First-round 2018 NBA mock draft

The Suns are in a position to take the best player available, pairing him with young star Devin Booker. There is some debate between Ayton and Slovenian Luka Doncic, but Ayton would seem to be the safer pick. He 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.

The 19-year-old Doncic would be a natural fit for the Grizzlies, who need a playmaker of his caliber. He averaged 15.2 points per game this season in the EuroLeague and should be an immediate contributor from day one.

Mark Cuban's squad successfully tanked this year, and Porter Jr. would be perfect heir apparent to Dirk Nowitzki as a 6-10 forward who can shoot from the outside. Porter was the consensus first overall draft choice coming into the season, but a back injury that required surgery after just a few minutes of Mizzou's first regular-season game deflated his value. That injury and subsequent mediocre play make him somewhat risky.

Bagley could be the most gifted offensive player available and has the talent that would go first overall most years. He averaged 21 points and 11.1 rebounds, showing himself as a true offensive force and impressively winning the ACC Player of the Year. He's a safe option for a Hawks team that could use more frontcourt talent despite drafting John Collins 19th overall last year.

Orlando is in a position to take the best player available, and Jackson is a force defensively. He only scored 10.9 points per game in his freshman season at Michigan State but had three blocks per contest.

Chicago will be looking to complement Lauri Markkanen's talent, and a dominant center like Bamba could be the answer. 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 Kings have some nice, young pieces, particularly in the backcourt with Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox, but Zach Randolph won't be starting when this team becomes good. Carter Jr. averaged 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in 2017-18 on an overwhelmingly talented Duke team.

This pick could go in any direction depending on what happens with LeBron James this offseason. Bridges shot nearly 44 percent from three this season and averaged 17.7 points per game.

Young was the star of college basketball for much of the season, garnering comparisons to Stephen Curry after averaging 27.4 points and attempting more than 10 threes per game. The huge upside is a great fit for a Knicks squad that would like to get better quickly.

Knox is potentially a great complement to what Philadelphia already has on its roster as a versatile 6-9 forward built for the current NBA, attempting 4.5 three-pointers per game in his freshman season for the Wildcats. He averaged 15.6 points per game.

Charlotte has a chance to add a talented wing in Bridges. He averaged 17 points and shot nearly 38 percent from three in his two seasons with the Spartans.

The rebuild is on in L.A., and despite the presence of Austin Rivers, Sexton brings great value and upside in the middle of the first round. He almost singlehandedly won games for the Crimson Tide late in the year and finished the season averaging 19.2 points while shooting nearly 45 percent from the floor.

Williams is more DeAndre Jordan than Blake Griffin, but the Clippers would take a young version of either. He has been a limited contributor offensively in his two seasons for the Aggies, but he averaged 9.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks this year.

Another talented point guard outside the top five, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 14.4 points and 5.1 assists for the Wildcats this season. He's a potential complement to Jamal Murray, another former Wildcat.

The younger brother of Michael Porter Jr., Jontay had an impressive year despite facing older competition in college this season. He averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game and really showed his long-range game late in the year. Depending on how much he can pound in the paint, the fit is there with a great Washington backcourt. 

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. He's still a project but would be a nice fit next to Devin Booker.

Milwaukee is looking for ways to complement Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Thomas has potential there. He blossomed in his three seasons at Creighton, averaging 15.1 points and shooting 41 percent from three this year.

Musa is an interesting European teenager, showing great long-range ability. He shot 36 percent from three for Cedevita this season and has excellent size at 6-9. The Spurs have a history of success with European players.

Atlanta is looking to add scorers alongside Dennis Schroder. Trent Jr. was another one of Duke's gifted freshman this season, averaging 14.5 points and shooting 40 percent from three. Players of his ability don't often drop this far.

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 provides immediate depth behind Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins.

Utah will be looking to complement a roster led by budding star Donovan Mitchell. Duval could be the team's point guard of the future, averaging 5.6 assists at Duke this year.

He might not be a star at the next level, but Brunson is a very smart point guard who should have a long career. The college AP Player of the Year shot better than 40 percent from three this year with 4.6 assists per game, averaging nearly 19 points per game as well.

Brown averaged 11.3 points and 6.2 rebounds in his freshman season, and he has nice size as a wing at 6-7. He should be able to help star Victor Oladipo.

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 adds imposing potential next to Jusuf Nurkic.

Martin helped his draft stock with a good NCAA Tournament run and was the Mountain West Player of the Year after averaging 18.9 points and shooting 40 percent from three. He doesn't need much development time and could be a starter for the Lakers soon if they don't go on an offseason shopping spree.

A sharpshooter at 6-10, Wagner has been an impressive and often unguardable big man for the Wolverines over the last two seasons. Philadelphia has plenty of versatility on its current roster, but Wagner could be a missing piece.

There are questions about Graham's ability to play in the NBA, but there's no questioning his college production in four seasons at Kansas. He was the Big 12 Player of the Year this season, averaging 17.3 points and shooting better than 40 percent from three for the third time in his career. A potential backup to Kyrie Irving immediately, Graham could make Irving's return from injury easier next season.

Just what the Warriors need — another sharpshooter. DiVincenzo shot 40 percent from three this season for Villanova and made quite the contribution in the tournament. He has a chance to be an excellent NBA bench player. 

McCoy had a big freshman year, averaging 16.9 points and 10.3 rebounds for the Rebels. He has potential to develop behind fellow young big man Jarrett Allen.

Atlanta could find some upside late in the first round with Simons, who is skipping college and entering the NBA Draft through a loophole. Somewhat undersized at 6-3, Simons provides plenty of scoring potential.