A week away from the draft, while it looks like the No. 1 pick is set, teams are still gathering information and having players in for workouts.
Big men Marvin Bagley and Mo Bamba recently worked out for the Atlanta Hawks, and Jaren Jackson Jr. had a stellar workout for the Phoenix Suns. Many lottery teams are still gathering information on Michael Porter Jr., whose medical history is integral to this process.
At this point it’s important to be wary of smokescreens, and remember, trades are still possible.
USA TODAY Sports canvassed multiple league executives in shaping its latest mock draft. The actual NBA draft will be held next Thursday in New York.
1. Phoenix Suns - Deandre Ayton
Arizona • Center • Freshman
Height: 7-1 • Weight: 250
The Suns worked out several of the top prospects likely as due diligence, but it’s going to be Arizona center Deandre Ayton. Suns GM Ryan McDonough called Ayton’s workout “phenomenal,” and it would be a shock if they went another route.
2. Sacramento Kings - Michael Porter Jr.
Missouri • Forward • Freshman
Height: 6-11 • Weight: 211
The Kings are known to be enamored with Porter but are still trying to gather the latest medical information. If they’re convinced that he’s fully healthy, he could be the combo-forward they’ve been searching for. A trade down could also be possible if they believe they could get him lower, as the Kings have no first rounders in 2019.
3. Atlanta Hawks - Marvin Bagley III
Duke • Forward • Freshman
Height: 6-11 • Weight: 234
If Bagley learns to rely on his three-pointer a bit more, he’ll be a matchup nightmare for opposing big men. The Hawks would get immediate offensive help with this pick, and Bagley would be afforded time to improve his defense.
Marvin Bagley III reacts during a game against the
Marvin Bagley III reacts during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels. (Photo: Nicole Sweet, USA TODAY Sports)
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Luka Doncic
Real Madrid • Guard
Height: 6-8 • Weight: 220
The Grizzlies are several pieces away from contending for the postseason, but Doncic, the EuroLeague MVP, is the most polished and accomplished prospect among the elites. He immediately gives Memphis another primary ballhandler and someone capable of stretching the floor.
5. Dallas Mavericks - Jaren Jackson Jr.
Michigan State • Forward • Freshman
Height: 6-11 • Weight: 236
Viewed as perhaps the prospect with the most room to grow both physically and offensively, Jackson Jr. is an immediate asset on the defensive end. His length and timing are outstanding, and given his comfort from the perimeter, he could be the prototypical NBA big man in a few years.
6. Orlando Magic - Mo Bamba
Texas • Center • Freshman
Height: 7-1 • Weight: 225
Similar to Jackson, Bamba is already NBA-ready on the defensive end, and there’s a question as to how far he’ll be able to stretch the floor when he’s not demoralizing defenses with his patented alley-oop finishes. Bamba, who will have the longest wingspan in the NBA at 7-10, is the kind of physical freak teams may regret passing on.
7. Chicago Bulls - Wendell Carter Jr
Duke • Forward • Freshman
Height: 6-10 • Weight: 251
Carter Jr. represents a safe, solid pick with low risk. He’s a polished, but not plodding, big man with great footwork and high basketball IQ.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Trae Young
Oklahoma • Guard • Freshman
Height: 6-2 • Weight: 177
Is anyone surprised that Young wasn’t able to maintain his furious scoring pace for an entire season? The Cavs may benefit because other teams tried to poke holes in his obvious talent.
Underrated? Projecting PG Trae Young isn't easy, but are teams overthinking it?
9. New York Knicks - Collin Sexton
Alabama • Guard • Freshman
Height: 6-2 • Weight: 183
Sexton is an aggressive, confident scorer who could thrive as the lead guard. The guard-depleted Cavs are known to be interested in Sexton as well.
10. Philadelphia 76ers - Mikal Bridges
Villanova • Guard • Junior
Height: 6-7 • Weight: 210
Given Bridges’ experience and strengths, he’s likely an immediate contributor at the next level, filling a wing position that nearly every team covets.
Rare find: Mikal Bridges is the rare four-year player destined to be lottery pick
11. Charlotte Hornets - Miles Bridges
Michigan State • Forward • Sophomore
Height: 6-7 • Weight: 220
The Hornets need help all over, and Bridges is a position-less wing who could play small forward and power forward in smaller lineups. He’s a bit of a tweener in terms of ideal fit, but his raw athleticism and stature make him lottery worthy.
12. Los Angeles Clippers - Lonnie Walker
Miami • Guard • Freshman
Height: 6-5 • Weight: 196
The Clippers are in a unique position to draft back-to-back lottery players, affording them a chance to make a riskier move with one of their picks. Walker, a raw, physical guard, offers them a scoring mindset combined with a versatile profile on the defensive end.
13. Los Angeles Clippers - Robert Williams
Texas A&M • Center • Sophomore
Height: 6-10 • Weight: 241
As for that risk, it comes in the form of Williams. Athletic and rim-running, Williams has tantalizing tools at center for the modern NBA. He also doesn’t have much of an offensive arsenal anywhere outside of the paint, and the 47% free throw percentage is scary.
14. Denver Nuggets - Kevin Knox
Kentucky • Forward • Freshman
Height: 6-9 • Weight: 215
Not many forwards can create offense off the bounce like Knox, and it’s impossible to ignore his versatility. He’s needs to add muscle to his frame and any team must be patient with him, but there’s significant upside as he continues to develop.
15. Washington Wizards - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kentucky • Guard • Freshman
Height: 6-6 • Weight: 180
Give him a few years to develop more of an offensive repertoire, and Gilgeous-Alexander is an ideal NBA point guard. His length, passing and defense are all intriguing, but don’t expect him to orchestrate an NBA offense as a rookie.
16. Phoenix Suns - Zhaire Smith
Texas Tech • Guard • Freshman
Height: 6-4 • Weight: 198
Smith is a freak athlete without much more that teams can bank on. He’s stunning in transition and finishes dunks that hardly look feasible. His defensive instincts are there, too, but teams will have to grapple with what else he’s able to create on offense.
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Aaron Holiday
UCLA • Guard • Junior
Height: 6-1 • Weight: 185
Holiday would be less of a risk than the Bucks are typically accustomed to drafting. He’s a poised, crafty ballhandler, and with two brothers already in the league, he’s got an obvious NBA pedigree.
18. San Antonio Spurs - Troy Brown
Oregon • Forward • Freshman
Height: 6-7 • Weight: 208
There’s potentially a lot of value in Brown, who does a lot of things well but nothing great. His defensive instincts are probably his best asset, and with the right coaching and system, he could develop a more enhanced offensive game.
19. Atlanta Hawks - Elie Okobo
Pau-Orthez (France) • Guard
Height: 6-3 • Weight: 180
The lefty guard has good outside touch, a quick first step and a deft midrange game. There usually aren’t many potentially starting-caliber guards left this late in the draft.
20. Minnesota TimberWolves - Dzanan Musa
Cedevita (Croatia) • Forward
Height: 6-9 • Weight: 195
Musa needs to add significant bulk to his frame, not necessarily to compete offensively but because he could be a liability on defense. He’s a rangy shooter and a creative finisher with good vision; offenses won’t stall with him in the rotation.
21. Utah Jazz - Kevin Huerter
Maryland • Forward • Sophomore
Height: 6-7 • Weight: 190
No one helped themselves more at the NBA draft combine than smooth-shooting forward Kevin Huerter, who excelled in the scrimmage portion. There is a belief that Huerter may have secured a promise, which could have swayed his decision to stay in the draft.
22. Chicago Bulls - Chandler Hutchison
Boise State • Guard • Senior
Height: 6-7 • Weight: 197
There’s also a belief that Hutchison, who pulled out of the NBA draft combine, may have a first-round promise from Chicago. If that’s the case, the athletic, four-year wing would fit the bill of prospects the Bulls have drafted in the past.
23. Indiana Pacers - Donte DiVincenzo
Villanova • Guard • Sophomore
Height: 6-5 • Weight: 200
DiVincenzo parlayed his strong Final Four and draft combine showing into a likely first-round pick. He’s a downhill scorer, crafty finisher from multiple angles and someone who makes his teammates better.
24. Portland Trail Blazers - Keita Bates-Diop
Ohio State • Forward • Junior
Height: 6-8 • Weight: 223
Bates-Diop has good mobility, anticipation and athleticism, and his face-up game was an asset in college. As a redshirt player, there are legitimate questions as to how much he’ll improve.
25. Los Angeles Lakers - De’Anthony Melton
Southern California • Guard • Sophomore
Height: 6-3 • Weight: 193
Despite withdrawing from USC earlier this season, Melton remains an intriguing prospect thanks to his defensive intensity and transition ability. At the draft combine he also mentioned how special it would be for him to play for his hometown Lakers.
26. Philadelphia 76ers, Jerome Robinson
Boston College • Guard • Junior
Height: 6-5 • Weight: 188
It’s not hard to see what scouts like about Robinson. He’s a poised, steady guard with good size who can occasionally explode to the rim. He’s a comfortable scorer who could easily command a second unit off the bench.
27. Boston Celtics - Josh Okogie
Georgia Tech • Guard • Sophomore
Height: 6-4 • Weight: 213
Okogie has good size and a great motor, but his offensive instincts can feel a little hectic at times. He should immediately be able to hold his own on the defensive end.
28. Golden State Warriors - Khyri Thomas
Creighton • Guard • Junior
Height: 6-4 • Weight: 200
Steady and with great length, Thomas is a low-risk, heady guard who won’t make unforced mistakes and can immediately stretch the floor with his offense.
29. Brooklyn Nets - Jacob Evans
Cincinnati • Guard • Junior
Height: 6-6 • Weight: 210
With good size and strength for his position, Evans can be an immediate contributor on the defensive end and should have no trouble in a switch-heavy defense. His three-point shooting ability could be a bonus.
30. Atlanta Hawks, Mitchell Robinson
Chalmette High School • Center
Height: 7-0 • Weight: 233
Robinson might be the most enigmatic prospect in the draft, with a range as high as just outside the lottery all the way until the second round. The size and talent are there, but teams could have questions about his drive and commitment after skipping his lone year in college basketball.
