2018 NBA Draft Rankings Tracker
By Ryan Murphy
Updated:
- Look back at the average draft projections for the top 14 prospects from the 2018 NBA Draft
- See how their stock rose or fell in the eyes of scouts and top talent evaluatorsÂ
- Looking for the current NBA draft odds?
The 2018 NBA Draft unfolded much as expected with Deandre Ayton going first overall to the Phoenix Suns. The Arizona big man was consistently in the top spot in our average draft rankings from early March onwards. Take a look below to see which other players were selected in the lottery.
2018 NBA Draft Lottery Selection
DeAndre Ayton and Luka Doncic aren’t the only ones who stand to make a fortune when their names are announced at 2018 NBA Draft. Savvy bettors can also cash in by accurately predicting when each lottery-level talent will be chosen.
That’s where we come in. We’ve been tracking the movement of the world’s top 14 prospects across five popular NBA draft sites, and have come up with a single number for each player that represents their average ranking.
We’ve included the information below in an easy-to-read graph and have also added stats and facts about the most-talked about players. Check back regularly before the NBA Draft on Thursday, June 21st to see how their numbers fluctuate.
DeAndre Ayton hasn’t budged from the top of draft boards since the end of his freshman year. The 7’1″ center averaged 20.1 points and 11.6 boards in his only season with the Wildcats and is an athletic freak with a polished post game. Expect him to stay in the Grand Canyon state where he’ll combine with Devin Booker to form one of the most intriguing young tandems in the league.
Trae Young is the first player to lead the nation in points and assists in a single season and projects as a lethal playmaker at the next level.
Another player to keep an eye on is Trae Young, who has been the subject of countless bets on sportsbooks around the world leading up to the 2018 NBA Draft.
The consensus All-American is the first player to lead the nation in points and assists in a single season and projects as a lethal playmaker at the next level. Young has seen his average draft ranking improve from 8.0 on March 10th to 7.0 on June 8th.
The 2018 NBA Draft is particularly long on players who are particularly long. DeAndre Ayton and Mo Bamba are both 7’0″ tall with insane wingspans of 7’8″ or longer. Robert Williams, meanwhile, is a touch shorter at 6’10”, but he too has a 7’4″ wingspan that should allow him to sway shots with ease in the NBA. Expect all three players to make an immediate impact as soon as they enter the league.
2018 NBA Draft Order
The Suns provided the perfect blueprint for securing the number one pick in the draft by losing 27 of their final 30 games of the season. Their thoroughly transparent tank job wasn’t pretty to watch, but it should help the franchise to hasten their rebuild.
It will be fascinating to see how the Kings screw up the second pick in the draft. Will they select yet another mediocre big man, or will they settle for an underachieving guard with a history of back issues? The options are limitless.
Believe it or not, Sacramento hasn’t produced a winning season since 2006 despite having ten top 10 draft picks over the last ten years.
The SEC didn’t produce a national champion in 2018, but for the fifth year in a row it’s likely to produce the most players in the NBA Draft lottery. Much of the credit goes to John Calipari, who has helped an astounding 31 players get drafted during his first eight seasons at Kentucky.
Top 10 Players Available
Luka Doncic may not have the same name appeal as his American peers, but the Slovenian sensation can flat out play. Doncic led Real Madrid in points and assists this season and became the youngest player ever to receive the EuroLeague MVP and EuroLeague Final Four MVP awards.
Any team that drafts him will benefit immediately from his sweet stroke and exceptional court vision.
Former Sports Writer
Ryan worked as an Editor and resident Lead NBA and MLB Writer for SB from 2017-19. He has authored his own weekly columns for Fox Sports and AskMen, and has created successful campaigns for the WWE, the NHL, and the NFL. Ryan's critically acclaimed stories have been published in 20 books.
