The Suns and Hawks are at the top of my list.
The 2018 NBA Draft is in the books. Each team had the same thing in mind–pick the right guys. So how well did teams do? Here are my top picks.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
45. Hamidou Diallo │ SG│ Kentucky (trade with Hornets)
53. Devon Hall │ PG │ Virginia
57. Kevin Herley │ SF │ UT-Arlington
ASSESSMENT: The Thunder did a good job getting the best available players in the late second round (where they did their picking). These players fit the ‘3 and D” style and can come off the bench–something the Thunder really needs.
4. Dallas Mavericks
3. Luka Doncic │ PG │ Slovenia (trade with Hawks)
33. Jalen Brunson │ PG │ Villanova
56. Ray Spalding │ PF │ Louisville
60. Kostas Antetokounmpo │ SF │ Dayton
ASSESSMENT: Dallas needed a big, but Doncic was too good to pass on. They can still get that big in free agency but, for now, drafting Doncic was a good move. He’ll likely attract free agents, too.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
25. Moritz Wagner │ PF │ Michigan
39. Isaac Bonga │ PG │ Germany
47. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk │ SG │ Kansas
ASSESSMENT: The Lakers ranked 25th in defense last season. Getting shooters like Wagner and Mykhailiuk won’t help them improve that stat, but it adds to the speculation that ‘they’re up to something,’ perhaps landing a top free agent. Right, Magic?
2. Atlanta Hawks
5. Trae Young │ PG │ Oklahoma
19. Kevin Huerter │ SG │ Maryland
30. Omari Spellman │ C │ Villanova
ASSESSMENT: The Hawks are on a rebuild and that includes the possibility of trading starting point guard Dennis Schroder. The 2018 draft picks all shooters who’ll space the floor. This is a team headed in the right direction.
1. Phoenix Suns
ASSESSMENT: Getting Ayton at #1 was the right choice. His presence will give Phoenix a promising combo in Ayton and Booker. Bringing in Bridges via trade was a huge plus. I think the Suns are back!
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Updated data as of June 27, 2018. Sources: CBS Sports
