ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony posted his latest mock on Thursday morning, along with the updated information regarding what teams are planning to do. Here’s some of the most noteworthy nuggets he passed along:
- The Kings will target Duke forward Marvin Bagley III if they keep the No. 2 overall pick but they have their eyes on Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. if they trade down in the lottery.
- Hawks ownership has pushed for Euroleague guard Luka Doncic with the No. 3 pick because of star power. The compromise between the front office and ownership could be trading down and then selecting Oklahoma point guard Trae Young.
- Porter is favored by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban at No. 5 but they’re also considering Texas center Mohamed Bamba and Duke center Wendell Carter Jr.
- Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appears to be on the rise and Givony has him going at No. 6 to the Magic.
- If the Clippers don’t trade their picks at No. 12 and No. 13, they’ll draft one of the top three college point guards – Gilgeous-Alexander, Alabama’s Collin Sexton or Young – if any are still on the board.
- Boston College guard Jerome Robinson, Maryland forward Kevin Huerter and Texas A&M big man Robert Williams are under consideration with the Clippers’ second first-rounder.
These are my predictions:
1. Suns-Ayton
2. Kings-Bagley
3. Hawks-Doncic
4. Grizzlies- Porter Jr
5. Mavericks- Carter Jr
6. Magic-Young
7. Bulls-Bamba
8. Cavaliers- Mikal
9. Knicks- Miles
10. Sixers- Knox
11.Hornets- Gilgeous-Alexander
12. Clippers-Sexton
13.Clippers- Williams
14. Nuggets-Smith
15. Wizards-Walker
Looks very accurate. I’m hoping Mikal Bridges falls to the Knicks personally. I see a few trades in the lottery which will shake things up.
Is Jaren Jackson jr going back to college? He is definitely top 5
Grizz, Mavs or Bulls would take him if available – good fit in Memphis
LOL sorry man forgot all about Jaren Jackson Jr. Remake:
1. Suns- Ayton
2. Kings- Bagley
3. Hawks- Doncic
4. Grizzlies- Porter Jr
5. Mavericks- Bamba
6.Magic- Young
7. Bulls- Wendell
8. Cavaliers- Jackson Jr
9. Knicks- Mikal
10. Sixers- Knox
11. Hornets- Gilgeous-Alexander
12. Clippers- Miles
13. Clippers- Sexton
14. Nuggets- Walker
15. Wizards- Williams
I think Gilbert will sneak in and steal Jackson Jr, they could stash him for a year till he’s ready 2019-2020 and have him develop behind Tristan.
i dont see jaren jackson falling past the bulls
As bulls fan, i rather bulls draft jjj then wendell
Ya Jackson Jr is a pretty impressive talent. Don’t really see how you take Wendell Carter over him.
I doubt Trae Young goes top ten, let alone drafted before any of the big 7 elite prospects in this draft. I wouldn’t be surprised if he fell out of the lottery entirely.
So, because you forgot Jackson, the Mavs changed their pick? That’s funny…
Give up man.
Agreed with Rhino, he should be up there somewhere in the top 10…I’ll be laughing if the Knicks pass on Sexton, Clippers will get an A+ grade if they pull Sexton and Williams in this draft
Jaren jackson junior would be in top 5.maybe 4th.bamba 5th.porter 6th.trae young 7th.wendell 8.mikal 9th.sexton 10th.
I have Sexton going to the Cavs, Trae Young going to the Knicks, and SGA falling to the clippers.
Can’t believe Doncic is going top three. He should be picked in the teens. He’s a fine player but jeepers not worth the top 3 pick.
He’s going to get smoked in the NBA. Why doesn’t everybody see this? Everybody’s going on the hype of a 6-8 ball handling Manu Ginobli.
Everybody is listening to the hype and reading the hype. Can’t they see when watching his game he doesn’t quite have what 12 other draftees have?
Does everyone have their Sacramento Kings GM hat on? Jimmer, Nik Stauskas… can anyone say Rudy Fernandez without a jump shot?
Still on that? Lol you clearly haven’t seen him play. He is at least a secondary playmaker that can shoot, and he isnt awful defensively. He will at least be a good player, if he doesnt end up being great
Dude slow feet = Kyle Korver, JJ Redick defense. Also he can’t shoot. The more he shoots 3s the worse his % gets. He puts up circus shots, a lot of them contested and the brick. Biggest bust of the draft.
You have seen him play?
In eurobasket against good NBA players and a few Euroleague games
So you and I agree he’ll be a good plan. Draft him in the teens and not two or three LOL.
*good player*
I have him at 6 to Orlando
What team will make the stupid pick near the top? Say top 5? And what team would most likely snare that mistake and get a star in say the 6-10 spots? You know it’s going to happen as it does every year.
Anyone sleeping on Michael Porter Jr. will be looking for a new job. That’s my prediction.
Is it just me, but what’s up with half these prospects and speech impediments?
Young cannot fall out of top 10 seriously, at his age is way better than Curry was, just saying…
Can’t wait until Doncic proves all of you guys (euro haters) how good he is, remember he does big numbers against men not children…
MBIII, MPJ & Ayton the most talented players, followed by WCJ & Young, though I understand people might pick high too on Bamba & JJJ as they are centers.
Yes against slow old men.
Children?