For complete pick-by-pick analysis from Thursday night’s NBA draft, scroll down.
As the names started coming off the board at Barclays Center, two of these players were traded for each other and the third, Porter, just waited . . . and waited — until the 14th pick.
The first two picks in the draft went as expected — Deandre Ayton to the Phoenix Suns, and Marvin Bagley III to the Sacramento Kings. Then, the night’s first bit of drama. The Atlanta Hawks took Doncic, yet rumors swirled about a potential deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Moments later, the trade was announced — Doncic went to Dallas for Young, the fifth overall pick, along with a 2019 first-round pick that is protected for the first five selections.
The one person who wasn’t surprised appeared to be Doncic, who said he’d been speaking to Dallas quite a bit in the lead-up to the draft.
“I’ve been talking to Dallas a lot,” Doncic said. “They really wanted me, and they were very, very nice. They were very nice to me, and I think we had a very good relationship.”
The Mavericks will be hoping the relationship with Doncic goes something like the one the franchise has had with Dirk Nowitzki over the past 20 years, as the German power forward has become one of the greatest players in NBA history — and the best European player ever. Doncic, who led Real Madrid to the Spanish and EuroLeague titles and led Slovenia to the European title last summer, might be just the player to live up to that hype.
Atlanta, meanwhile, landed Young and, about 14 picks later, Maryland guard Kevin Huerter with the 19th overall pick. Hawks General Manager Travis Schlenk will hope that his new starting backcourt will, in time, begin to resemble the one he had in Golden State, where he spent several years as an assistant general manager before taking control of the Hawks last summer.
Young, in particular, has been compared to Stephen Curry during his emergence onto the scene over the past year, including a sensational freshman season at Oklahoma.
“Who wouldn’t want to be compared to an MVP a champion and an all-star?” Young said. “But I want to make my own way, my own path.
“I’m about to be a rookie in the NBA. I can’t skip steps.”
Once the furor from the swap of top-five selections died down, though, the focus of the night became Porter, a talented 6-foot-10 forward who many penciled in as the best player in this draft a year ago. A back injury, and subsequent surgery, saw Porter miss almost all of his lone season at Missouri, and tumble much farther down draft boards than anyone would’ve anticipated.
But that fall eventually stopped in Denver, who viewed Porter’s potential as too great to pass up.
“I met them one time,” Porter said. “They were a little surprised I was still on the board, so this is the first time we’ve really talked. They sound great, and I can’t wait to get to know them.”
As Porter saw one player after another go by him, he clearly looked frustrated by his slide down the board. And, when he was finally selected, he admitted as much.
“I’m not going to lie to you, I was stressed out,” he said. “All that stress was overcome by joy the moment I got called, no matter what number it was. It’s been my dream since I was a kid.”
In addition to Doncic, Young and Porter, the other moves that stood out Thursday were the trades that saw the Phoenix Suns move up to get Mikal Bridges 10th overall, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander go to the Los Angeles Clippers with the 11th pick.
It appeared Bridges was a perfect fit in Philadelphia when he was drafted, and his mother even works for the Sixers and New Jersey Devils as a vice president of human resources. But more than a half-hour after he was traded, and while he was doing media wearing a Sixers hat, Philadelphia traded him to Phoenix for Zhaire Smith, the 16th pick, and an unprotected first-round pick from the Miami Heat in 2021.
— Tim Bontemps
Draft order and analysis
1. Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona
Analysis: Ayton has been locked into this spot for weeks. A physical specimen, he should immediately be a productive player for Phoenix and fills a long-term need at center. The difference between him being a very good player and a great one will be how much improvement he makes defensively. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 7-foot-1 Ayton has been groomed as the draft’s top pick since he was a teenager suiting up against North Carolina in an exhibition game in his native Bahamas. Despite Arizona’s failings this past season, Ayton thrived: Lacking any sort of perimeter threat, half-court spacing or offensive flow, Ayton posted an offensive rating of 1.26 points per possession while attempting nearly 30 percent of the Wildcats’ shots. Opponents knew Ayton was the first option each possession, yet were unable to slow the big, who dominated with a diverse skill set that combined classic post-up moves with an agility to pick and pop from both the midrange and beyond the arc — not to mention an inherent ability to rim-run and connect anywhere near the basket. The center was utterly dominant as a freshman, converting nearly 65 percent of his two-point field goal attempts; per Synergy Sports, only two other bigs had a higher points+play and assist rate in the half-court than Ayton (1.28) and both those bigs (Bogdan Bliznyuk and Jock Landale) attempted a higher percentage of their respective teams’ shots. Sure, Ayton has his shortcomings, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but it is inconceivable that Sean Miller’s squad would have won both the Pac-12 regular season and conference titles without Ayton’s presence. — Matthew Giles
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2. Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke
Analysis: Sacramento went with DeAaron Fox last year — a guy who wanted to be there — and has done the same this year with Bagley. Like Ayton, he should be able to walk in and immediately put up big-time numbers. And, like Ayton, his biggest question marks come at the defensive end, which is why one comparison for him has been Amar’e Stoudemire. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The freshman was an offensive savant at Duke during the 2018 season. Attempting just a quarter of the team’s shots, the 6-foot-11 Bagley scored 1.13 points in the half-court, which ranked fifth in Division I (per Synergy Sports). But what was most impressive was the manner in which he got buckets — specifically, the variety of moves and counters he deployed whenever he felt a defense shift to try to contain Bagley’s offensively sui generis skill set. Bagley was a master of exploiting angles and relying on his length and hang time which afforded him just enough space to get off his shot. He has a seemingly endless array of up-and-unders, step-throughs and other finishing moves that he has clearly spent years practicing; as such, he deploys each with such familiarity that the moves are akin to muscle memory. And while he hasn’t so far shown the same dedication to defense, the ease with which Bagley scores undercuts any concerns of defensive limitations. — Matthew Giles
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3. Atlanta Hawks: Luka Doncic, PG, Slovenia — rights traded to Mavericks for No. 5 pick (Trae Young) and 2019 first-round pick
Analysis: While Atlanta is making this pick, Doncic will actually wind up going to Dallas, as the Mavericks hope Doncic will become the successor to Dirk Nowitzki as a European star in the Lone Star State. Doncic gives the Mavericks another shot creator to go with Dennis Smith Jr. — and this could potentially open the door for Dallas to chase DeMarcus Cousins in free agency, as well. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-6 guard spent this past season redefining expectations for all future international lottery picks. Doncic posted a stat line per 36 minutes of 20.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 steals, while also showcasing a true shooting percentage of 59 percent: mind-boggling percentages for his Real Madrid squad, especially considering Doncic competed as a 18-year-old. He doesn’t have the athleticism of some of the draft’s other lottery picks, but that doesn’t matter: He can dissect an opposing defense like few can, charting how he plans to score long before the defensive opening appears evident to others while then absorbing contact and finishing with a soft touch. And in the open court, Doncic is a maestro, knifing his body and potential assists through the tightest of spaces. Perhaps his slide down the draft chart in past weeks is due to a subconscious bias against international players, or perhaps NBA GMs and execs can’t fathom how a teenager could engineer an offense and wholly disrupt a game as effectively as Doncic can. — Matthew Giles
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4. Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Michigan State
Analysis: After initially balking at going to Memphis, Jackson has reportedly grown more comfortable with the idea. Now that he’s there, we’ll see if that remains the case. Still, he has an intriguing skill set, and could be an ideal long-term replacement for Marc Gasol at center — with the potential to play alongside him now. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: Much like Doncic, JJJ’s potential is intertwined with his youth — the 6-foot-11 Jackson doesn’t turn 19 until September. Entering the season, it was unclear how Jackson — a 5 on paper — would mesh with Nick Ward, who largely lives on the post, but the frosh showcased a skill set that perfectly fits the modern NBA: Jackson stretched the floor with his agility, handle, and perimeter touch (43 percent in Big Ten play) and could also finish around the basket (per Synergy Sports, Jackson scored 1.24 points per post up or offensive putback). The Spartans weren’t wholly dependent on Jackson to carry its offense, so while the percentage of shots he attempted is relatively low, the big was uber-efficient whenever he had the ball in a position to score, dropping 1.04 points in the half-court, which led all Big Ten freshmen (and was 12th overall in the conference). As befitting a Tom Izzo-coached player, Jackson was far from one-dimensional, shoring up MSU’s frontcourt while allowing the squad to defend aggressively in the half-court: Jackson blocked 14 percent of opponents’ attempts while still grabbing roughly 20 percent of the defensive boards. — Matthew Giles
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5. Dallas Mavericks: Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma — rights traded to Hawks for No. 3 pick (Luka Doncic)
Analysis: Young has arguably been the most divisive draft prospect this year because of his style of play and slight stature. That status isn’t going to change after Atlanta traded down — and traded away Luka Doncic — to take Young fifth overall. That said, the Hawks have been tied to having interest in him for some time, and General Manager Travis Schlenk knows all about explosive three-point shooting guards after spending more than a decade with the Golden State Warriors before taking over Atlanta last summer. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: Yes, there is a gulf between Young’s efficiency rates during nonconference and Big 12 play. And yes, that disparity doesn’t matter. With all due respect to Young’s teammates at Oklahoma, the 6-foot-2 guard was the Sooners’ offense in 2018. Coach Lon Krueger allowed Young the freedom few high-major college players ever enjoy, and Young’s skill set — which includes limitless range (per Will Schreefer of the Stepien, Young made 36 percent of three-point field goals from beyond the NBA arc) and an uncanny ability to bounce his slight frame off defenders to score at the rim (51 percent, per Hoop-math.com) — was perfectly suited to anchor a Sooner offense: per KenPom, only two other DI players (Mike Daum and Chris Clemons) were more crucial to their respective teams’ offenses as Young (1.12 PPP). And even though Young attempted more than one-third of the team’s shots, Oklahoma was .02 per possession higher when Young was on the floor, which directly correlates to his absurd court vision — an assist rate of 49 percent, which led DI. The net result of those plays and assists meant that Young initiated a possession, Oklahoma scored 1.27 PPA, which ranked slightly behind Jon Elmore of Marshall in college basketball last season. — Matthew Giles
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6. Orlando Magic: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
Analysis: Bamba has been tied to Dallas for some time now, but the Mavericks trading up for Doncic allows Orlando’s front office — which has a history of prioritizing length — to draft Bamba, one of the longest players in the draft. It might be tough to hit, but his ceiling is a potential defensive player of the year-type talent with three-point shooting ability. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: Injuries and inconsistency marred much of Bamba’s lone season at Texas, and the 7-foot-1 big was never able to showcase his entire skill set, but the glimpses he did unveil were promising — a rim-running, shot-blocking big with the potential to pick-and-pop from deep and suddenly transform into a stretch-five with a 7-foot-10 wingspan. Also known as, a true mismatch nightmare. The knock on Bamba has always been his lanky frame, but his timing and length quieted those concerns (block rate of 13.2 percent while committing only three fouls per 40 minutes). While his offense seemed to stagnate on occasion, Texas was operating without a true point guard or any semblance of perimeter shooting, which forced Bamba to compete against defenses primed to crowd the interior — though the big still posted an offensive efficiency rating of 1.15 PPP. He reportedly spent the entire pre-draft workout period refining his perimeter touch, but his free throw stroke — Bamba converted 70 percent of his attempts from the stripe — indicates he has the potential to connect from beyond the three-point line. — Matthew Giles
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7. Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter Jr., PF, Duke
Analysis: After getting Lauri Markkanen with the seventh pick in last year’s NBA draft, Chicago now gets a big man to complement Markkanen with the same selection this year. While Carter was overshadowed by Bagley at Duke, he might have a chance to be a better NBA player — and his skills fit quite nicely with Markkanen, too. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-10 freshman was one of the most skilled players to operate on the low post in 2018. Problem was, he didn’t often get a touch where he was most effective, accounting for only 20 percent of the Blue Devils’ attempts (second-lowest rate of Duke’s starters), but those lack of scoring chances didn’t hamper Carter’s overall game. The big did his best to fortify the squad’s often porous zone defense, grabbing nearly a quarter of opponents’ misses and showcasing a block rate of 7.6 percent. When he did get a look on the other side of the ball, though, he more than ably capitalized, scoring 1.06 points per play and his half-court effective field goal percentage (57 percent) ranked second on the team (to Marvin Bagley III). Carter is skilled at using his body to establish an advantage on the post and then outmaneuvering taller and wider opposing bigs, and he would have been even more effective during his lone season in Durham if he had been able to get added reps. — Matthew Giles
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8. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets): Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
Analysis: The Cavaliers have a lot of questions ahead this summer — obviously beginning with the status of LeBron James. But this roster needs a point guard no matter what, and Cleveland went in Sexton’s direction with the eighth pick. A fiery competitor, Sexton was personally scouted by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert this season in a game between Alabama and Oklahoma in Tuscaloosa. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The Alabama guard is absolute energy as soon as he steps on the court, explosive in transition and then able to easily gain an edge on a defender once he crosses into the half-court and finishes at the rim. There is no metric to measure desire, but that’s often been described as Sexton’s best attribute: In a game that will almost be memorialized with its own “30 for 30” documentary, Sexton and two other Crimson Tide players nearly upset a full Minnesota team (the other Alabama players had fouled out). According to Hoop-math.com, nearly 30 percent of his attempts were around the bucket, and he converted 58 percent of those shots, utilizing his natural strength and athleticism to muscle through contact — the 6-foot-3 Sexton drew more than seven fouls per 40 minutes, which was the most of any freshmen in Division I last season. True, he may not have a jump shot — he shot just 34 percent from deep, and made .88 points per jumper (which, per Synergy Sport, ranked in the 44th percentile) — but his free throw percentage (78 percent) indicates his poor shooting as a freshman shouldn’t be a concern. Where Sexon made arguably the biggest impact, though, was on the defensive side of the ball, using that same athleticism to swipe more than one steal per 40 minutes. — Matthew Giles
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9. New York Knicks: Kevin Knox, SF, Kentucky
Analysis: Knicks fans here were going crazy for Michael Porter, Jr. but the choice instead was Knox. One of the youngest players in the draft, Knox has intriguing upside and played out of position on an oddly-constructed Kentucky team. The Knicks are in the middle of what portends to be a lengthy rebuild, and Knox is a pick for the future. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The most beguiling player in all of Division I last season. At times, Knox looked like a potential top pick, dropping 34 points against West Virginia and 20 on Kansas. At other times, Knox seemed to completely fade into the background of the Wildcats’ blue chip recruits. The 6-foot-9 wing’s shooting percentages belie his actual worth on the court; specifically, while Knox only made 51 percent of his twos and 34 percent of his threes, Knox scored .93 points per half-court possession (per Synergy Sports), which ranked fourth among all freshmen (ranked behind Ayton, Bagley and Young) in Division I. His game is smooth until the moment he finds an opening on the court, and then he quickly rises, showcasing a near picturesque form as he buries jumper after jumper: Per Will Schreefer of the Stepien, Knox converted 42 percent of all his midrange jumpers (and 36 percent of his threes from NBA range). — Matthew Giles
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10. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers): Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova — rights traded to Suns for No. 16 pick (Zhaire Smith) and Miami’s 2021 first-round pick
Analysis: Bridges’s mother is a human resources vice president for the 76ers, and the Villanova forward is one of the most NBA-ready players in this draft. He’s got a chance to play an immediate role on one of the East’s best teams — which is exactly what Philadelphia needs. Perfect marriage of fit and need. (Update: And then he was traded. Womp.) — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The lanky 6-foot-7 wing’s role continually evolved at Villanova. After a redshirt freshman season, he was a spot scorer off the bench who impressed with his displays of athleticism and absurd length. As a sophomore, he shined as a prototypical 3-and-D player — just at the Big East level — but it wasn’t until this past season in which the junior fully evolved into one of the nation’s most dominant and utterly intriguing players. His multifaceted game is anchored by a consistent perimeter touch (44 percent from deep) and a confidence that he can create his own shot in the half-court (per Hoop-math.com, just a third of his half-court shots were assisted), but Bridges spent this past season demonstrating he is more than just a scorer — his teammates scored 1.15 points per roll, which ranked in the 83 percentile in Division I. Of course, sharing the court with Jalen Brunson meant Bridges didn’t often have to distribute, but that improvement suggests the wing possesses a high ceiling: According to Hooplens.com, Villanova scored .04 PPP better with Bridges in the lineup. — Matthew Giles
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11. Charlotte Hornets: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Kentucky — rights traded to Clippers for No. 12 pick (Miles Bridges) and two future second-round picks
Analysis: The Hornets had a chance to get their point guard of the future in taking Gilgeous-Alexander — but instead chose to get two second-round picks to move back one spot. That allowed the Clippers to get the long Canadian floor general, giving them their potential long-term replacement for Chris Paul. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-6 guard quickly mastered the pick and roll in his lone season at Kentucky. He handed out more than six assists per 40 minutes, and many of those dimes were the result of Gilgeous-Alexander sliding off a pick, probing the lane before methodically finding the open teammate for either a dribble-drive or an alley-oop. Those Wildcats scored .95 points per SGA P&R assist, which ranked 12th in Division I (and tops of all freshmen). And the guard isn’t a slouch when he chooses to attack the rim off that pick, scoring 1.13 points per P&R ballhandler (and a whopping 1.29 points at the bucket following a P&R). His jump shot is clearly a work in progress (he attempted just 57 three-point field goals), and while he was able to school college defenders, that’ll change at the next level. But his ability to facilitate an offense, lulling an opposing defense to a false sense of defensive security while setting that same squad up for a backbreaking P&R alley-oop, is second to none. — Matthew Giles
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12. Los Angeles Clippers (via Pistons): Miles Bridges, SF, Michigan State — rights traded to Hornets for No. 11 pick (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and two future second-round picks
Analysis: After trading back one spot, Charlotte grabbed Miles Bridges, a combo forward from Michigan State. Bridges was projected to be a top-five pick a year ago, but slipped a little bit this season. He is still a guy that can fill many different roles, and can give the Hornets some immediate production alongside Kemba Walker if they are able to keep the all-star guard long-term. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: Bridges looks the epitome of a classic three. Standing 6-foot-7, Bridges shot a career (through two seasons) 37.5 percent from deep at Michigan State, showcasing a game that feels made for the current NBA. But Coach Tom Izzo’s system didn’t allow Bridges the freedom to work in isolation or in pick and roll possessions, which were arguably two of the most efficient aspects of his offensive oeuvre: Per Synergy Sports, Bridges scored .88 points per P&R and iso, but the combo only accounted for 20 percent of his output in 2018. So while Bridges always looked the part, his output presented a muddled picture. — Matthew Giles
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13. Los Angeles Clippers: Jerome Robinson, SG, Boston College
Analysis: Robinson has flown up draft boards in recent months, and selecting him gives the Clippers a pair of long, athletic guards to rebuild their backcourt. Robinson had an incredibly productive season at Boston College and has impressed teams in the workout process. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-5 guard enjoyed a breakthrough season as a junior. Not only was he one of the top scoring threats in the ACC, few could match his offensive output across Division I. His offensive rating — 1.21 PPP — was anchored by an absurd 61 percent from two and 45 percent from three. That level of efficiency was startling at the high-major level. — Matthew Giles
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14. Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr., SF, Missouri
Analysis: After a long wait, Porter finally got off the board with the No. 14 pick to the Denver Nuggets. It’s an interesting fit for Porter, who goes to a team that should be good enough to allow him all the time he needs to get his body right. And, if he does, he could be one of the very best players in this class. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-10 forward played just 53 minutes for Missouri this season, so the only way to project his potential is to focus on his pre-Mizzou reputation, which was that of a big with guard-like handles and an ease converting from deep as well as at the rim. In short, few players at the high school level could score as effortlessly and efficiently as Porter, and without the back injury that sidelined the frosh’s season, Porter could have been the nation’s top prospect. Instead, it’s been more than a year since a fully-healthy Porter has taken the court, and it’ll be another several months before Porter can hopefully resume showcasing the half-court offensive brilliance that made him such a dominant player. — Matthew Giles
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15. Washington Wizards
: Troy Brown, SF, Oregon
Analysis: One of the youngest players in this class, Brown gives the Wizards another long wing player who can defend multiple positions. That’s a formula Washington employed with success three years ago in drafting Kelly Oubre Jr., and the team will hope it happens that way again here with Brown. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-7 forward was one of the youngest players in Division I last season, and while he was one of the nation’s most highly-decorated freshmen, his skill set lagged behind the accolades. What he did well, though, was a bit of everything. His assist rate — 19 percent — ranked second on the squad, and he converted more than four two-point field goals per 40 minutes, showcasing an ability to ably score in the half-court (59.5 percent at the rim). Brown’s jumper is still evolving — he made just 16 threes in Pac-12 play — but the freshman most often shined on the defensive side of the ball, swiping more than two steals per 40 minutes, which he accomplished while committing a scant two fouls per 40 minutes. Brown has the speed and length to disrupt opposing ballhandlers, and possesses a high level of anticipation, which helped transform Brown one of the best on-ball defenders in DI. — Matthew Giles
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16. Phoenix Suns (via Heat): Zhaire Smith, SF, Texas Tech — rights traded to 76ers for No. 10 pick (Mikal Bridges)
Analysis: The Sixers recently brought Smith in for a workout, and clearly liked what they saw — moving down from the 10th slot, a previously seemingly perfect fit for Mikal Bridges — to take him. The key there, though, was likely the unprotected first rounder from the Miami Heat in 2021 that Phoenix threw in to make the deal happen. Unprotected picks never get moved these days. Still, Smith is also a young, explosive athlete. Intriguing move for Philadelphia. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-5 Smith was a grab-bag of sorts at Texas Tech. Utilizing his agility and absurd athleticism, Smith grabbed more than three rebounds per 40 minutes, and he relied on those same physical traits to swipe nearly two steals per 40 (his block rate per 40 was similar). And in the open court, there wasn’t a defender that could slow Smith, who scored 1.34 points per transition possession (when the Red Raiders did actually get out in the open court). Coach Chris Beard didn’t need Smith to shoulder the team’s scoring load, which is why the knocks on the guard have some merit: most of his attempts were around the rim, and while he did convert 45 percent of his threes, he only took 40 shots from deep. Smith has the skill set to transition to a 3-and-D player, but at the moment, Smith’s best attributes — his calling card — are his energetic athleticism and versatility. — Matthew Giles
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17. Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo, SG, Villanova
Analysis: After two massive performances — in the national title game and at the combine — Donte DiVincenzo became a mid-first-round pick, and goes to Milwaukee. DiVincenzo will give Milwaukee shooting, something it desperately needs, and can play either guard spot for new Coach Mike Budenholzer. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The Michael Jordan of Delaware would have started on any other Division I squad during his two seasons at Villanova, and yet, he often came off the bench, a scoring burst for Coach Jay Wright. DiVincenzo was instant energy, connecting on more than 40 percent of his threes and posting an offensive efficiency rate of nearly 1.20 PPP — which is absurd considering the guard attempted only 22 percent of the Wildcats’ shots. Where he excelled, though, was converting late in the shot clock: per Synergy Sports, DiVincenzo dropped 1.06 points per possession with less than four seconds remaining, which ranked just outside DI’s top 20 in 2018 (and led the squad). DiVincenzo can not only get buckets, but he can do so in the most high pressure of possessions. — Matthew Giles
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18. San Antonio Spurs: Lonnie Walker IV, SG, Miami
Analysis: Walker was projected to be a lottery pick, until some late issues with his medical reports dropped him down the board. Still, he lands in quite the situation going to San Antonio with the 18th pick, a team that needs some athleticism on the wing in the worst way. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-5 guard enrolled at Miami with the reputation of an explosive playmaker who was more than capable of creating for himself. Those projections never really materialized for Walker, who was injured much of the summer before his freshman season. But, there were flashes for Jim Larranaga’s high-profile recruit: During a four-game winning streak in late February, Walker posted an effective field goal percentage of 58 percent (and 46 percent from deep). He didn’t often seek out scoring opportunities in isolation, but when he did go one-on-one, he was ultraefficient, scoring 1.03 points per iso, but it often felt that the shortened summer and a Bruce Brown season-ending injury slowed Walker, and hamstrung any consistency. — Matthew Giles
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19. Atlanta Hawks (via Timberwolves): Kevin Huerter, SG, Maryland
Analysis: Huerter shot up draft boards after a very impressive showing at the combine in Chicago. Along with Trae Young, drafting him allows the Hawks to completely remake their backcourt in one draft — giving General Manager Travis Schlenk a backcourt that he will hope can attempt to replicate what he did with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in Golden State. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The lanky 6-foot-7 Huerter was one of the nation’s top perimeter threats. The sophomore only attempted roughly 20 percent of Maryland’s shots, but he connected on 41 percent of his threes — according to Will Schreefer of the Stepien, 49 of those makes (or 40 percent) were from NBA range. Huerter shines spotting up around the perimeter, using a subtle change of speed to shake free of defender and using that brief separation — he only needs a moment — to bury a jumper. Huerter didn’t often create for himself as a Terp, and that may be the biggest knock on his game. He heavily relies on those same teammates to set him up, and while he is nearly automatic when he receives the pass, he was more of a complementary piece than a featured player in his two seasons in the Big Ten. That said, it’s difficult to discount his shooting percentages: Per Synergy Sports, Huerter scored 1.09 points per spot up or off screen possession. — Matthew Giles
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20. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder): Josh Okogie, SG, Georgia Tech
Analysis: Okogie is an athletic wing defender — just the kind of player Tom Thibodeau loves. So it’s no surprise Minnesota took Okogie with the 20th overall selection. We’ll see if Okogie is able to get a lot of playing time for Thibodeau, who is notoriously stingy with playing time for rookies. But Okogie is the type of guy Minnesota really needed last season. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: A prototypical 3-and-D player. He made more than 36 percent of his threes in both ACC and overall last season at Georgia Tech, and he has the requisite athleticism to wrap up opposing ballhandlers in one-on-one scenarios, grabbing nearly two steals per 40 minutes. Okogie didn’t earn the national recognition he likely deserved, and much of that was due to the Tech’s roller-coaster records the past two seasons, but he was clearly one of the conference’s most electric players. — Matthew Giles
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21. Utah Jazz: Grayson Allen, SG, Duke
Analysis: Grayson Allen went 21st to the Utah Jazz, after shooting up boards with a really impressive showing at the draft combine. For a team in need of scoring and shooting on the perimeter, Allen should be able to step right in and play for Coach Quin Snyder as a rookie. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The most divisive player in Division I. The 6-foot-5 guard transformed himself in a versatile player, equally capable of running Duke’s offense as he is shifting off the ball and creating for himself. His best attribute is his shooting — per Will Schreefer of the Stepien, Allen connected on 35 percent of threes from NBA range this past season, and few can get as hot (and spark a run) as quickly as the Blue Devils senior guard. — Matthew Giles
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22. Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans): Chandler Hutchison, SG, Boise State
Analysis: The Bulls got their man. Having shut down Chandler Hutchison before the workouts even started, he was there on the board at No. 22 and went to Chicago. He gives the Bulls some additional depth on the wings, and ends a saga where no one could quite figure out where Hutchison was going to land throughout the process — with Chicago always being a possibility. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-7 Hutchison is versatile on both sides of the ball. On offense, Hutchison was Boise State’s lead guard, handing out more than four assists per 40 minutes as he facilitated Boise State’s scoring, using his length to probe the defensive interior before either converting at the rim (71 percent, and nearly 30 percent of his half-court scoring was around the bucket) or finding a Bronco waiting on the perimeter (per Hoop-math.com, 69 percent of his assists resulted in a made three). On the defensive side of the ball, Hutchison grabbed more than a quarter of opponents’ misses, and he more than held his own on an island, swiping two steals per 40 minutes. He isn’t a 3-and-D prospect yet — Hutchison converted just 35 percent of his threes during his four-year career, and those shooting percentages more or less remained stagnant as a Bronco, but he showcased a skill set that is continuing to evolve. — Matthew Giles
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23. Indiana Pacers: Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA
Analysis: The Pacers need a long-term answer at point guard, and Holiday should give them one. He should be a nice fit alongside Victor Oladipo, as either one can handle the ball and create plays. Holiday is now the third brother to make the NBA, joining Justin (Bulls) and Jrue (Pelicans) in the league. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The junior guard was the most underrated player across the Division I landscape. For the third straight season, the 6-foot-1 Holiday averaged 20 points, five assists and connected on more than 40 percent of his attempts from deep, an absurd level of consistency — especially when one considers that Holiday was arguably the Bruins’ best offensive option this past season and was the top assignment on any opponent’s defensive game plan. Though his rep as a scorer is more than deserved, the guard could also facilitate: Per Synergy Sports, Holiday’s points+plays and assists rate in the half-court (1.28 PPA) ranked just behind more celebrated guards such as Devonte’ Graham and Jalen Brunson. But the Bruin isn’t a one-dimensional threat, swiping 1.5 assists per 40 and establishing himself as an athletic and aggressive on-ball defender. — Matthew Giles
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24. Portland Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, SG, IMG Academy (Florida)
Analysis: Simons decided to bypass college and go straight into the draft, and it paid off with him going to the Blazers with the 24th pick. Simons is a project, but could develop into a big-time talent down the road. There is a real question about his fit with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum’s timeline, however. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The draft’s other enigma (along with Mitchell Robinson). A lanky guard who is more athlete than player at the moment, Simons spent a year at IMG, and declared for the draft as he is a year removed from his high school’s graduating class. The 6-foot-3 guard is known for his athleticism and an evolving perimeter game, but it is likely his game is limited to the G League for the foreseeable future. Simons has talent, but his rawness is concerning. — Matthew Giles
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25. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavaliers): Moritz Wagner, PF, Michigan
Analysis: The Lakers have a big summer ahead of them, and it began with them drafting Michigan star Mo Wagner with the 25th pick. A skilled, scoring big man, Wagner should be able to be a productive offensive player. His ceiling, like so many bigs in this draft, will be determined by his defense. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: A stretch-five with a skill set tailor-made for the modern NBA. He connected on 42 percent of his threes in Big Ten play, and he spent this past season refining his half-court game, working on his scoring off the bounce and evolving as more than just a spot-up shooter. But in pick-and-pop possessions, Wagner is a special prospect, scoring 1.27 points per spot up, which ranks in Synergy Sports’ 95th percentile. — Matthew Giles
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26. Philadelphia 76ers: Landry Shamet, PG, Wichita State
Analysis: Shamet is a bit of a surprise going in the late first round, but he was expected to be taken in the early second round anyway, and he is a veteran guard with length that should be able to contribute early on for Philadelphia. Like the original pick the Sixers made (Mikal Bridges, before he was traded away), this makes sense for a team trying to compete right now. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard doesn’t have the explosive athleticism of the other guards selected in the first round, but he acutely exploits angles and mismatches in the half-court. Shamet’s plays+points and assists ranked in the 99th percentile in Division I (1.45 PPA) and Shamet’s arguably greatest skill is utilizing pick and rolls to shift defenses and create openings for himself and his teammates: Per Synergy Sports, Shamet scored .96 points per P&R. The guard is also unconscious from the perimeter, connecting on 44 percent of his threes during his WSU career. — Matthew Giles
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27. Boston Celtics: Robert Williams III, C, Texas A&M
Analysis: Williams is a big-time talent, but his roller coaster ride of a workout process over the past couple months saw him fall to the back end of the first round, where the Celtics pounced on him. There are a lot of questions. But if it works out, this could be a true difference-making big man. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: Big Bob Williams possesses physical traits that every team covets. Standing 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Williams is relentless on the glass, grabbing nearly four offensive rebounds 40 minutes (and more than 10 defensive rebounds per 40). Williams’s length and anticipation allowed him to chase down any of Texas A&M’s caroms in his two seasons at the Big 12 school. Williams is offensively limited, though he did score 1.02 points per play, the squad’s second best rate, which was largely based on his capacity to rim run (1.45 points per cut and transition) and finish those second chance possessions (1.25 points per putback). But, as the NBA evolves, the half-court spacing that wasn’t afforded to Williams in College Station (he often shared the paint with Tyler Davis) will free the highly-talented big to showcase a skill set with further depth. — Matthew Giles
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28. Golden State Warriors: Jacob Evans, SG, Cincinnati
Analysis: The Warriors have said they want this player to be someone who can step right in and play for the two-time defending champions. Evans can do exactly that. A long-armed wing player who can hit threes, he should be a rotation player next season for Coach Steve Kerr. The rich get richer. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: Cincinnati’s defensive cooler, the 6-foot-6 guard posted the squad’s second best block rate (3.7 percent) and steal rate (2.6 percent). And he can space the half-court with his perimeter shooting, making 37 percent of his attempts from deep. Evans is a versatile 3-and-D prospect who was the Bearcats’ most dependable option on either side of the ball in 2018. — Matthew Giles
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29. Brooklyn Nets: Dzanan Musa, SF, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Analysis: With the penultimate selection of the first round, the Nets went with an international pick, taking this international wing. It’s unclear if Musa will come over this year, but he is a guy that could develop into an impressive scorer on the wing for Brooklyn. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: A 6-foot-9 big who has long had a rep as a catch-and-shoot prospect. He can stretch the floor with his perimeter touch, and his offense has continually evolved, developing a scoring touch off the bounce as defenders learned to recently sit on Musa’s feints. — Matthew Giles
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30. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets): Omari Spellman, PF, Villanova
Analysis: With the final pick of the first round — and the third pick of the round for the Hawks — Spellman became the third Villanova player to come off the board. A forward with intriguing skills — particularly as a big-man shooter — but with room to grow makes him an interesting fit in Atlanta, which clearly put an emphasis on shooting with its picks. — Tim Bontemps
What he brings: The 6-foot-8 big enrolled at Villanova as a chunky four, but spent the majority of his redshirt year toning his body, emerging this past season as an agile big who can pick and pop (43 percent from deep) as equally as he can score off the bounce (.89 points per roll). He lacks the explosiveness of other bigs in the first round, but he has a nimbleness to his game that belies his power and his ability to space the floor largely factored in the Wildcats’ national title run. — Matthew Giles
Second round
31. Phoenix Suns: Elie Okobo, PG, France
32. Memphis Grizzlies: Jevon Carter, PG, West Virginia
33. Dallas Mavericks: Jalen Brunson, PG, Villanova
34. Atlanta Hawks: Devonte’ Graham, PG, Kansas — rights traded to the Hornets
35. Orlando Magic: Melvin Frazier, SG, Tulane
36. New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson, C, Chalmette (Louisiana)
37. Sacramento Kings: Gary Trent Jr., SG, Duke — rights traded to the Blazers
38. Philadelphia 76ers (via Nets): Khyri Thomas, SG, Creighton — rights traded to the Pistons
39. Philadelphia 76ers (via Knicks): Isaac Bonga, SF, Germany — rights traded to the Lakers
40. Brooklyn Nets (via Lakers): Rodions Kurucs, F, Latvia
41. Orlando Magic (via Hornets): Jarred Vanderbilt, SF, Kentucky — rights traded to Nuggets
42. Detroit Pistons: Bruce Brown Jr., SG, Miami
43. Denver Nuggets (via Clippers): Justin Jackson, SF, Maryland — rights traded to Magic
44. Washington Wizards: Issuf Sanon, PG, Ukraine
45. Brooklyn Nets (via Bucks): Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky — rights traded to the Hornets
46. Houston Rockets (via Heat): De’Anthony Melton, SG, USC
47. Los Angeles Lakers (via Nuggets): Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, SG, Kansas
48. Minnesota Timberwolves: Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State
49. San Antonio Spurs: Chimezie Metu, PF, USC
50. Indiana Pacers: Alize Johnson, PF, Missouri State
51. New Orleans Pelicans: Tony Carr, PG, Penn State
52. Utah Jazz: Vincent Edwards, SF, Purdue
53. Oklahoma City Thunder: Devon Hall, SG, Virginia
54. Dallas Mavericks (via Trail Blazers): Shake Milton, SG, SMU — rights traded to the 76ers
55. Charlotte Hornets (via Cavaliers): Arnoldas Kulboka, SF, Lithuania
56. Philadelphia 76ers: Ray Spalding, PF, Louisville — rights traded to the Mavericks
57. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Celtics): Kevin Hervey, SF, UT Arlington
58. Denver Nuggets (via Warriors): Thomas Welsh, C, UCLA
59. Phoenix Suns (via Raptors): George King, SF, Colorado
60. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets): Kostas Antetokounmpo, SF, Dayton — rights traded to the Mavericks