The NBA draft order was set Tuesday night, and the Phoenix Suns prevailed with the draft’s top overall pick coming up on June 21st. The Suns had a 25% chance at winning the top pick, the best of all lottery teams, and saw their luck prevail. The will likely be picking between Arizona Center DeAndre Ayton, and Slovenian guard Luka Doncic. Both players would fit nicely on the Suns talent depleted roster.
Here is my top 10 mock draft immediately following the lottery:
2018 NBA Draft
1. Suns: Luka Doncic – Slovenia | Guard
2. Kings: DeAndre Ayton – Arizona | Center
3. Hawks – Jaren Jackson – Michigan State | Forward/Center
4. Grizzlies – Marvin Bagley – Duke | Forward
5. Mavericks – Mo Bamba – Texas | Center
6. Magic – Trae Young – Oklahoma | Point Guard
7. Bulls – Michael Porter – Missouri | Forward
8. Cavaliers – Mikal Bridges – Villanova | Forward
9. Knicks – Collin Sexton – Alabama | Guard
10. Sixers – Miles Bridges – Michigan State | Forward
The Jazz will have a slew of options available at 21, as after the top 15 or so picks, draft boards across the league will vary dramatically. I watched Chandler Hutchison, the senior wing from Boise State this morning. At 6’7, and 200 lbs, Hutchison appears to have an NBA body on film, I would imagine the Jazz will be able to get him in for a pre-draft workout, and could be in play for the Jazz first round pick. He has NBA athleticism for a wing, and great fluidity running the floor. Already a senior, his ceiling is lower than other options for the Jazz at 21, but I would be surprised if he didn’t have a long productive NBA career. With his athleticism, if his perimeter shot continues to develop (37% as a junior, 36% as a senior) he could become a prototypical wing in the NBA. If Dennis Lindsey is happy with the upside of his current roster, and is looking for more immediate contributors locked into a low contract for the next 4 years, Hutchison could be a real option.
I wrote about the luxury the Jazz have in this year’s draft, and how well Lindsey has drafted in the 20’s in his career at KSL, read about it below.
Jazz hold luxury pick outside of draft lottery
