Two-round NBA mock draft

Ayton to Phoenix seems like a foregone conclusion at this point. The Suns have had plenty of time to scout the big man at Arizona, and Ayton won Pac-12 Player of the Year after averaging 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds while shooting over 61 percent from the field in his lone college season.

Bagley could be the most talented No. 2 pick since Kevin Durant. He averaged 21 points and 11.1 rebounds, showing himself as a true offensive force and impressively winning the ACC Player of the Year. 

When you're building a defense, Jackson is the type of player you can build around in the paint. He's limited offensively but potentially dominant defensively. Jackson only scored 10.9 points per game in his freshman season at Michigan State but had three blocks per contest.

Teams seem to opt for the big man early in the draft when all else is equal, but Doncic could have the most scoring ability for the modern NBA as anyone in this draft. The 19-year-old Doncic averaged 15.2 points per game this season in the EuroLeague and can shoot from the outside. He'd be a potential steal for a rebuilding Grizzlies squad.

Bamba has No. 1 pick upside and would be quite a bargain at five for the rebuilding Mavs. The athletic center shot 54 percent from the field while averaging a staggering 10.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in Shaka Smart's system. 

The naysayers regarding Porter's durability got some more ammunition this week when he suffered a hip injury, but favorable tests have him out of the woods. Orlando could have the least talent in the NBA, but Porter could be a unicorn at the No. 6 pick. He was projected to be the top pick coming into the season, but an injury limited him to three games in his freshman season at Mizzou. 

The Bulls desperately need a scorer in their rebuild, and Young can answer the bell. Young garners comparisons to Stephen Curry after averaging 27.4 points and attempting more than 10 threes per game. Upside this great at No. 7 is rare.

Cleveland's future is still up in the air based on what LeBron James decides to do this offseason. Carter Jr. could be a steal at No. 8 in any case. He averaged 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in 2017-18 on an overwhelmingly talented Duke team. He could rule the paint in Cleveland for a long while.

Helium alert. The versatile 6-9 Knox is built for the current NBA, attempting 4.5 three-pointers per game in his freshman season for the Wildcats. Knox is flying up draft boards and would create another mismatch next to Kristaps Porzingis in New York.

Philadelphia doesn't have to go too far to find its man. Bridges shot nearly 44 percent from three this past season and averaged 17.7 points per game, showing plenty of versatility offensively with the length and quickness to D up several different positions.

Sexton has quite the upside for a pick outside the top 10. He finished the season averaging 19.2 points while shooting nearly 45 percent from the floor for the Crimson Tide, and his surge late in the year could be a great sign for the team that drafts him.

Walker became much more consistent for Miami as his freshman season rolled along, putting up double-digit points in 14 of his last 17 games. The Clippers are now in rebuild mode and would be able to give Walker playing time immediately.

Another talented point guard outside the top five, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 14.4 points and 5.1 assists for the Wildcats this past season. He could start immediately at point guard for the Clips.

An offensive-minded wing, Bridges could fit on almost any team. The talented forward averaged 17 points and shot nearly 38 percent from three in his two seasons with the Spartans.

Limited offensively in his two seasons for the Aggies, Williams did average 9.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks this past year. He's a project but has serious upside for a Wizards team that could use help in the paint.

Smith is a first-round prospect after a solid freshman season for the Red Raiders, averaging 11.3 points and shooting nearly 56 percent from the field. He'd be an excellent complement to Devin Booker and (potentially) Deandre Ayton.

Brown averaged 11.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in his freshman season, and he has nice size as a wing at 6-7. The Bucks would be adding more upside to accompany the Greek Freak.

Tony Parker is approaching the end of his career, so the Spurs will be on the lookout for his replacement. Holiday has the potential as a point guard who can create (and make) his own shot. He shot at least 41 percent from three in all three seasons for the Bruins.

A versatile player at 6-7, Huerter shot nearly 42 percent from three for the Terrapins in his sophomore season. He had surgery for a hand injury last week, but it's unlikely to impact his draft status with a two-month recovery timetable.

Robinson averaged 20.7 points and shot 41 percent from three in his junior season. He could be a nice contributor off the bench for a young, exciting Timberwolves team immediately.

The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, Bates-Diop averaged 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds last season. He started to develop his outside shot and is now looking like an excellent NBA prospect for a Jazz team looking to add pieces around Donovan Mitchell.

Musa is an interesting European teenager who has shown great long-range ability. He shot 36 percent from three for Cedevita this season and has excellent size at 6-9. For a rebuilding team looking for a high-upside talent like the Bulls, Musa fits well.

Hutchison is an experienced college player with decent upside after developing his outside shot over the last two seasons. Despite his status outside the lottery, Hutchison could contribute immediately for a Pacers team that surprised last season.

Portland is set at guard, but every team could always use more shooters. DiVincenzo averaged 13.4 points for the season, shooting 40 percent from three, and has seen his stock rise since a great NCAA Tournament and impressive combine.

A 6-2 guard from France, Okobo is gaining some momentum after averaging 12.8 points per game in France last season. He has upside for a team that needs it like the Lakers, though L.A. could trade the pick for more immediate help.

Allen shot 38 percent from three for his career at Duke and attempted 7.5 threes per game in his senior season. He has a future as a deep threat off the bench and could be an excellent role player as "The Process" continues to develop.

Whether Thomas will be a starter at the highest level remains to be seen, but he could at least be a complementary player for a talented Celtics roster. Thomas blossomed in his three seasons at Creighton, averaging 15.1 points and shooting 41 percent from three this past year.

Robinson didn't play college basketball this year after dropping out of his commitment to Western Kentucky. At seven feet tall, he still has the upside of a lottery pick and the athleticism needed to contribute to the Warriors.

Brooklyn is still developing, which should give a project like Melton the time he needs to adjust to the NBA. Melton averaged 8.3 points in his only season at USC but brings big upside.

Frazier could potentially sneak into the first round after averaging 15.9 points for Tulane last season. The Hawks have needs just about everywhere.

Phoenix remains in a position to take the best player available in the second round. Evans looks like a safe bet in the NBA because he can defend. He also shot well from three in college at nearly 38 percent for his career.

Okogie was a star for the Yellow Jackets in two seasons, averaging 16.9 points and attempting 4.2 threes per game in his sophomore campaign. He's gained some momentum following the combine and could sneak into the first round.

He might not be a star at the next level, but Brunson is a very smart point guard who should have a long career. Dallas could potentially find a starting point guard early in the second round.

Wagner's skill set makes him a poor man's Kristaps Porzingis, standing at 6-10 with the ability to shoot from the outside (39 percent over the last two seasons). Advanced in his development, he should be able to help a bad team like the Hawks immediately.

A high-upside player who effectively skipped college, Simons will be a crapshoot. He's an excellent gamble early in the second round for a rebuilding team.

A great defensive player who averaged three steals per game last season, Carter's offense has also developed over the last two years. He averaged more than 17 points per game last season, shooting 39 percent from three. Carter's defense will make him a viable backup point guard right off the bat.

Brown missed much of last season due to injury but averaged 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds when he was on the floor. The athletic 6-5 guard lacks an outside shot but brings a unique skill set for his position.

Diallo was inconsistent during his freshman season for the Wildcats, losing minutes during the second half of the season. He needs to develop his offense after shooting just 43 percent from the field last season, but the Sixers could afford to give him time.

Vanderbilt appeared in only 14 games for Kentucky this past season, but the 6-9 forward averaged 7.9 rebounds in only 17 minutes per game. His injury issues are a major concern, but the upside he holds could make him a steal.

Trent Jr. has a basketball pedigree and produced well in his freshman season at Duke, averaging 14.5 points and shooting 40 percent from three. He's a potential steal if he falls into the second round as a very capable scorer.

Kurucs withdrew from last year's draft, but the Latvian projects as a second rounder this year. The 20-year-old stands at 6-9 and has big upside for this late in the draft.

Alkins looked like a first-round pick at times last season and shot better than 36 percent from three for his career. He's a high-upside player for a Pistons organization desperately in need of talent.

A smooth point guard at Wichita State, Shamet averaged 14.9 points and shot 44 percent from three last season. He could go as early as the late first round and is a very solid value if he falls this far to Denver.

Spellman was a load in the paint in his one season at Nova, averaging 10.9 points and eight rebounds. He's an attractive power forward in the second round, especially after developing an outside shot, making more than 43 percent of his three-point attempts.

Milton stands at 6-5 and shot the lights out at SMU, shooting better than 42 percent from beyond the arc in all three of his seasons. His shot will be welcome anywhere.

Metu has been a strong scorer for the Trojans over the last two seasons and averaged 15.7 points this past season. The 6-11 big man is efficient offensively but isn't a threat outside the paint like the rest of the Rockets.

Newman performed well both at Mississippi State and Kansas, and his three-point shot makes him very attractive. The 6-3 guard shot better than 41 percent from three for the Jayhawks.

The 18-year-old Sanon can shoot from behind the arc and shows potential as a draft-and-stash. He played last season in Slovenia.

Williams helped the Horned Frogs emerge last season after averaging 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds. An impressive rebounder at 6-7, he also shot better than 37 percent from three for his career.

Hervey has been all things offense for Arlington over the last three seasons, peaking with 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in 2017-18. The 6-7 forward shot 34 percent from three this past season and will need to continue developing his long-range game.

The 6-2 Graham was the Big 12 Player of the Year after averaging 17.3 points and 7.2 assists. He has limited upside but could carve out a reserve role in his rookie season.

Duval could regret declaring for the NBA if he falls this far, but he has plenty of potential after averaging 10.3 points and 5.6 assists in his freshman season at Duke. His lack of a long-range shot is a concern.

Carr left the Nittany Lions after averaging 19.6 points and five assists per game in 2017-18. He would seem to be a safe NBA performer after shooting 43 percent from three in his sophomore campaign.

Jackson failed to step up his offensive game in his second season at Maryland, averaging only 9.8 points per game, but his rebounds and assists climbed significantly. Teams hope his offensive slide last year was just a one-year slump.

Mykhailiuk really came along in his career at Kansas, finishing his senior season averaging 14.6 points and shooting better than 44 percent from three. He has very good size for a guard at 6-8 and has a chance to be a dangerous shooter in the NBA.

Kulboka averaged 8.3 points in Italy last season and turned 20 in January. The 6-9 forward would be a project the Sixers could stash and is a non-risk this late in the draft.

A key scorer for the Bears in his two seasons, Johnson averaged 15 points and 11.6 rebounds as he dominated the Missouri Valley Conference this past season. At 6-9, it remains to be seen how he stacks up against NBA big men.

The younger brother of Giannis, Kostas similarly stands at 6-10 but saw very limited playing time in his only season at Dayton. He struggles offensively and is a major project, but he could potentially be a fit for the Nuggets down the road.

The 18-year-old Bonga stands at 6-8 but has played some point guard. The developing Suns could stash him.

It was a lost season at Louisville but not for Spalding, who averaged 12.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in his first year as a starter. He was efficient but has a limited offensive game overall.