The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

NBA mock draft 5.0 – Best available player edition

By Kohl Rast

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans is seen during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Mohamed Bamba poses for a portrait before the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Mohamed Bamba poses for a portrait before the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

C. Texas. 4. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Mohamed Bamba. 211

The Grizzlies have the next pick and would be getting Mo Bamba, according to the rankings. The staff had Bamba as essentially the top player in the 2nd tier of talent. He was ranked lowest at sixth but was in the top three for only three of the staff writers.

Bamba would be a very interesting fit next to Marc Gasol but they could probably figure something out. I think this would probably be the most difficult fit so far in this mock draft. Even still, Memphis would be excited to get the freaky length of Bamba for the team.

Michigan State. 5. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Jaren Jackson Jr.. 79. PF/C

Here is the moment we have all been waiting for. According to this top talent type draft, the Mavs would be receiving Michigan State big man, Jaren Jackson Jr. I know this would be pretty exciting for a lot of Mavs fans, but some in the staff don’t fully agree. His lowest ranking was all the way down at 13 and had one rank him at 9, but the rest of the staff had him unanimously in their top five.

Jaren Jackson would fit great in the Mavs system. His shot blocking prowess and ability to defend well anywhere on the court are things that Carlisle will love about him. Add that to the fact that he is one of the youngest prospects in this draft and you know there is room for growth. Jackson would be a solid addition to the Mavs.

6. Pick Analysis. F. Missouri. Michael Porter Jr.. 38. Scouting Report

Despite the recent setbacks in his health, the Magic would be getting Michael Porter Jr. next in this mock draft. Porter was pretty consistently ranked right around sixth by the staff with his lowest ranking dropping to eight and his highest all the way up to three. Despite Porter’s limited range in the rankings, he is one of the most curious prospects in the draft with possibly the most star potential available, but a scary injury to have to look past.

His fit in Orlando would be great.

Next: #7 - #9