Phoenix Suns had the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and decided to use it well, selecting Arizona’s big man Deandre Ayton with the pick on Thursday night. There were rumors that Suns might trade the pick but decided not to pass on the chance to have a No.1 overall selection for the first time in the franchise’s history.
Sacramento Kings were next on the clock and decided to select Duke’s power forward Marvin Bagley III. There were speculations that the Kings might go all in for Slovenia and Real Madrid’s wonder kid Luka Doncic but still stuck with a more popular choice. Dallas Mavericks, on the other side, were so amazed by Doncic’s talent that they have decided to move up in the draft in order to get him.
Atlanta Hawks decided to trade their 2018 NBA Draft third overall pick to Mavericks in exchange for their fifth overall pick and lightly protected 2019 first round pick. Mavs used their newly acquired pick to get Luka Doncic.
With the fourth overall pick, Memphis Grizzlies selected Michigan’s Jaren Jackson Jr., while Hawks used the Mavericks pick to take Oklahoma’s Trae Young. Orlando Magic drafted talented big man Mohamed Bamba from Texas with the sixth pick, while Chicago Bulls also took a center with the seventh pick, Duke’s Wendell Carter. Cleveland Cavaliers used the Brooklyn Nets pick they acquired from Boston Celtics to take Alabama’s point guard Collin Sexton.
Interesting thing was that Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr., who was considered to be among top three talents in the draft class, slipped down all the way to the 14th spot, where he was selected by the Denver Nuggets. Reportedly, Porter’s back problems scared away teams and they just didn’t want to take that risk.
2018 NBA Draft also saw Philadelphia 76ers trading their tenth overall selection, Villanova’s Mikal Bridges, to Phoenix Suns in exchange for Suns’ 16th overall selection, Texas Tech’s Zhaire Smith, and Miami Heat’s unprotected 2021 first-round pick.
You can check out the all selections of 2018 NBA Draft here.
