With Marvin Bagley making his college decision to join the 2017 class, ESPN has released a 2018 NBA Mock Draft by Jonathan Giovany.
Despite Bagley’s immense potential, Missouri freshman Michael Porter was still the top pick in this projection. Bagley went No. 2, followed by Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton at No. 3.
Surprisingly, this turned out to be a projection with very few Kentucky Wildcats among the 60 picks. There were, however, a pair of Cats to hear their names called in Round 1, the highest of which being Hamidou Diallo:
18. Utah Jazz: Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky, SG
Diallo is an athletic shooting guard with a massive, 6-foot-11 wingspan who is highly explosive in the open court. He also brings significant potential defensively, though he's a very poor shooter and just a rudimentary ball-handler in the half court.
Diallo probably would have heard his name called in Round 1 of this year’s draft had he opted to remain in it, but he pulled out and returned to Lexington in hopes of becoming a lottery pick next year.
The only other Cat in this projection is incoming freshman center Nick Richards:
22. Milwaukee Bucks Nick Richards, Kentucky, C
A 7-footer with a tremendous frame and a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Richards is quick off his feet and fluid in the open floor. He shows flashes with his footwork and touch in the post and has timing as a shot-blocker. His motor runs hot and cold, though, and he isn't very polished on either end of the floor.
Richards has a world of untapped potential, so it’s no surprise seeing him mentioned as a first-round pick in mock drafts early on. He’ll probably get drafted in Round 1 off of sheer athleticism and the frame of what an NBA center should look like. With some work, he could easily become a lottery pick in 2018.
Not making this projection were Kevin Knox, Jarred Vanderbilt, Wenyen Gabriel and P.J. Washington. I feel good about at least two of those guys being first-round picks in 2018, though it’s likely Knox and Vanderbilt, who have far too much talent to think they wouldn’t hear their names called in Round 1.
Here’s how the entire first round played out in this projection by Jonathan Givony:
1. Chicago Bulls: Michael Porter
2. Boston Celtics (via Nets): Marvin Bagley
3. Atlanta Hawks: DeAndre Ayton
4. Phoenix Suns: Luka Doncic
5. Sacramento Kings: Robert Williams
6. Orlando Magic: Miles Bridges
7. New York Knicks: Mohamed Bamba
8. Indiana Pacers: Collin Sexton
9. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers): Jaren Jackson
10. Dallas Mavericks: Wendell Carter
11. Memphis Grizzlies: Trevon Duval
12. Detroit Pistons: Bruce Brown
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Lonnie Walker
14. Portland Trail Blazers: Mitchell Robinson
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Justin Jackson
16. Charlotte Hornets: Dzanan Musa
17. Phoenix Suns (via Heat): Troy Brown
18. Utah Jazz: Hamidou Diallo
19. LA Clippers: Mikal Bridges
20. Denver Nuggets: Chimezie Metu
21. Brooklyn Nets (via Raptors): Rodions Kurucs
22. Milwaukee Bucks Nick Richards
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Timberwolves): Shake Milton
24. Washington Wizards: Grayson Allen
25. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder): Isaac Bonga
26. Cleveland Cavaliers: De'Anthony Melton
27. San Antonio Spurs: Austin Wiley
28. Boston Celtics: Tyus Battle
29. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets): Brandon McCoy
30. Golden State Warriors: Andrew Jones