps Atlanta's rebuild under former Warriors executive Travis Schlenk. Grade: A
C Mohamed Bamba, Texas freshman Bamba's record-setting 7-foot-10 wingspan equals his obvious defensive potential. But it's on the offensive end where he could make an impact that few are discussing. The brilliant, mature New York City native has perhaps the highest ceiling in this draft, and he showed it by retooling his shot in the three months after the season ended. Grade: A+
C Wendell Carter Jr., Duke freshman Carter is as solid and easy to fit into an NBA lineup as anyone still available at this point. His upside is low, compared to some home-run options, but he should be a stable NBA center for a long time. He's very smart and fits well with Lauri Markkanen. Grade: B
PG Collin Sexton, Alabama freshman Sexton is the middle ground for the Cavaliers. He could play with LeBron James, should the King return. He could be the playmaker for a post-LeBron future, too. Michael Porter Jr. would have been the higher upside pick, but this one shouldn't offend anyone. Grade: B+
SF Kevin Knox, Kentucky freshman Knox is a fine prospect, but the big move was right there begging for the Knicks to take it. Michael Porter Jr. has so much more upside, and while Knox looks like a solid starter, this move definitely did not win over Knicks fans. Still, Knox can shoot and score and could play next to Kristaps Porzingis. Grade: C+
TRADE: Phoenix Suns received this pick after it was made, sending No. 16 and a 2021 first-rounder via the Heat to the 76ers SF Mikal Bridges, Villanova junior Bridges to the 76ers was perfect. So of course it got traded. The Suns traded away Zhaire Smith -- a high-upside wing who could grow with the team -- and a 2021 first-rounder (via the Heat) for one of the older players in the class. Bridges could help their defense, though. Grade: C-
TRADE: Los Angeles Clippers made this pick after trading No. 12 and two second-rounders to Hornets for No. 11 PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky freshman The trade changes the take on this pick: The Clippers gave the Hornets two second-rounders to move up one spot, giving the Hornets No. 12. The Clippers need a point guard, but Gilgeous-Alexander isn't the highest-upside player available considering Michael Porter Jr. remains available. Grade: B-
TRADE: Charlotte Hornets made this pick after trading No. 11 to Clippers for No. 12 and two second-rounders SF Miles Bridges, Michigan State sophomore With a reported trade, the Mavericks get their man here. The decision to pony up a future first-rounder was big just to move up two spots, but Doncic has the combination of NBA readiness and upside to be a star. Grade: B-
SG Jerome Robinson, Boston College sophomore This might be the first true surprise pick. Robinson has talent and could be a good scorer to pair with Gilgeous-Alexander. But he's definitely lower upside than multiple players still available, and his less-than-elite athleticism brings up a defensive question mark. Also: How is Michael Porter Jr. still available?! Grade: D+
SF Michael Porter Jr., Missouri freshman The health questions were real. A back injury is serious. But Porter had the talent to be a top-three pick, and the value here -- to a team that needs help at forward -- is too good to pass up. The worry? The Nuggets are offensively stacked already. How will they defend? Grade: A
SG Troy Brown Jr., Oregon freshman The fit is weird. Can Brown, who can play both guard spots, ever join John Wall on the court? He's not a good shooter yet, and he'll be a longer-term project than some other players available, such as Khyri Thomas. But he's also not as high-upside as Lonnie Walker IV. He's a good player at the right value, but how will it work? Grade: C+
TRADE: Philadelphia 76ers made this pick, sending No. 10 to the Suns for No. 16 and a 2021 first-rounder via the Heat SF Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech freshman The Sixers had a perfect pick at No. 10 with Mikal Bridges, an NBA-ready 3-and-D player. Then they traded down to get one of the most raw players. Will Smith be a contributor any time soon, the way Bridges could have been? He's got the potential to be an excellent player because of his absurd athleticism. But the Sixers should be thinking about next year, not 2021 (which is when they get the Suns' pick). Grade: C+
SG Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova redshirt sophomore "The Michael Jordan of Delaware" is ready to step in and be a shooter. And next to playmaking forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, he could play point guard or shooting guard. He'll join Malcolm Brogdon in that role and has more offensive upside. He's a playmaker with confidence who also can take a lot of roles. Grade: A-
SG Lonnie Walker IV, Miami freshman Walker -- whose hair is amazing -- isn't ready to be a contributor, but the Spurs are a patient -- and very smart -- organization. There may have been health concerns, but he has as much upside as anyone available. He's a playmaking off-guard who could be good in a lot of roles because he can handle and shoot well. Grade: B+
SG Kevin Huerter, Maryland sophomore The Hawks may have exited this draft class with the two best shooters: Huerter and Trae Young. That alone merits a good grade. Will Huerter ever be more than a solid role player? Probably not. But he could add a lot to a team that has needed help on the wings for years. Grade: B+
SG Josh Okogie, Georgia Tech sophomore Okogie was kind of hidden on a mediocre college team, but he wowed at the NBA Draft Combine. He has all the tools to be a standout role player or even more, and he probably is among the best upside picks left. We're now wondering when Robert Williams will get picked, though. Grade: B+
SG Grayson Allen, Duke senior Offense for a team that needs offense. Allen is a great athlete with a varied skill set. He's a known commodity. He's not an upside pick, but he might have some left even after four years at Duke. He could play with Donovan Mitchell -- potentially a lot, if Mitchell slides to point guard long term. Grade: B+
SF Chandler Hutchison, Boise State senior This is a very Bulls pick. Hutchison isn't a high-upside player, but the Bulls like the guys who can translate quickly. He joins Wendell Carter Jr. on a team that is going with the polished products. Grade: B
PG Aaron Holiday, UCLA junior He's a scorer who can play on or off the ball. He's a point guard who doesn't make many mistakes. He's lightning fast. He's got two brothers who are solid NBA players. And the Pacers could use a point guard of the future. There's no losing with this pick. Grade: A-
SG Anfernee Simons, IMG Academy Athletic offensive player who has a whole lot of unknowns. How does this fit with the Blazers? Their immediate needs definitely aren't for an offensive-minded guard. But this isn't an immediate-needs pick. Simons has upside, at least. Grade: C
C Moe Wagner, Michigan junior Wagner has a lot of strengths. He's a good offensive player who plays hard and can shoot as a stretch-center. He's a creative scorer. But can he overcome his defensive disadvantages? Robert Williams has the defensive side covered, and he was the better pick here. He's becoming a real steal now. Grade: C+
PG Landry Shamet, Wichita State junior They need a shooter because almost everyone on their roster who can shoot is a free agent. They get one of the draft's best. Shamet is a classic on-or-off-ball point guard with size. He could be a backup plan if Markelle Fultz doesn't ever find his fit, too. Grade: B
C Robert Williams, Texas A&M sophomore The Celtics get the defensive-minded, elite-rebounding big man they needed. He's a great athlete who can defend in a lot of styles. Could he be the American Clint Capela? The "steal of the draft" label could be his. Grade: A+
SG Jacob Evans, Cincinnati The Warriors are getting a 3-and-D guy with a massive physique. He'll end up outperforming this spot by osmosis. Evans has been an overachiever at every level. Grade: B+
SF Dzanan Musa, Bosnia The Nets get a European shooter with some upside as a scorer. He's rail-thin but could develop because he's one of the younger players in this class. Grade: B
14: Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr., PF, Missouri
6 feet 10 inches, 210 pounds
He played just 53 minutes of his freshman season as a result of back surgery, and a hip issue in the leadup to the draft added more concern about his body. That he is still considered a top prospect is a testament to how well regarded Porter was coming out of high school. When healthy he is a great leaper, can move almost like a giant guard and can reliably score both inside and out. The optimist would point out that Kyrie Irving only played 303 minutes of his freshman year of college and blossomed into a star. The pessimist would say that a foot problem for a guard is not the equivalent of a back problem for a big and that Porter’s brief return in the postseason is hardly proof that his troubles are behind him.
How he fits: If his health is O.K., the Nuggets just got the best pick in the draft. If it isn’t, they wasted an opportunity to add another major piece to go with their three-man core of Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray. Assuming he can keep himself on the court, Porter is a perfect complement to those players.
Sacramento Wanted Porter at No. 2 but Backed Off
Marc Stein: Rival teams had been whispering — as recently as Monday — that the Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. was under consideration by Sacramento with the No. 2 overall pick. But the back issues that limited Porter to three games in college have dropped him all the way to No. 14 and the Denver Nuggets. At the very least, Porter still manages to go in the lottery — but only with the final pick among lottery teams.
Early Winners: Dallas and Atlanta
Marc Stein: On a night like draft night, when all teams can dare to dream, both Dallas and Atlanta feel like they’ve already won tonight’s big trade. The Mavericks acquired the draft rights to the prized Slovenian teen-age Luka Doncic without having to take back any unwanted salary from the Hawks. Atlanta, meanwhile, acquires the draft rights to general manager Travis Schlenk’s top target — Oklahoma sharpshooter Trae Young — and picks up a 2019 first-round pick in the process from the Mavericks that will convey to the Hawks next June as long as the pick falls outside of the top five.
15. Washington Wizards: Troy Brown, SF, Oregon
6 feet 7 inches, 215 pounds
A member of the heralded 2016 FIBA U-17 World Championship team, Brown is a do-everything wing who has the potential to be a two-way standout. His numbers don’t leap off the page, but his success in any role Oregon put him in makes him a versatile option in the mold of Andre Iguodala. He would benefit from landing on a team that is willing to use his versatility to its advantage.
How he fits: Could he be the glue guy that fixes what has been missing in Washington? He doesn’t have to be a go-to scorer with John Wall and Bradley Beal in town, so the Wizards may be a team that lets Brown do all of the other little things he excels at, which is probably ideal at least in the early portion of his career.
16. Phoenix Suns: Zhaire Smith, SF, Texas Tech
6 feet 4 inches, 199 pounds
If Smith were a bit taller, or had a tad more offensive polish, he’d be far higher on most draft boards, but the elite athlete and top-notch defender has enough question marks about where he fits on the court to scare some teams off. He is a quick, active and smart defender who can step right into the league. His long arms let him play larger than his 6-foot-4 frame, but he was rarely asked to do much offensively in college, and there is no proof that he can step up to that challenge if given the opportunity.
THE Phoenix Suns used their first No.1 overall pick in franchise history to select towering Bahamian teenager Deandre Ayton in the 2018 NBA Draft on Friday (AEST).
The 19-year-old Ayton was expected to go first to the Suns who like the seven-foot (2.1-meter) center’s size and skill which he used to dominate in US college basketball last season with the Arizona Wildcats.
“It means the world to me, you know my family and coaches know the hard work I put into this game to really try and be successful and achieve all my goals,” Ayton said.
Crying draft kids Deja vu 0:50
See every pick below!
Ayton will now team up with Suns star Devin Booker in Phoenix.
“That’s Shaq (Ayton) and Kobe (Booker) 2.0... we can really make something happen,” Ayton told reporters.
“I could see a little Shaq and Kobe 2.0” — Deandre Ayton pic.twitter.com/aW1jncOoOa — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 21, 2018
The Suns are hoping Ayton can help turn around a team that finished with just 21 wins last season; the worst record in the NBA.
The Sacramento Kings used the second pick to take power forward Marvin Bagley, who played with Ayton for one season at a high school in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Fashions of the NBA draft 1:56
Trades were flying in throughout the day; the most notable of which saw Slovenia’s Luka Doncic selected third by the Atlanta Hawks, who then turned around and traded the European star’s rights to the Dallas Mavericks for fifth pick Trae Young and a future first round draft pick.
In other trade news; Mikal Bridges, the No. 10 pick from Villanova who thought he was staying in Philadelphia with the 76ers — who employ his mother — was dealt to Phoenix for the rights to No. 16 pick Zhaire Smith of Texas Tech and a 2021 first-round pick from the Miami Heat.
While the Charlotte Hornets sent the rights to No. 11 pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander —whose floral-patterned suit stood out among the selections — to the Clippers for No. 12 pick Miles Bridges and two future second-round picks.
It was a big night for the big men in this NBA throwback draft at Barclays Center arena in New York.
Besides Ayton and Bagley, other big men to go early included Wendell Carter (Chicago Bulls), Jaren Jackson (Memphis Grizzlies) and Mohamed Bamba (Orlando Magic). All five are six-foot-10 or bigger.
Jackson went fourth overall, Bamba was sixth and Carter one back in seventh.
This is the first time since 2007 that a half dozen players six-foot-10 or taller were chosen in the top 10.
There were no Australians selected.
BROTHERLY LOVE
The Holiday brothers had an NBA reunion when Aaron Holiday was taken at No. 23 by Indiana. Brothers Jrue and Justin already play in the league.
While Kostas Antetokounmpo of Dayton, brother of Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, was the 60th and final pick by Philadelphia (rights traded to Dallas Mavericks).
That marked the first time three international siblings were drafted into the NBA, as Thanasis Antetokounmpo was the No. 51 pick in 2014.
Phoenix No.1 draft pick 0:41
***
EVERY PICK
ROUND ONE
1. Phoenix Suns - Deandre Ayton — C
2. Sacramento Kings - Marvin Bagley III — PF
3. Atlanta Hawks - Luka Doncic (traded to Dallas Mavericks) — PG
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Jaren Jackson Jr. — PF
5. Dallas Mavericks - Trae Young (traded to Atlanta Hawks) — PG
6. Orlando Magic - Mo Bamba — C
7. Chicago Bulls - Wendell Carter Jr. — C
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Collin Sexton — PG
9. New York Knicks - Kevin Knox — SF
10. Philadelphia 76ers - Mikal Bridges (traded to Phoenix Suns) — SF
11. Charlotte Hornets - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (traded to LA Clippers) — PG
12. LA Clippers - Miles Bridges (traded to Charlotte Hornets) — SF
13. LA Clippers - Jerome Robinson — SG
14. Denver Nuggets - Michael Porter Jr. — SF
15. Washington Wizards - Troy Brown Jr. — SF
16. Phoenix Suns - Zhaire Smith (traded to Philadelphia 76ers) — SF
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Donte DiVincenzo — SG
18. San Antonio Spurs - Lonnie Walker — SG
19. Atlanta Hawks - Kevin Huerter — SG
20. Minnesota Timberwolves - Josh Okogie — SG
21. Utah Jazz - Grayson Allen — SG
22. Chicago Bulls - Chandler Hutchinson — SG
23. Indiana Pacers - Aaron Holiday — G
24. Portland Trail Blazers - Anfernee Simons — SG
25. Los Angeles Lakers - Moritz Wagner — PF
26. Philadelphia 76ers - Landry Shamet — PG
27. Boston Celtics - Robert Williams — PF/C
28. Golden State Warriors - Jacob Evans — SG/SF
29. Brooklyn Nets - Dzanan Musa — SF
30. Atlanta Hawks - Omari Spellman — PF
ROUND TWO
31. Phoenix Suns - Elie Okobo - PG
32. Memphis Grizzlies - Jevon Carter - PG
33. Dallas Mavericks - Jalen Brunson - PG
34. Atlanta Hawks - Devonte Graham - PG (traded to Charlotte Hornets)
35. Orlando Magic - Melvin Frazier - SF
36. New York Knicks - Mitchell Robinson - C
37. Sacramento Kings - Gary Trent Jr. - SF (traded to Portland Trail Blazers)
38. Philadelphia 76ers - Khyri Thomas - SG (traded to Detroit Pistons)
39. Philadelphia 76ers - Isaac Bonga - SF
40. Brooklyn Nets - Rodions Kurucs - SF
41. Orlando Magic - Jarred Vanderbilt - PF (traded to Denver Nuggets)
42. Detroit Pistons - Bruce Brown - SG
43. Denver Nuggets - Justin Jackson - SF (traded to Orlando Magic)
44. Washington Wizards - Issuf Sanon - PG
45. Brooklyn Nets - Hamidou Diallo - SG
46. Houston Rockets - De’Anthony Melton - SG
47. Los Angeles Lakers - Sviat Mykhailiuk - SG
48. Minnesota Timberwolves - Keita Bates-Diop - SF
49. San Antonio Spurs - Chimezie Metu - C
50. Indiana Pacers - Alize Johnson - PF
51. New Orleans Pelicans - Tony Carr - PG
52. Vincent Edwards - SF (traded to Houston Rockets)
53. Oklahoma City Thunder - Devon Hall - PG
54. Dallas Mavericks - Shake Milton - PG (traded to Philadelphia 76ers)
55. Charlotte Hornets - Arnoldas Kulboka - SF
56. Philadelphia 76ers - Ray Spalding - PF (traded to Dallas Mavericks)
57. Oklahoma City Thunder - Kevin Hervey - SF
58. Denver Nuggets - Thomas Welsh - C
59. Phoenix Suns - George King - SF
60. Philadelphia 76ers - Kostas Antetokounmpo - SF (traded to Dallas Mavericks)
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