The 2018 NBA Draft was filled with lots of controversial picks and absolute steals. After much thought, I have compiled a list of the biggest winners and losers of draft night.
Winners:
Dallas Mavericks:
The Dallas Mavericks traded their 5th pick plus a future first round pick for the Atlanta Hawks 3rd overall pick. Dallas then selected Slovenian guard Luka Doncic.
Doncic fits a big hole for Dallas at the shooting guard position and will be able to easily transition to the NBA given his experience playing overseas in Spain. Doncic is the best and safest prospect in the draft and the Mavericks made a very smart choice in trading up to get him.
If the Mavs are also able to sign a big man such as DeMarcus Cousins, DeAndre Jordan, or Julius Randle in free agency, their roster will have drastically improved from last year.
Denver Nuggets:
The Denver Nuggets selected forward Michael Porter Jr. with the 14th pick in the NBA Draft.
In a few years, we could look back on this pick as the steal of the draft. Porter slid drastically because of a back injury which kept him sidelined for almost all of his sole collegiate season. But at 100% health, Porter is possibly the most talented player in his class.
Porter is a risky option, but with big risks come big rewards and Denver made the right choice.
Boston celtics:
With the 27th pick in the NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics selected forward Robert Williams.
Williams is a high level talent and athlete who only slipped to Boston because of off the court concerns. This issue is problematic for lots of teams, but it shouldn’t be a problem for the Celtics given their incredible culture and staff.
Losers:
Sacramento Kings:
The Kings selected forward Marvin Bagley III with the 2nd pick in the draft.
Bagley is a great player and offensive talent, but I don’t think he should’ve been chosen over other players like Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., or Mo Bamba. Bagley doesn’t really fit with the modern NBA and will likely struggle to defend the paint at the next level.
Washington Wizards:
The Wizards chose forward Troy Brown Jr. with the 15th pick in the NBA Draft.
Washington is in a similar situation as Sacramento here. Brown is a good prospect but he was chosen over better players with more potential. Some options I thought the Wizards should’ve considered were Lonnie Walker or Robert Williams.
You’re a unapologetic MFFL. I like it. Stand by your team young man. That’s the only compliments i can give you bro so the Mavs won the draft because the drafted a unproven Euro. You may need to pee in a cup my young friend. The centers from Texas or Arizona would have been better picks in a Carlile coached defense. The “Euro” has not played against NBA size or speed yet. It’s liked buying a lottery ticket and praying that it’s the winning number. Any of the Duke boys would have been better picks.
Thanks for the support! Trading up for Doncic was definitely a risk but I think he has a lot of potential. I’m looking forward to seeing how this situation plays out in the future!