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The 2018 NBA Draft is upon us and the Detroit Pistons won’t pick until selection No. 42. Accordingly, I have done very little draft prep, don’t really watch college basketball and have been drinking a little bit.
That sounds like a perfect combination to do a live pick-by-pick update and instant reactions to the selections based on practically nothing at all. Myself and some other DBB’ers will update this page with our thoughts on the selections (if we have any).
Much of our staff actually know about these prospects, so I promise this will be a thread of both ridiculousness and insight.
If you’re interested in what the pros at the mothership are doing, they also have a draft tracker going on. You can also consider this Detroit Bad Boys’ open thread for during the draft.
Let’s get started!
DBB Reax:
No. 1, Deandre Ayton to Suns
Sean: I’m personally skeptical of a player with Ayton’s offensive profile having a huge impact in the NBA. He can be good, maybe really good, but I don’t think he’s gonna be great.
Phoenix takes Ayton. Anytime you take a guy who might be the third-best center in this draft no. 1 overall, you gotta do it.#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 21, 2018
No. 2, Marvin Bagley III to Kings
Sacramento takes Bagley III second overall - back-to-back bigs who can't defend at the top of the draft #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 21, 2018
Sean: Kangz gonna Kangz ... Luka or bust!
No. 3, Atlanta selects Luka Doncic (for the Mavs),
Sean: The best player in the draft goes No. 3 to the Mavs, who trade No. 5 and a future first to jump up two spots to grab Luka. The rebuild in Dallas finally feels like it can begin with a baton pass from Dirk to Doncic. Love it for Dallas.
Atlanta, meanwhile, probably thinks it can get the player it wants the most plus an extra first for its trouble.
Atlanta takes Doncic for Dallas - amazing value for Dallas, getting the best player in the draft at No. 5 overall. Excited to see he and Dennis Smith Jr. torch nets together #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 21, 2018
No. 4 Jaren Jackson Jr to the Grizzlies
Sean: A year after taking one underperforming center with a jumper out of MSU, the Grizzlies select ... another underperforming center with a jumper out of MSU in Jackson Jr. This time, though, I think they got it right. I really think there is a chance Jackson ends up the best player in this draft. He profiles as possible difference-maker at both ends, and even if he only grades out as a dominant offensive big or a dominant defensive big he’s great value at No. 4.
I had Jaren Jackson Jr. as the second-best player in this draft, a big who DOES do what you want a big man to do in 2018 (block shots and anchor a D), and does it excellently. Nice pickup for Memphis. GO GREEN!#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 21, 2018
No. 5 Atlanta selects Trae Young (for the Mavs)
Trae Young to Atlanta to complete the Luka Doncic trade (and make no mistake, this is "The Luka Doncic Trade"). Young-Collins PNR's will be fun next year, but I hope Atlanta's ownership group knows what they're up to.#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
Switching to tweets cuz this shit is too tiring to do in more than one place ...
No. 6 Orlando selects Mo Bamba
Well, I thought that Mo Bamba could be a great defensive big man. But the fact that Orlando selected him means he's probably gonna bust.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) June 22, 2018
Bismack Mobambo
Mo Bamba gets sentenced to the NBA's Bermuda Triangle in Orlando. At least now if he never develops into the unicorn he sold himself as, no one will notice.#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 7 Wendell Carter Jr. to the Chicago Bulls
Don't really know much about Wendell Carter Jr, but his draft outfit = guaranteed NBA All-Star
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) June 22, 2018
No. 8 Collin Sexton to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavs take Sexton at 8. Anytime you have the chance to take a guard who can't shoot in a league where spacing is more important than ever, you have to do it. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
I know nothing about college players. Therefore, I am completely confident in saying that Collin Sexton is giving me serious Elfrid Payton vibes and that scares the hell out of me.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) June 22, 2018
No. 9 Kevin Knox to the Knicks
My thoughts on the Kevin Knox selection:
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) June 22, 2018
Screw the Knicks
Screw Kentucky
Screw that kid they trot out every year who cried
Screw Knick fans
Screw Calipari
Good luck, Kevin Knox
No. 10, Mikal Bridges to the Suns (via Sixers)
Sixers make a smart pick with Mikal Bridges. Hey, they don't have a GM. This is a good sign for the Pistons ...
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) June 22, 2018
The Sixers take Mikal Bridges at 10. Love the pick - Bridges' skillset is one that literally every NBA team could use. Philly continues to build with guys who are both large for their position and skilled.#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 11, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Clippers (via Hornets)
Damn, Mitch shakes down the Clippers for two future seconds by stealing their player. Cold blooded, and I love it.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) June 22, 2018
No. 12, Miles Bridges to the Hornets (via Clippers via Pistons)
The Clippers select Miles Bridges for the Hornets - I love Bridges, but I'm less objective about him than I could be about JJJ. Bridges will be an intriguing watch if Kemba leaves - he needs another creator next to him on offense. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 13, Clippers select Jerome Robinson
The Clippers with their own pick select Jerome Robinson, who rocketed up the draft during the workout portion. I don't think he's a lottery pick, but I don't think he's bad either. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 14, Denver selects Michael Porter Jr.
Dever selects Michael Porter Jr. with the 14th pick.
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
You know in 2K when the head trainer comes to you before the draft and says "I would not draft this guy under any circumstances?"
That's me on Porter Jr.#DBBonDraft
No. 15, Wizards select Troy Brown
Washington takes Troy Brown at 15. Washington offers him the opportunity to come along slowly behind Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre, and Brown offers more physically than a Zaire Smith. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 16, Zhaire Smith to Sixers (via Suns)
No. 17, Dante DiVincenzo to the Bucks
Bucks take Donte DiVincenzo at 17. How much $$$ has that guy made for himself in the last three months? He and Sterling Brown are an intriguing bench wing combination. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 18, Lonnie Walker to the Spurs
I was secretly convinced Lonnie Walker was going to be the biggest disappointment of the draft (based on nothing), yet the Spurs just took him soooooo ....... trust the Spurs.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) June 22, 2018
No. 19, Kevin Huerter to the Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks select Kevin Huerter with the 19th pick. I LOVE this pick - Huerter is a big physical shooter, the type of guy who fits in anywhere. Hawks are about to start scoring points in bunches with he and Trae Young. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 20, Josh Okogie to the Timberwolves
The 20th pick to the Wolves is Josh Okogie. Okogie is definitely a Thibs kind of player - long, defensive minded, and athletic. I wonder what this means for Andrew Wiggins moving forward in Minnesota?#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 21, Grayson Allen to the Jazz
The Utah Jazz just drafted the Zodiac Killer.
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) June 22, 2018
No. 22, Chandler Hutchinson to the Bulls
The Chicago Bulls will take Chandler Hutchinson with the 22nd pick. I felt like there were better wing options (Melvin Frazier?) available, but the Bulls honed in on him early on in the draft process.#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 23, Aaron Holiday to the Pacers
The Pacers take Aaron Holiday with the 23rd pick. Holiday is undersized, but a deadly shooter with an NBA family pedigree. his ability to defend at the next level will determine his NBA destiny. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 24, Anfernee Simons to the Blazers
Portland will take Anfernee Simons with the 24th pick. I LOVE this pick for the Blazers. Simons is a young, raw guard, and the Blazers have displayed the ability to mold those type of guys into contributors. Great marriage.#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 25, Mo Wagner to the Lakers
Lakers take Michigan's Mo Wagner at 25. I like Wagner, but there's a cap on how impactful a big man with that little acumen defensively can be - even one as good a shooter as he is.#DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 26, Landry Shamet to the Sixers
I do not like Landry Shamet to the Sixers at 26. Shamet is a shooter, but nothing more at the NBA level. You can find guys who do what Shamet does elsewhere - without using a first-round pick to do it. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 27, Robert Williams to the Celtics
Celtics taking Robert Williams at 27. This is fantastic value for the Celtics - Williams is a lottery talent at a position of (relative) need for the Celtics. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 29, Jacob Evans to the Warriors
Warriors take Jacob Evans at 28 - another multi-positional athletic wing - but at least this one can also shoot!
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
What? The Warriors didn't need another good player? We're all screwed? Oh. #DBBonDraft
No. 29, Dzanan Musa to the Nets
No. 30, Omari Spellman to the Hawks
No. 31, Elie Okobo to the Suns
PHX taking Okobo, one of my favorite guys in the draft, with the 31st pick hurts. It's a good pick for them, though. He's a talent at a position of need, should fit nicely offensively next to Devin Booker. #DBBonDraft
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) June 22, 2018
No. 32, Jevon Carter to Memphis
No. 33, Jalen Brunson to the Mavs
No. 34, Devonte Graham to the Hornets
No. 35, Melvin Frazier to the Magic
No. 36, Mitchell Robinson to the Knicks
No. 37, Gary Trent Jr. to the Blazers (via Kings)
No. 38, Khyri Thomas to the Pistons (via Sixers)
Read the story on Detroit Bad Boys
No. 39, Isaac Bonga to the Sixers
No. 40, Rodions Kurucs to the Nets
No. 41, Jarred Vanderbilt to the Nuggets
No. 42, Bruce Brown Jr. to the Pistons
Read the story on Detroit Bad Boys
THE END
2018 NBA Draft Results
| Pick | Team | Player |
|---|---|---|
| Pick | Team | Player |
| 1 | Phoenix Suns | Deandre Ayton |
| 2 | Sacramento Kings | Marvin Bagley III |
| 3 | Dallas (trade w/ Hawks) | Luka Doncic |
| 4 | Memphis Grizzlies | Jaren Jackson Jr. |
| 5 | Atlanta (trade w/ Mavericks) | Trae Young |
| 6 | Orlando Magic | Mo Bamba |
| 7 | Chicago Bulls | Wendell Carter Jr |
| 8 | Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets) | Collin Sexton |
| 9 | New York Knicks | Kevin Knox |
| 10 | Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers) | Mikal Bridges |
| 11 | Clippers (via Hornets) | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
| 12 | Hornets (via Clippers via Pistons) | Miles Bridges |
| 13 | Los Angeles Clippers | Jerome Robinson |
| 14 | Denver Nuggets | Michael Porter Jr. |
| 15 | Washington Wizards | Troy Brown |
| 16 | Phoenix Suns (via Heat) | Zhaire Smith |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | Dante DiVincenzo |
| 18 | San Antonio Spurs | Lonnie Walker |
| 19 | Atlanta Hawks (via Timberwolves) | Kevin Heuerter |
| 20 | Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder) | Josh Okogie |
| 21 | Utah Jazz | Grayson Allen |
| 22 | Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans) | Chandler Hutchinson |
| 23 | Indiana Pacers | Aaron Holiday |
| 24 | Portland Trail Blazers | Anfernee Simons |
| 25 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavaliers) | Mo Wagner |
| 26 | Philadelphia 76ers | Landry Shamet |
| 27 | Boston Celtics | Robert Williams |
| 28 | Golden State Warriors | Jacob Evans |
| 29 | Brooklyn Nets | Dzanan Musa |
| 30 | Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets) | Omari Spellman |
| Second Round | ||
| Pick | Team | Player |
| 31 | Phoenix Suns | Elie Okobo |
| 32 | Memphis Grizzlies | Jevon Carter |
| 33 | Dallas Mavericks | Jalen Brunson |
| 34 | Atlanta Hawks | Devonte Graham |
| 35 | Orlando Magic | Melvin Frazier |
| 36 | Blazers (via Kings) | Mitchell Robinson |
| 37 | New York Knicks (via Bulls) | Gary Trent Jr. |
| 38 | Detroit Pistons (via Sixers via Nets) | Khyri Thomas |
| 39 | Philadelphia 76ers (via Knicks) | Isaac Bonga |
| 40 | Brooklyn Nets (via Lakers) | Rodions Kurucs |
| 41 | Orlando Magic (via Hornets) | Robert Vanderbilt |
| 42 | Detroit Pistons | Bruce Brown Jr. |