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2018 NBA Draft

2017/18 NBA Reverse Standings

March 19th, 2018 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Throughout the 2017/18 NBA season, Hoops Rumors has maintained a feature that allows you to keep an eye on what the 2018 draft order will look like. Our 2017/18 Reverse Standings tool, which lists the NBA’s 30 teams from worst to first, is updated daily to reflect the outcomes of the previous night’s games.

Our Reverse Standings take into account playoff teams in each conference, so they’re essentially a reflection of what 2018’s draft order would look like with no changes to lottery position. In addition to not considering the results of the lottery, our tracker lists teams in random order when they have identical records. At the end of the year, those ties would be broken via random drawings.

Traded first-round picks are included via footnotes. For instance, the note next to Minnesota’s pick says that the Timberwolves will send their pick to the Hawks if it’s not in the top 14. As of today, the Wolves are 18th in the lottery standings, meaning their pick would head to Atlanta, though that could change if their recent slide continues.

Our Reverse Standings tracker can be found at anytime on the right sidebar under “Hoops Rumors Features” on our desktop site, or on the “Features” page in our mobile menu. It’s a great resource not just for monitoring a team’s draft position, but also for keeping an eye on whether or not traded picks with protection will be changing hands in 2018. So be sure to check back often as the regular season winds down!

Note: Mobile users are advised to turn their phones sideways when viewing the Reverse Standings in order to see team records and lottery odds.

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2018 NBA Draft Early Entrants List

March 16th, 2018 at 10:13am CST by Luke Adams

The NCAA rule changes related to early entrants for the NBA draft, initially instituted in 2016, remain in effect this year. Those rule changes will allow underclassmen to “test the waters” before officially committing to the 2018 NBA draft.

NCAA underclassmen have until the end of the day on April 22 to declare for the draft, and can withdraw at any time up until May 30 while maintaining their NCAA eligibility, as long as they don’t hire agents. That means that prospects testing the waters can take part in the NBA draft combine from May 16-20 – if invited – and can work out for individual teams starting in late April. Meanwhile, international early entrants will have until June 11 at 4:00pm CT to decide whether or not to remain in the draft.

A year ago, the NBA’s initial list of early entrants included a record 182 names, but many of those players eventually withdrew from consideration prior to the May and June deadlines. This year, the final draft list will be set after the early entrant withdrawal deadline for international and other non-NCAA players passes on June 11.

In the meantime, we’ll use this post to keep track of reports and announcements on early entrant prospects and their decisions. We’ll archive them all in a running list here, which will be accessible anytime under “Hoops Rumors Features” on the right sidebar of our desktop site, or in the “Features” page found in our mobile menu.

The players below are listed in alphabetical order. If you have any corrections or omissions, please contact us.

Last updated 6-13-18 (10:22am CT)

College Underclassmen:

Remaining in draft:

Prospects returning to school after testing the draft waters:

Prospects who withdrew from draft after NCAA deadline:

Prospects not on NBA’s official early entry list after indicating they’d test the waters:

International Early Entrants:

Remaining in draft:

Withdrew from draft:

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Draft Updates: Ayton, Trier, Okogie, Black, Dixson

March 16th, 2018 at 8:55am CST by Luke Adams

A bracket-busting upset on the first evening of March Madness saw Arizona ousted from this year’s NCAA tournament, as the fourth-seeded Wildcats fell to No. 13 Buffalo. Arizona’s loss accelerated the timeline for top prospect Deandre Ayton to make the leap to the NBA, as he confirmed after the game that – as expected – he’ll enter this year’s draft.

Ayton has a reasonable chance to be the No. 1 pick this June, and a report early in March had already indicated that he’d enter this year’s draft, so his announcement on Thursday came as no surprise. As ESPN’s Linda Cohn tweets, Ayton’s teammate Allonzo Trier also confirmed after Thursday’s loss that he’d be leaving the Wildcats and entering this year’s draft, as previously reported.

Here are more updates on NCAA underclassmen who are eyeing a potential move to the NBA or another professional league:

  • Georgia Tech guard Josh Okogie plans to test the draft waters by declaring without hiring an agent, as Ken Sugiura of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays. Okogie currently ranks as the 44th-best prospect on ESPN’s big board, making him a viable candidate to be drafted. The sophomore averaged 18.2 PPG and 6.3 RPG for the Yellow Jackets this season.
  • Illinois forward Leron Black will forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility and enter the draft, head coach Brad Underwood announced on Thursday. Black, who plans on signing with an agent, led Illinois in PPG (15.3), RPG (5.2), FG% (.547), and 3PT% (.512) during the 2017/18 season.
  • Dikembe Dixson, a redshirt sophomore at UIC, will pursue a professional career, the school announced in a press release. While the announcement doesn’t specify whether or not the young forward will sign with an agent, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be back. Coach Steve McClain said in a statement that the program wishes Dixson “great success in the pursuit of his professional career.” Dixson added: “Though I am leaving the university at this time, it is definitely my intention to finish the work necessary to graduate from UIC someday.”
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And-Ones: T. Young, Cap Room, Two-Way Players

March 15th, 2018 at 2:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this week, ESPN.com examined how far 2018’s top draft prospects might advance in this year’s NCAA tournament. One potential top-10 pick, Oklahoma’s Trae Young, has already been eliminated from March Madness, as his squad fell in overtime to Rhode Island this afternoon. Young didn’t want to discuss his future today, but will likely declare for the NBA draft, as a source confirms to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.

Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • With the trade deadline behind us and the buyout period essentially over as well, Keith Smith of RealGM revisited his salary cap projections for 2018/19, estimating how much cap room each team might have available this summer.
  • The 2018 offseason will mark the first time that players on two-way contracts will reach free agency, as those two-players who signed one-year deals will become eligible to sign new deals. Adam Johnson of 2 Ways & 10 Days recently previewed how free agency will work for those youngsters coming off two-way deals, suggesting that the rules aren’t exactly player-friendly. Teams will have to navigate with caution to ensure they don’t sour players on accepting two-way offers going forward, writes Johnson.
  • Former Hawks shooting guard Lamar Patterson and Italian team Fiat Torino reached an agreement this week to part ways, a source told Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Patterson appeared in 40 total games for Atlanta between 2015 and 2017.
  • In an entertaining piece for HoopsHype, Alex Kennedy spoke to several players who have played in international basketball leagues, relaying some of their funniest, most interesting, and most unbelievable stories about their time spent overseas.
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NCAA Tournament Filled With Draft Prospects

March 11th, 2018 at 8:45pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The NCAA tournament bracket was unveiled on Sunday and NBA draft prospects can enhance their resumes by leading their teams on a deep run. A majority of the projected first-rounders in Jonathan Givony’s current rankings on ESPN.com will be in action during March Madness.

Here’s a look of some of those storylines:

  • No player will be more closely watched than the projected top pick, Arizona freshman center DeAndre Ayton. He has remained eligible despite an FBI probe into his recruitment. The Wildcats, who won the PAC 12 tournament, were seeded No. 4 in the South region and will play Buffalo in the first round. A potential second-round matchup against Kentucky looms. The Wildcats have two players slotted as mid-first-rounders — swingman Kevin Knox (No. 12 overall) and combo guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15).
  • Duke and Michigan State were ranked 1-2 at the start of the season and faced each other in November, with the Blue Devils prevailing. They could see each again in the Sweet Sixteen, a Midwest showdown that would feature a handful of first-round prospects, Duke’s frontcourt duo of Marvin Bagley III (4) and Wendell Carter Jr. (6) and shooting guard Grayson Allen (30), and Michigan State forwards Jaren Jackson Jr. (3) and Miles Bridges (11).
  • How good is Texas center Mohamed Bamba (5)? We could get a better idea if the Longhorns get past Nevada and face rugged Cincinnati, the South’s No. 2 seed which also features small forward Jacob Evans (24).
  • Alabama’s Collin Sexton, currently the top-rated college point guard at No. 8, will try to build off his big SEC tournament performance in the East Region. If the Tide gets past their opener, they’ll likely face top seed Villanova and its No. 10 prospect, small forward Mikal Bridges.
  • Oklahoma point guard Trae Young (9) and his team faltered down the stretch but still got in as the Midwest’s No. 10 seed. If they upset Rhode Island, the Sooners would likely face the Blue Devils in the next round.
  • Texas A&M big man Robert Williams (15) could improve his stock if his team, slotted No. 7 in the West, can get by Big East tournament runner-up Providence and then upset No. 2 seed North Carolina in the next round.
  • Miami (Fla.) shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV (13) might move into the Top 10 if he carries his team, seeded sixth in the South, into the Sweet Sixteen and beyond.
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Michael Porter Jr. To Play In SEC Tournament

March 7th, 2018 at 8:33pm CST by Arthur Hill

Fans and scouts who have waited all season to see Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. in action will get their wish in the SEC Tournament, tweets Paul Finebaum of ESPN. Tigers coach Cuonzo Martin confirmed today that the potential top-five pick in this year’s draft will see some playing time during the tourney.

“He said ‘Coach, I want to help the team,'” Martin said. “… for me it was always Mike’s decision to play or not play.”

Porter won’t start and won’t see a lot of action, Martin added. Porter suffered a back injury in November that required surgery and limited him to just two minutes in the season opener. He was medically cleared for basketball activities February 22. Missouri, the fifth seed in the SEC, will open the tournament Thursday against Georgia or Vanderbilt.

Porter is the sixth selection in the latest mock draft compiled by Jonathan Givony of ESPN, but he could move up the board with a strong showing in the conference and NCAA tournaments.

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Checking In On 2018’s Traded Draft Picks

March 7th, 2018 at 10:21am CST by Luke Adams

There are a number of races worth watching in the NBA down the stretch of the 2017/18 season. Of course, the Western Conference playoff battle is the most dramatic one at the moment, though the race for the top spot in the draft lottery is fascinating in its own right.

The standings are also worth keeping an eye on because they’ll dictate this year’s draft order, and many of the 2018 picks that have been traded include some sort of protection. That means that a team’s spot in the standings will determine whether or not those picks actually changes hands this spring.

At the moment, there are 25 traded draft picks projected to change hands, while only four will be protected. All 11 traded first-round picks are currently on track to convey this year.

It’s possible that the results of the draft lottery will change that — for instance, if the Pistons miss the playoffs and then get some tremendous luck in the lottery, they could hang onto their top-four protected pick, rather than sending it to the Clippers. For the most part though, it doesn’t look like protections will have a major impact on this year’s traded picks.

With the help of our lists of traded first- and second-round picks, as well as our reverse standings, here are the picks currently projected to change hands for the 2018 draft:

First round:

  1. Nets‘ pick to Cavaliers (unprotected)
    • Note: Pick currently tied for 3rd/4th/5th.
  2. Lakers‘ pick to Sixers (to Celtics if it falls between 2-5; otherwise, to Philadelphia)
  3. Pistons‘ pick to Clippers (top-4 protected)
  4. Heat‘s pick to Suns (top-7 protected)
  5. Bucks‘ pick to Suns (top-10 protected and 17-30 protected)
  6. Thunder‘s pick to Timberwolves (top-14 protected)
  7. Timberwolves‘ pick to Hawks (top-14 protected)
  8. Cavaliers‘ pick to Lakers (top-3 protected)
    • Note: Pick currently tied for 24th/25th.
  9. Pelicans‘ pick to Bulls (top-5 protected)
    • Note: Pick currently tied for 24th/25th.
  10. Raptors‘ pick to Nets (top-14 protected)
  11. Rockets‘ pick to Hawks (top-3 protected)

Second round:

  1. Nets‘ pick to Sixers (Philadelphia to receive more favorable of Nets’ and Cavs’ second-round picks)
    • Note: Pick currently tied for 33rd/34th/35th.
  2. Bulls‘ pick to Knicks (unprotected)
  3. Knicks‘ pick to Sixers (Philadelphia to receive more favorable of Knicks’ and Clippers’ second-round picks)
  4. Hornets‘ pick to Magic (Orlando to receive second-most favorable of Grizzlies’, Hornets’, and Heat’s second-round picks)
  5. Lakers‘ pick to Nets (Brooklyn to receive less favorable of Magic’s and Lakers’ second-round picks)
  6. Heat‘s pick to Rockets (Houston to receive least favorable of Grizzlies’, Hornets’, and Heat’s second-round picks)
  7. Bucks‘ pick to Nets (to Brooklyn if it falls between 31-47; otherwise, to Suns)
  8. Clippers‘ pick to Nuggets (Denver to receive less favorable of Knicks’ and Clippers’ second-round picks)
  9. Nuggets‘ pick to Lakers (unprotected)
  10. Cavaliers‘ pick to Hornets (Charlotte to receive less favorable of Nets’ and Cavs’ second-round picks)
    • Note: Pick currently tied for 54th/55th.
  11. Trail Blazers‘ pick to Mavericks (Dallas to receive less favorable of Kings’ and Trail Blazers’ second-round picks)
  12. Celtics‘ pick to Thunder (top-55 protected)
  13. Raptors‘ pick to Suns (unprotected)
  14. Warriors‘ pick to Nuggets (unprotected)
  15. Rockets‘ pick to Sixers (unprotected)

The picks listed below are not projected to change hands in this year’s draft. The first three selections on this list won’t roll over to 2019 — those obligations will simply be extinguished. But the Nets would get another shot at the Pacers‘ pick in 2019, when it will once again have 45-60 protection.

Second round:

  1. Suns‘ pick to Grizzlies (top-55 protected)
  2. Mavericks‘ pick to Bucks (top-55 protected)
  3. Hawks‘ pick to Clippers (top-55 protected)
  4. Pacers‘ pick to Nets (45-60 protected)
    • Note: Pick currently tied for 52nd/53rd.

Here are a few other traded pick details worth noting, though they’re unlikely to impact this year’s draft order:

  • The Grizzlies will receive the most favorable of the Grizzlies’, Hornets’, and Heat’s second-round picks. That will likely be their own pick, which is currently 31st.
  • The Magic can swap second-round picks with the Lakers if L.A.’s pick is more favorable. Currently, the Magic’s pick is tied for 36th/37th, while the Lakers’ pick is 41st.
  • The Kings can swap second-round picks with the Trail Blazers if Portland’s pick is more favorable. Currently, the Kings’ pick is tied for 36th/37th, while the Blazers’ pick is 56th.
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Draft Notes: NBL, One-And-Dones, Top Prospects

March 6th, 2018 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

With commissioner Adam Silver exploring ways to adjust the one-and-done rules that prevent high-schoolers from making the leap directly to the NBA, Australia’s professional basketball league appears ready to capitalize on an opening.

According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Australian National Basketball League has formalized a rule that will give teams an extra roster spot next season for NBA-draft-eligible players. A player signed using that roster slot will be guaranteed approximately $78K USD, funded directly by the NBL, sources tell Givony.

Previously, Australian clubs were limited to three import players, and many teams were reluctant to dedicate one of those spots to an unproven 18-year-old. However, this fourth import slot, funded by the league, should give the NBL a better chance to attract players who want to forgo the NCAA before entering the draft, as Terrance Ferguson did a year ago.

“The NBL is considered one of the best leagues in the world and this initiative will give these up and coming stars an opportunity to create a name for themselves on the way to being drafted into the NBA,” NBL CEO Jeremy Loeliger told Givony. “As Terrance Ferguson demonstrated, there are a number of players who for whatever reason won’t be part of the U.S. college system but have NBA aspirations and are good enough to be drafted. This will give them the chance to develop in a world class league in the NBL and push their claims for the NBA.”

Here are a few more draft-related notes:

  • Warriors head coach Steve Kerr weighed in on the one-and-done debate, arguing that the NCAA should allow early entrants who go undrafted to return to their respective schools. “Why not? What’s the harm?” Kerr said, per ESPN. “We talk about amateurism and all this stuff, but if you’re truly trying to do what’s right for the kid, and the kid declares for the draft and doesn’t get drafted, you know what? Welcome him back. Do something good for the kids.”
  • In an Insider-only article for ESPN.com, Givony and Mike Schmitz single out some prospects that have the most at stake during the NCAA’s conference tournament season. While the Givony and Schmitz name several players ranked further down on ESPN’s big board, big-name prospects like Mohamed Bamba, Trae Young, and Michael Porter Jr. headline the list of youngsters worth watching.
  • Sean Deveney of The Sporting News spoke to one league scout to get his take on 10 college prospects who have big months of March ahead of them. The scout made some interesting comments on Devonte’ Graham (Kansas), Moritz Wagner (Michigan), and several other prospects, noting that he believes Arizona’s Deandre Ayton is the favorite to be picked first overall in June. “He just dominates the middle so completely,” the scout said of Ayton. “I don’t think there is much that can happen that will knock him out of the top spot. He is not a sure thing in that spot, but he is ahead of everyone else.”
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Arizona Stars To Enter NBA Draft

March 4th, 2018 at 10:54am CST by Arthur Hill

Deandre Ayton, Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier will leave Arizona early and declare for the NBA draft, according to Daniel Rapaport of Sports Illustrated. Coach Sean Miller informed reporters of their intentions Saturday, and all three players participated in the Wildcats’ senior night ceremonies.

The turmoil surrounding the Arizona program may have figured into their decisions, although Ayton was a lock to leave as an expected top five pick and Alkins and Trier are both potential first-rounders. Miller’s future as Wildcats coach is in jeopardy in the wake of reports that the FBI has recordings of him discussing a $100K payment to bring Ayton to Arizona. Miller strongly denied any wrongdoing in a press conference this week.

Ayton is projected second overall in the latest mock draft compiled by Jonathan Givony of ESPN. A seven-footer with game-changing abilities on both ends of the court, the freshman is averaging 19.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per night.

Alkins, a sophomore swingman, is slotted as the 41st pick by Givony. He missed the first nine games of the season with a broken right foot, but appears fully recovered, averaging 13.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 19 contests.

Trier, a junior shooting guard, is comes in at pick 45 on Givony’s list. He was recently reinstated by the NCAA after being declared ineligible for testing positive for a banned substance. Trier is the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer at 18.9 points per game.

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And-Ones: NCAA, G League, Porter, World Cup

February 26th, 2018 at 12:32pm CST by Luke Adams

If Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy feels strongly about something, he rarely holds back. He showed that on Sunday when he weighed in on NCAA basketball, which is currently the subject of an FBI investigation.

According to an ESPN report, Van Gundy called the NCAA “one of the worst organizations” in sports, suggesting that “they certainly don’t care about the athlete(s).” He also railed against the NBA’s and NCAA’s one-and-done rule, which he notes isn’t consistent with the way other sports leagues operate.

“People that were against [players] coming out [of high school] made a lot of excuses, but I think a lot of it was racist. I’ve never heard anybody go up in arms about [minor league baseball or hockey],” Van Gundy said to reporters. “They are not making big money, and they’re white kids primarily and nobody has a problem.

“But all of a sudden you’ve got a black kid that wants to come out of high school and make millions,” Van Gundy continued. “That’s a bad decision, but bypassing college to go play for $800 a month in minor league baseball? That’s a fine decision? What the hell is going on?”

Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:

  • It’s time for elite high school prospects to start consider playing in the NBA G League instead of heading to the NCAA, says Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. While playing in the G League isn’t as “glamorous” as playing for a program like Duke or Kentucky, and the standard $25K salary is modest, players would be able to legally accept money from agents and shoe companies before being drafted, Spears notes. Players would also get a chance to play in NBA systems with NBA rules, and would face a higher level of competition in the NBAGL than in an average NCAA game.
  • More than 10 high-ranking NBA executives told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman that they’d advise top prospect Michael Porter Jr. to play for Missouri down the stretch, assuming he feels ready to return. Viewed as a probable lottery pick in the 2018 draft, Porter has been cleared for full contact after recovering from back surgery, but isn’t a lock to return to the court this season. “If he’s healthy, he’s not going to slide down too much even if he doesn’t play well,” one GM said. “Everyone’s seen him. And if he plays well, I think he could move all the way up to the second spot in the draft.”
  • Twelve international teams have already secured their spots in the second round of qualifying for the 2019 Basketball World Cup, per an AP report (via USA Today). The United States can assure itself of a spot in the second round by defeating Puerto Rico on Monday.
  • Former Nets and Suns forward Cory Jefferson, who was playing in Italy earlier this season, has returned stateside and caught on with the Texas Legends, the Mavericks‘ G League affiliate, as Nicola Lupo of Sportando details.
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