As expected, the Phoenix Suns chose DeAndre Ayton for the 2018 NBA Draft. The big surprise in the lottery, however, came from the Dallas Mavericks, while Michael Porter Jr. fell deeply.
Ayton, who played 20.1 points and 11.6 rebounds for the Arizona Wildcats at college, was already considered the clear favourite on the first pick in the run-up to the drag. In the Suns, Devin Booker and Josh Jackson will usher in a new era, and he is considered to be a player who should show strong performances in his first season.
After the Sacramento Kings secured themselves position 2 Big Man talent Marvin Bagley (Duke), the Dallas Mavericks made another coup: They traded the No.5 pick together with their 2019 first-round pick (top 5-protected) for the No.3 pick of the Atlanta Hawks and were able to fish Luka Doncic.
Dallas pulled Guard talent Trae Young and sent him straight to the Hawks. In between the Memphis Grizzlies chose Big Man talent Jaren Jackson Jr., Mohamed Bamba went to the Orlando Magic in position 6.
A few days ago, the forward was still considered a potential No.2 pick, but mainly due to its back problems, it now fell back to position 14, where the Denver Nuggets “redeemed” it.
The Suns then attacked again in the lottery: Phoenix sent their own No.16 pick (Zhaire Smith) and a 2021 first-round pick to Philadelphia and got college champion Mikal Bridges for it.
Here’s the ticker for the NBA Draft 2018!