The 2018 NBA Draft will take place on Thursday and for the first time since 2014, the Cleveland Cavaliers possess a lottery pick.
Acquired from the Boston Celtics as a part of last summer's Kyrie Irving trade, the Cavs currently lay claim to the No. 8 overall pick in next week's draft, a selection that was originally owned by the Brooklyn Nets. Cleveland itself could also always wind up trading the pick in an effort to bolster its roster and keep LeBron James. But should the Cavs opt to make the selection for themselves at 8, there should be several intriguing prospects available for them to choose from.
Of course, the first seven selections in front of them will go a long way toward determining which player it is the Cavs pick. With that in mind, let's take a stab at projecting just how the 2018 NBA Draft will play out in our latest mock draft.
1. Phoenix Suns - Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona
As the NBA Draft approaches, there doesn't seem to be much debate as to who will go No. 1. Expect the Suns to play it safe and select 7-foot-1 center Deandre Ayton, who spent his college career down the road at Arizona, averaging 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in his lone season with the Wildcats.
2. Sacramento Kings - Luka Doncic, G/F, Real Madrid
While No. 1 seems to be settled, the Kings -- who jumped from seventh to second in the draft lottery -- have already been linked to a litany of players throughout the draft process. Ultimately, however, what would make the most sense for Sacramento would be selecting 19-year-old Luka Doncic, who many consider to be one of the top -- if not the top -- foreign prospects in draft history.
3. Atlanta Hawks - Marvin Bagley III, F, Duke
In taking Marvin Bagley III, the Hawks get arguably the most NBA-ready of the top-tier talents and a player instantly capable of becoming their No. 1 offensive option.
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Michael Porter Jr., F, Missouri
Despite seemingly being headed for a rebuild, the Grizzlies seem hesitant to part ways with franchise center Marc Gasol or point guard Mike Conley Jr. That leaves them in a position to take 6-foot-10 forward Michael Porter Jr., who may have been the No. 1 pick in the draft if not for a back injury that limited his college career to just three games.
5. Dallas Mavericks - Jaren Jackson Jr., F/C, Michigan State
Projected in some mock drafts to go as high as second, the Mavericks nab Michigan State big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who at 18-years-old could be the long-term replacement for Dirk Nowitzki in the Dallas frontcourt.
6. Orlando Magic - Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas
During his time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando general manager John Hammond's claim to fame was finding Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2013 draft. In Mohamed Bamba, Hammond could draft a similarly intriguing prospect as the 7-foot-1 center lays claim to an 8-foot wingspan.
7. Chicago Bulls - Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma
Having invested in their frontcourt in recent drafts, it would make sense for the Bulls to attempt to bolster their backcourt. They'd be hard-pressed to find a player more capable of doing just that than Trae Young, who became the first player in NCAA history to lead the country in both scoring (27.4 PPG) and assists (8.7 APG) last season.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers - Mikal Bridges, SG, Villanova
It's hard to envision a scenario where James returns to Cleveland and the Cavs keep whichever player they pick. But as they have for the better part of the past year, it wouldn't be surprising to see GM Koby Altman and owner Dan Gilbert hedge their bets.
In Bridges, the Cavs could do just that, adding a ready-made scorer (17.7 PPG last season) to run the offense through should James head elsewhere. And in the event the 4-time MVP stays put, the 21-year-old Bridges could conceivably be more ready to contribute to a championship run than any other player in the 2018 draft class.
9. New York Knicks - Wendell Carter Jr, PF, Duke
Considered by some to be a top-five talent in the draft, Wendell Carter Jr. could slide should other big men like Ayton, Jackson and Bamba come off the board first. According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, however, the 19-year-old Duke product who averaged 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds, won't last past the Knicks at the No. 9 pick.
10. Philadelphia 76ers - Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State
With "The Process" all but complete, the Sixers have found a pair of franchise pillars in center Joel Embiid and guard/forward Ben Simmons. Now might be the time for Philadelphia to take a flier on a less risky prospect and Miles Bridges fits the mold, as over the course of two seasons the consensus All-American (17.1 points, 7.0 rebounds per game) has proven himself to be a 6-foot-7 scoring machine.
11. Charlotte Hornets - Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky
Seemingly in desperate need of jump-starting a rebuild, the Hornets select 18-year-old Kevin Knox, a high upside 6-foot-9 forward, to pair alongside fellow former Kentucky Wildcat Malik Monk.
12. Los Angeles Clippers - Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama
With the first of two consecutive picks, the Clippers play it safe selecting Collin Sexton (19 ppg, 3.6 apg), a steady 6-foot-2 point guard who could prove to be their long-term replacement for Chris Paul.
13. Los Angeles Clippers - Robert Williams, C, Texas A&M
With DeAndre Jordan able to opt out of his contract this summer, the Clippers could also be in the market for a big man. At 6-foot-10, Robert Williams could help fill that void, while providing more versatility to Doc Rivers' offense than the team has become accustomed to in recent years.
14. Denver Nuggets - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Kentucky
In Shai Giigeous-Alexander, Denver finds a highly capable playmaker, who at 6-foot-6 could pair nicely in the Nuggets backcourt next to fellow former Kentucky combo guard, Jamal Murray.
15. Washington Wizards - Lonnie Walker IV, G, Miami (Fla.)
Whether they split up John Wall and Bradley Beal or are looking to add some firepower off the bench, Washington would be wise to take a look at Lonnie Walker IV, a high upside 6-foot-4 combo guard who averaged 11.9 points per game in his lone season at Miami.
16. Phoenix Suns - Zhaire Smith, SG, Texas Tech
After grabbing Ayton at No. 1, Phoenix uses its extra pick from the Miami Heat to add more athleticism and upside with Zhaire Smith. In 37 games at Texas Tech, the 6-foot-5 swingman averaged 11.3 points on .556 percent shooting, while showcasing potential (.450 percent) from long distance.
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Troy Brown, SG, Oregon
With Jabari Parker slated to hit free agency, Milwaukee opts to add Oregon's Troy Brown. Although he doesn't fit the uber-athletic mold of the rest of the Bucks roster, the 6-foot-7 swingman can help Milwaukee maintain its versatility around
18. San Antonio Spurs - Keita Bates-Diop, F, Ohio State
Regardless of where Kawhi Leonard winds up this summer, Keita Bates-Diop feels like a player Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich would love. The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year averaged 19.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in his junior season and at 6-foot-7 possesses the versatility to play multiple positions at the next level.
19. Atlanta Hawks - Aaron Holiday, PG, UCLA
With Dennis Schroeder's future in Atlanta in question, the Hawks would be wise to grab an insurance policy at point guard. UCLA's Aaron Holiday, who averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists in his junior season, fits the bill.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jerome Robinson, G/F, Boston College
A 6-foot-6 swingman with ball-handling abilities, Boston College's Jerome Robinson could provide Minnesota with a versatile option, regardless of whether or not it opts to shop Jimmy Butler before he can hit the free agent market next summer.
21. Utah Jazz - Donte DiVincenzo, G, Villanova
In Donte DiVincenzo, the Jazz grab a 6-foot-5 guard whose skillset would seemingly mesh perfectly alongside rookie standout Donovan Mitchell. In Villanova's national title victory over Michigan this past season, DiVincenzo scored 31 points, making 5 of his 7 attempts from behind the 3-point line.
22. Chicago Bulls - De'Anthony Melton, G, USC
Although Kris Dunn performed admirably in his first season in Chicago, the Bulls reportedly haven't been happy with the point guard's work ethic. A 6-foot-4 combo guard, Melton could serve as a replacement should Chicago shop Dunn, or as a backcourt running mate should their relationship work out.
23. Indiana Pacers - Elie Okobo, PG, France
Between Darren Collison and Corey Joseph, the Pacers are seemingly set at point guard for the present, but both players are entering the final seasons of their respective contracts. Enter Elie Okobo of France, a 6-foot-2 point guard prospect, who could develop for another year before taking over the reins in Indiana in 2019.
24. Portland Trail Blazers - Kevin Huerter, SG, Maryland
Evan Turner doesn't seem long for Portland and C.J. McCollum could soon find himself on the trade block. The Blazers could stand to add some depth on the wing, and would do so by drafting Maryland swingman Kevin Huerter, who connected on 41.7 percent of his 3-point attempts en route to averaging 14.8 points last season.
25. Los Angeles Lakers - Chandler Hutchison, G-F, Boise State
While it remains unclear what the Lakers roster will look like by this time next week, at this point, it seems clear one of the NBA's youngest teams could stand to add more players capable of contributing as soon as possible. In Chandler Hutchison, the Lakers would be getting one of the few college seniors projected to be selected in the first round this year and a 6-foot-7 swingman who averaged 20.0 points at Boise State last season.
26. Philadelphia 76ers - Mitchell Robinson, C, USA
A former McDonald's All American who was ruled ineligible for what would have been the lone season of his college career, Mitchell Robinson is an intriguing who doesn't possess much of a track record. In Philadelphia, the 7-footer could serve as Embiid's primary backup and as an insurance policy should the All-Star big man suffer another injury.
27. Boston Celtics - Grayson Allen, G, Duke
Although the Celtics possess plenty of depth at guard, personnel decisions loom on Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier and potentially, Kyrie Irving. Allen might possess a low ceiling, but the polarizing Duke product could make for a serviceable contributor.
28. Golden State Warriors - Gary Trent Jr., F, Duke
Given the state of their roster, the Warriors can afford to simply take the most talented player available. In this case, that player might be Gary Trent Jr., a former 5-star prospect who averaged 14.5 points per game in his lone season at Duke.
29. Brooklyn Nets - Anfernee Simons, G, IMG Academy
With a late first-round pick and few proven prospects left, the upstart Brooklyn Nets take a gamble on 6-foot-3 combo guard Anfernee Simons, a 5-star prospect who exploited a loophole to enter the draft straight out of high school.
30. Atlanta Hawks - Jalen Brunson, G, Villanova
With their third first-round pick, the Hawks pick Jalen Brunson, the reigning National Player of the Year who averaged 18.9 points per game while leading Villanova to its second national title in three years.