2018 NBA Mock Draft first round plus OKC Thunder picks

NBA Draft night 2018 has arrived and with it, TI’s annual Mock Draft for round one and the OKC Thunder pick plus a bunch of other goodies.

With a generational star like Russell Westbrook, Thunder fans get to witness events like 45 point scoring onslaughts to erase 25 point deficits. However, no team, not even the champions boast a roster with 15 of those types. This 2018 NBA Draft class is cited as deep, but at best a handful of these prospects are likely to become star talents. And that will depend on work ethic, system fit, and chemistry.

In reality, the majority of the 2018 class will be comprised of the typical talent which fills most rosters. Practically the majority of the prospects will be defined as specialists and role players. All rookies will need to adjust to the uptick in speed at the pro level, complicated defenses comprised of more than zones and talent which will feast on even the best from the class.

Sam Presti won’t have much flexibility:

As Adam Silver and Mark Tatum announce 52 names Sam Presti will await his turn. By the time OKC makes its first pick at 53, the field will be significantly narrowed. Those remaining will tend to be seniors, one-dimensional athletes, and risk versus reward prospects. Barring a Manu Ginobili sleeper of course.

Although not ideal, that may not be a terrible thing given the OKC Thunder offseason uncertainty. Landing a senior who can provide serviceable minutes off the bench may in fact be the best thing for OKC. The other very real problem the OKC Thunder face is salary concerns, so again, adding roster depth with economics in mind will be a running narrative this offseason.

Heading into the free agency moratorium on July 1st the other significant timelines occur just prior. Carmelo Anthony has until June 23rd to opt into his contract and Paul George has until June 29th. The hope is the former will opt out, but don’t hold your breath. As for George, fans will have to wait and hope he elects to re-sign with OKC.

The Melo – PG part of the equation:

All these factors will play a role in what Presti can and should do with his roster. The worst-case scenario, of course, would be Anthony opting in and George leaving. Based on ‘rumors’ and supposition the theory is even if Melo elects to opt-in the Thunder will find a way to either waive him, trade him or buy him out.

Unless Presti feels certain in what two of the three members of the OK3 will do in the next ten days the GM needs to make uninformed decisions. Since the picks come so late it may not matter and the overriding fact is the Thunder will need to add depth in the frontcourt regardless.

Clear number one might not even go top three:

Moving forward to the draft this evening, there is supposition it will be one for the ages. As of this morning, there are rumors several of the top lottery teams are open to trade down and multiple teams are trying to trade up.

While I’m not a GM, in my armchair and fantasy world I fail to understand how Luka Doncic isn’t the top-rated pick on every single board. I recall feeling this strongly about Kristaps Prozingis in his draft class and when I suggested LA should select him over Russell it wasn’t received well.

In hindsight that gut instinct was accurate. And, hey I’m definitely open to admitting I’m wrong if this overtly unnatural obsession with Doncic proves to be wrong. But, at the same time, I won’t be shocked if the young European wins Rookie of the Year and is the best player from his class for years to come.

Rumor mill running rampant:

Other key factors to watch for this evening will revolve around teams with stars who want out (hello Kawhi) and teams who may be looking to part ways with existing talent.

The teams at the top of this list are the Grizzlies and Chandler Parsons, the Hawks may look to shop both Dennis Schroder and Kent Bazemore, the Hornets Kemba Walker and potentially the Cavaliers will look to offload Kevin Love and perhaps others in an effort to keep LeBron James.

Specific tiers in this draft class:

Certainly, this 2018 NBA Draft class could be dubbed the Big Draft given the number of big men at the top of the class. There are also several guards with few teams who need that particular roster spot filled.

Given the way the modern game is played with positionless ball, small lineups, increased pace, and less reliance on paint play It was an inevitability wings and forwards would become the most coveted get. Therefore watch for the teams who look to build their teams with prospects who offer length, the ability to defend multiple positions, possess efficiency from the perimeter, or the potential to improve and have youth on their side.

Notably, the top eight picks seem cemented although where they’ll be specifically drafted remains up in the air. After this group, there are another eight to ten prospects that stand out. From that point forward the draft will begin to take on the emphasis of system needs and filling specific spots.

Although most GMs will tell you they will select the top talent on the board, once the elite are gone the remaining prospects might fit specific teams better based on style or need.

Draft order and teams without picks:

At this point, after 60 prospect previews, TI fans are well aware the OKC Thunder doesn’t possess a pick in the first round. Three other teams (six in total) are in the same position including the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Pelicans.

In the second round, nine teams won’t participate including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, and San Antonio Spurs. And the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors have no picks in either round.