Editor's note (March 20): This mock draft has been updated with the latest intel.
How has the shape of the NBA draft changed with many of the likely lottery picks out of the NCAA tournament?
Let's look at where the top prospects -- including Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Mohamed Bamba and Marvin Bagley III -- might land.
Our mock draft differs in two crucial ways from our recently updated top 100 prospect rankings. It uses ESPN's BPI to project the draft order, and it's adjusted for NBA team needs accordingly. It also attempts to project which players will ultimately end up declaring and keeping their names in the draft.
1. Phoenix Suns
![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/0111/r304970_2_400x600_2-3.jpg)
Deandre Ayton
Arizona
Age: 19.6
C
Height: 7 feet | Weight: 243
Ayton was beginning to answer some of the questions scouts have had about him since high school with a string of dominant performances down the stretch. Unfortunately, the way he ended the season brought many of those question marks back to light. Physically, he's one of the most gifted prospects we've seen in the draft in the past few years, and he has an impressive skill level, to boot.
Phoenix, the worst defensive team in the NBA, will be right to question Ayton's impact on that end of the floor, but his sheer productivity makes it difficult to not slot him at the top of this class.
Starting salary: $8,095,680
2. Atlanta Hawks
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20505.jpg)
Luka Doncic
Real Madrid
Age: 19.0
PG
Height: 6-foot-8 | Weight: 228
After playing 80 games in the 2016-17 season, Doncic went straight into preparation for EuroBasket, which extended deep into September, giving him no offseason whatsoever. His body is paying the toll for that now, as he clearly hit a wall in February and was recently shut down by Real Madrid for at least a couple of weeks. It will be intriguing to see if Doncic can regain his early-season form heading into the EuroLeague and ACB playoffs, which will help him re-establish his candidacy for the No. 1 pick.
Doncic would be a dream selection for the Hawks because he has the size, skill and versatility to fit in well alongside all their existing talent, while also possessing star potential in his own right.
Starting salary: $7,243,440
3. Memphis Grizzlies
![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/0115/r314664_400x600_2-3.jpg)
Marvin Bagley III
Duke
Age: 19.0
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 234
Considering their aging core, financial woes and precarious ownership situation, the Grizzlies will likely be looking to return to playoff contention as quickly as possible. With a rim-protecting 3-point shooter in Marc Gasol already in the fold, this is one of the few places in the lottery in which Bagley could actually fit in very nicely alongside another big man and not be pigeonholed into the center position, where his poor defense might be a real concern.
Bagley's athleticism, motor, rebounding, finishing ability and overall productivity will be very attractive here.
Starting salary: $6,504,600
4. Orlando Magic
![](https://a.espncdn.com/photo/2018/0222/r331747_130x180_smallmug.jpg)
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Michigan State
Age: 18.5
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 240
The youngest projected first-rounder, Jackson might have the highest ceiling in terms of his ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor. He has enviable physical tools, including a 7-foot-4 wingspan and tremendous mobility. Jackson's ability to space the floor (40 percent from 3 and 80 percent from the line), block shots (5.7 per 40 minutes), switch on every screen and, increasingly, put the ball on the floor from the perimeter makes him an ideal fit for the modern NBA.
It's easy to see Jackson manning the center position for Orlando in a frontcourt alongside the equally versatile Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. He also could play together at times with Nikola Vucevic, who sorely needs an athletic, defensive-oriented big man alongside him to make up for his shortcomings on that end of the court.
Starting salary: $5,864,640
5. Sacramento Kings
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20509.jpg)
Mohamed Bamba
Texas
Age: 19.8
C
Height: 7-0 | Weight: 207
None of the Kings' big men have emerged as franchise cornerstones at this stage, meaning it would be foolish to pass on a top-tier talent due to positional concerns.
Bamba will get some looks higher than this, as well, given his rare combination of length, shot-blocking instincts and offensive promise. Every team in the NBA is looking for a big man who can anchor a defense. That includes the Kings, who have struggled on that end of the floor all season.
Starting salary: $5,310,720
6. Dallas Mavericks
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20507.jpg)
Wendell Carter Jr.
Duke
Age: 18.9
C
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 259
The Mavs could certainly use help in the frontcourt, and Carter's basketball IQ and versatility are promising in a number of ways. He is a physically mature big man with a 259-pound frame and a 7-foot-3 wingspan, which will allow him to play the center position in the NBA with ease.
He is a polished player with excellent hands and touch around the basket and has demonstrated a nice blend of passing, shot-blocking and perimeter shooting, despite being overshadowed at times by fellow big man Marvin Bagley III.
Starting salary: $4,823,520
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Nets)
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20504.jpg)
Michael Porter Jr.
Missouri
Age: 19.7
SF/PF
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 214
With an uncertain future on the horizon due to LeBron James' free agency, the Cavs will need to stockpile as much talent as they can, regardless of their hopes of keeping the King at home.
Porter came into the season with the hope of making a run at being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to build his case because of a back injury. Porter's size, shot-creation skill and scoring instincts will nevertheless make him a coveted prospect next June. He is a playmaker on both ends of the floor and is just starting to figure out how to put his talent to full use.
Starting salary: $4,403,280
Cleveland will receive Brooklyn's first-round pick unprotected.
8. Chicago Bulls
![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2017/1127/r295241_400x600_2-3.jpg)
Trae Young
Oklahoma
Age: 19.4
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 176
Kris Dunn has had a breakout season for the Bulls, but he could certainly use some backcourt help due to his inconsistent jump shot and shaky decision-making skills.
Young looks like a nice backcourt pairing with his ability to navigate pick-and-rolls, make shots off the dribble and find the open man with impressive creativity. Having the luxury of hiding him defensively will be a key to his early success, and Dunn can defend either guard spot.
Starting salary: $4,033,800
9. New York Knicks
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20510.jpg)
Collin Sexton
Alabama
Age: 19.2
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 183
Frank Ntilikina has had some nice rookie moments, but the Knicks are finding out that the long-armed, 6-foot-5 guard seems better suited playing alongside a more dominant ball handler and shot creator who can take some of the scoring responsibilities off his shoulders.
Enter Sexton, with his tremendous aggressiveness driving the lane, taking off-the-dribble jumpers and putting defensive pressure on opposing guards. NBA teams have some concerns about Sexton's decision-making and reckless style of play. Fiercely competitive, Sexton has shown enough flashes in the right areas to be comfortably projected as a starting-caliber point guard, with plenty of upside to grow into.
Starting salary: $3,708,120
10. Charlotte Hornets
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20360.jpg)
Mikal Bridges
Villanova
Age: 21.5
SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 200
The Hornets are still searching for long-term answers on the wing, where they've rotated a number of players in and out of the starting lineup all season, partially due to injuries.
Bridges is an easy player to slot on almost any NBA roster, thanks to his multipositional defensive versatility, 3-point shooting and role-player potential. He isn't as gifted a shot creator as you'd like from a top-10 pick, so the Hornets will have to continue to rebuild their roster using other assets.
Starting salary: $3,522,480
11. LA Clippers (via Pistons)
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20468.jpg)
Robert Williams
Texas A&M
Age: 20.4
PF/C
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 237
Williams reminded everyone why he was such a highly touted prospect entering the season with a tremendous opening weekend in the NCAA tournament, helping Texas A&M reach the Sweet 16.
Despite playing out of position all season, he has shown that his game is tailor-made for the NBA as a rim-running, pick-and-roll-finishing, shot-blocker/offensive rebounder in the Clint Capela mold. With DeAndre Jordan in the final year of his contract, the Clippers could certainly look to Williams as a potential successor.
Starting salary: $3,346,560
The Clippers will receive Detroit's pick if it falls outside the top four.
12. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20379.jpg)
Miles Bridges
Michigan State
Age: 19.9
SF/PF
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 226
The Sixers are likely in line to draft in the lottery due to the shrewd Michael Carter-Williams trade made by Sam Hinkie three years ago.
Bridges is arguably the best athlete in this draft and plays a coveted position as a two-way forward who can guard all over the floor, something that should be appealing to Philadelphia. He converted 38 percent of his 3-pointers in college, but his lack of improvement as a ball handler is hampering his draft stock after making a disappointing early exit from the NCAA tournament. He isn't as gifted a shot creator as you'd like, but if he's playing alongside the likes of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, he probably won't need to be.
Starting salary: $3,179,280
Philadelphia will receive the Lakers' pick if it lands at No. 1 or Nos. 6-30. Otherwise, the pick goes to Boston.
13. Denver Nuggets
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Kentucky
Age: 19.6
PG/SG
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 171
The Nuggets are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and will likely be looking to add multipositional versatility to their backcourt, which has been inconsistent on that end of the floor.
Gilgeous-Alexander has the size, length, defensive prowess and unselfishness needed to operate as a role player alongside a variety of guards. His offense has made significant strides as the season has moved on, helping him surprisingly emerge as arguably Kentucky's best top long-term prospect.
Starting salary: $3,020,280
14. LA Clippers
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20531.jpg)
Lonnie Walker IV
Miami
Age: 19.2
SG
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 206
Walker didn't have a consistent or efficient freshman season, but his talent, combined with the lack of depth at his position, is keeping his name in the top-20 conversation. His youth, strong frame, 6-10½ wingspan and ability to shoot with his feet set or off the dribble make him a candidate to rise during the pre-draft process as teams search for upside and diamonds in the rough.
The Clippers' wing rotation is a major work in progress and could certainly use some more shooting, length and perimeter-defensive prowess.
Starting salary: $2,869,320
15. Phoenix Suns (via Bucks)
![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/0315/r341655_400x600_2-3.jpg)
Kevin Knox
Kentucky
Age: 18.6
SF/PF
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 205
The Suns will likely be looking to add athleticism, shooting and length at the forward positions, where they don't have much depth outside of Josh Jackson and TJ Warren.
Knox hasn't had an efficient freshman season, partially due to playing out of position, but there's a significant market in the NBA for combo forwards in his mold who can make an open shot, defend multiple positions and offer some offensive versatility. He's one of the youngest players in this draft, so he still has plenty of room to grow.
Starting salary: $2,725,680
Phoenix will receive Milwaukee's pick if it lands in Nos. 11-16.
16. Phoenix Suns (via Heat)
![](https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/photo/2018/0224/r332723_400x600_2-3.jpg)
Zhaire Smith
Texas Tech
Age: 18.7
SF
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 195
Phoenix could look to continue to add length, athleticism and energy on the defensive end of the floor with the long-armed and explosive Smith.
Originally expected to be more of a 2019 draft candidate, Smith might have accelerated that timeline by helping Texas Tech reach the Sweet 16. He already was rumored to be interested in exploring his pro prospects, even before this past weekend. Smith needs to continue to develop his ballhandling and perimeter shooting, but he's one of the best athletes in this draft, and his trajectory as a prospect suggests he has considerable upside left.
Starting salary: $2,589,480
Phoenix will receive Miami's pick if it is outside the top seven.
17. Indiana Pacers
Keita Bates-Diop
Ohio State
Age: 22.1
SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 235
Unless a major upgrade at point guard presents itself, shooting and depth at the wing/combo forward spots will likely be priorities for the Pacers this offseason, similar to most teams in the NBA.
Bates-Diop has increased his stock dramatically with a breakout season. He has been moving among all of the frontcourt positions for overachieving Ohio State and looks like an ideal fit for the modern NBA, if he can find a way to rev his motor into higher gear at the professional level.
Starting salary: $2,460,000
18. Chicago Bulls (via Pelicans)
Daniel Gafford
Arkansas
Age: 19.4
PF/C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 234
With Robin Lopez approaching the final year of his contract, the Bulls could certainly be in the market for an athletic center who can protect the rim and make plays around the basket.
Gafford's tremendous physical tools and significant upside give him lottery potential. It's somewhere he might still end up at with a strong pre-draft process, but for now, the glut of big men is pushing him down.
Starting salary: $2,337,000
The Bulls will receive New Orleans' pick if it falls outside the top five.
19. Utah Jazz
Anfernee Simons
IMG Academy (HS)
Age: 18.7
SG
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 183
The Jazz might look for a versatile guard who can operate in different lineups without dominating the ball alongside Donovan Mitchell. Simons is one of the least NBA-ready players in the draft, but he's intriguing due to his combination of youth, explosiveness and shot-making prowess.
He's a few years away from panning out, but at this stage of the draft, there isn't much risk, and adding a prospect with his upside would be intriguing.
Starting salary: $2,231,760
20. San Antonio Spurs
Mitchell Robinson
College: None
Age: 19.9
C
Height: 6-11 | Weight: 215
With the Spurs' incumbent big men starters both in their mid-30s and no clear-cut successor-in-waiting, it might make sense for San Antonio's front office to consider drafting a project center to develop long term.
Robinson is one of the most talented prospects in the draft physically -- with impressive length, athleticism and shot-blocking instincts -- but is far away from contributing. The fact that he elected not to play college basketball this season won't help his NBA readiness, but at some point in the draft, he's worth taking a gamble on as a developmental project.
Starting salary: $2,142,360
21. Washington Wizards
Troy Brown
Oregon
Age: 18.6
SG
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 210
Washington's wing rotation could certainly use more depth, and Brown's versatility as a big ball handler, defender and rebounder is intriguing in a league that is starved for players at his position.
Brown's inconsistency as a perimeter shooter has made it difficult for him to fully break out, but being the third-youngest player in this draft class means he still has time to address that.
Starting salary: $2,056,680
22. Atlanta Hawks (via Wolves)
![](https://a.espncdn.com/photo/2017/0814/r244357_130x180_smallmug.jpg)
Dzanan Musa
Cedevita
Age: 18.8
SF
Height: 6-9 | Weight: 195
With the second of their three first-round picks, the Hawks might look to add some depth at forward.
Musa's size, scoring instincts and aggressiveness could be intriguing at this stage of the draft. He's one of the youngest players in this class, but he already is productive in Europe, playing at a fairly high level.
Starting salary: $1,974,480
Atlanta will receive Minnesota's pick if it is outside the lottery.
23. Los Angeles Lakers (via Cavs)
Aaron Holiday
UCLA
Age: 21.4
PG
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 187
Even with Lonzo Ball in place, the Lakers should be looking to solidify their backcourt rotation and add more shooting, ballhandling, defensive intensity and athleticism. Ball's size gives him the ability to operate alongside another combo guard, and it would be beneficial for him to have scoring to take the pressure off.
Holiday has broken through in a major way, and he would bring a number of attractive traits with his microwave scoring ability, long wingspan and toughness.
Starting salary: $1,895,520
The Lakers will receive Cleveland's pick if it is outside the top three.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
Khyri Thomas
Creighton
Age: 21.8
SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 210
Thomas is one of the better defenders in college basketball, capable of guarding three positions with his 6-foot-11 wingspan. He's also a willing ball mover, a promising spot-up shooter and exactly the type of gritty, unselfish character NBA teams covet in role players.
The Sixers have seen their wing depth stretched thin this season and might look to bolster their rotation with a player in Thomas' mold.
Starting salary: $1,819,800
25. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Thunder)
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20479.jpg)
Jacob Evans
Cincinnati
Age: 20.7
SG/SF
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 210
Minnesota's wing rotation will need to be shored up over the summer.
Evans is an ultra-versatile player who guards all over the floor, plays on and off the ball for Cincinnati and sports a career 38 percent mark from 3-point territory at the college level.
Starting salary: $1,746,840
Minnesota will receive Oklahoma City's pick if it is outside the lottery.
26. Portland Trail Blazers
Chandler Hutchison
Boise State
Age: 21.8
SG/SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 193
Portland's wing rotation could use some added depth.
Hutchison has made significant strides with his game as a senior. He looks primed to take advantage of the lack of wings in the draft -- and the NBA in general -- this June. He has outstanding physical tools and is a much-improved ball handler and perimeter shooter.
Starting salary: $1,689,000
27. Boston Celtics
De'Anthony Melton
USC
Age: 19.8
PG/SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195
The Celtics have a tough decision in front of them with Marcus Smart entering free agency, and they might need to find a less expensive backcourt option to avoid luxury tax issues.
Melton looked to be on the verge of a breakout season for USC before the FBI's investigation into recruiting shut him down indefinitely. His defensive versatility, toughness and intangibles make him a prospect worth investing in.
Starting salary: $1,640,400
28. Brooklyn Nets (via Raptors)
Tyus Battle
Syracuse
Age: 20.4
SG/SF
Height: 6-7 | Weight: 204
The Nets are still figuring out what their long-term wing rotation will look like and could very well take a flier on a player such as Battle at the end of the first round.
He's a solid-sized shooting guard with smooth athleticism and a frame that will fill out nicely in time. He improved considerably as a half-court creator as a sophomore, even if his efficiency leaves a lot to be desired.
Starting salary: $1,630,320
Brooklyn will receive Toronto's pick if it is outside the lottery.
29. Golden State Warriors
![](https://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2018/headshots/20491.jpg)
Bruce Brown
Miami
Age: 21.5
SG
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 200
The Warriors are way over the luxury tax and will want to find contributors on cheap rookie contracts.
Although he had a disappointing season that ended with an injury, Brown is a willing passer, lockdown defender and gritty rebounder, and he has shown enough promise with his jump shot at times to lead you to believe he will become adequate here eventually. There's a significant market for players in his mold, provided he has a strong pre-draft process (if he chooses to enter the draft).
Starting salary: $1,618,320
30. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets)
Devonte' Graham
Kansas
Age: 23.0
PG
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175
With their third and final first-round pick, the Hawks might look to add some backcourt depth, specifically someone who can play behind or alongside incumbent starters Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore.
Graham is a ready-made role player, thanks to his terrific experience playing winning basketball at Kansas for four years. He's a 41 percent 3-point shooter and a multipositional defender who ranked third in the country in assists.
Starting salary: $1,606,680
Atlanta will receive Houston's pick if it is outside the top three.
Second round
31. Suns
Jalen Brunson | PG | Age: 21.5 | Villanova
32. Hawks
Melvin Frazier | SF | Age: 21.5 | Tulane
33. Grizzlies
Grayson Allen | SG | Age: 22.4 | Duke
34. Magic
Landry Shamet | PG | Age: 21.0 | Wichita St
35. Kings
Hamidou Diallo | SG | Age: 19.6 | Kentucky
36. Mavericks
Shake Milton | PG/SG | Age: 21.4 | SMU
37. 76ers (via Nets)
Chimezie Metu | PF/C | Age: 20.9 | USC
38. Knicks (via Bulls)
Jalen Hudson | SG | Age: 21.8 | Florida
39. 76ers (via Knicks)
Jerome Robinson | PG | Age: 21.0 | Boston College
40. Magic (via Hornets)
Jevon Carter | PG | Age: 22.5 | West Virginia
41. Pistons
Tony Carr | PG | Age: 20.4 | Penn St
42. Nets (via Lakers)
Trevon Duval | PG | Age: 19.6 | Duke
43. Lakers (via Nuggets)
Rodions Kurucs | SF/PF | Age: 20.1 | Barcelona
44. Nuggets (via Clippers)
Gary Trent Jr. | SG | Age: 19.1 | Duke
45. Nets (via Bucks)
Elie Okobo | PG | Age: 20.4 | Pau-Orthez
46. Rockets (via Heat)
Kevin Hervey | SF | Age: 21.6 | Texas Arlington
47. Pacers
Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk | SG | Age: 20.7 | Kansas
48. Pelicans
Isaac Bonga | SF | Age: 18.3 | Frankfurt
49. Jazz
Moritz Wagner | C | Age: 20.8 | Michigan
50. Spurs
Rawle Alkins | SG | Age: 20.3 | Arizona
51. Wizards
Ray Spalding | PF | Age: 21.0 | Louisville
52. Wolves
Brandon McCoy | C | Age: 19.7 | UNLV
53. Hornets (via Cavs)
Vincent Edwards | SF/PF | Age: 21.9 | Purdue
54. 76ers
DJ Hogg | SF/PF | Age: 21.5 | Texas A&M
55. Thunder
Arnoldas Kulboka | SF | Age: 20.2 | Capo D'Orlando
56. Mavericks (via Blazers)
Devon Hall | SG | Age: 22.6 | Virginia
57. Thunder (via Celtics)
Alize Johnson | PF | Age: 21.9 | Missouri St
58. Suns (via Raptors)
Bonzie Colson | PF | Age: 22.1 | Notre Dame
59. Nuggets (via Warriors)
MiKyle McIntosh | SF/PF | Age: 23.6 | Oregon
60. 76ers (via Rockets)
Amine Noua | PF | Age: 21.1 | Villeurbanne