Ball Durham
Fansided

Duke in the NBA: Ball Durham’s First Round Mock Draft

By Kevin Connelly

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Grayson Allen #23 speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Grayson Allen #23 speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 24: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the Syracuse Orange during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 24: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the Syracuse Orange during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

No. 10: Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers) – Kevin Knox, SF/PF – Kentucky

If Ben Simmons wants to take his game to the next level he has to improve his shooting and play off the ball more. Whether he does that or not Kevin Knox would provide Philly with great depth off the bench and an insurance policy if someone got hurt. Knox would also give Philly the option of trying to trade Robert Covington for draft assets in the future or an immediate impact player at another position. Knox can be an elite scorer in the NBA if the right pieces are put around him and they could very well happen in Philadelphia.

No. 9: New York Knicks – Michael Porter Jr., SF – Missouri

If you follow basketball, you know the Knicks have absolutely no luck and need a major impact player in this year’s NBA Draft. Michael Porter Jr. is a bit of a gamble, but if he can get healthy the Knick fans could finally feel good about themselves. If Porter’s injury history comes up again in 2018-19 the Knicks could take a page out of the 76ers playbook by shutting him down the season and tanking for a highly coveted prospect in the 2019 Draft since with will be without star Kristaps Porzingus in 2018-19 as well. Although risky, drafting Michael Porter Jr. could help make New York Knicks basketball relevant again.

No. 8: Cleveland Cavilers (via Brooklyn Nets) – Mikal Bridges, SG/SF – Villanova

It’s becoming more and more likely that the Cavs will need a roster haul this offseason. A 2018-19 season with no LeBron James or Kevin Love is a very real possibility, but luckily for Caviler fans, Mikal Bridges fits in perfect with the Cavs whether or not they have James and/or Love on the roster. Drawing comparisons to Kawhi Leonard, Bridges was sensational at Villanova this year averaging 17.7 points per game and his defensive game was no joke either. No matter how the offseason shakes out for the Cavs, they need Mikal Bridges on the roster.

No. 7: Chicago Bulls – Wendell Carter Jr., PF – Duke

Wendell Carter Jr. might have been the most overlooked player in college basketball this season. Overshadowed by the greatness of Marvin Bagley III, Carter Jr. averaged 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils this season. Carter also showed the ability to step outside, knocking down 41.3% of his three-pointers. As a team’s success in the NBA is being made on the ability to make three-pointers, paring Carter Jr. with Lauri Markkanen would give the Bulls a solid core to try and restore the greatness the franchise once had.

No. 6: Orlando Magic – Trae Young, PG – Oklahoma

From November to March any sports channel you would put on would have Trae Young highlights all over it. Young set the college basketball world on fire, averaging 27.4 points per game for Oklahoma but his defense was a major question. The Magic think they have two solid pieces in Jonathan Issac and Aaron Gordon down low, but they do not have a leader in the backcourt. Young doesn’t lack confidence and his explosiveness from the perimeter could open things up for Gordon and Issac down low in hope of turning the Magic franchise around.

Home/Blue Devils in the NBA