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2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round following National Championship Game

By Maxwell Ogden

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) looks to drive to the basket during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) looks to drive to the basket during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Aaron Holiday. 16. player. 66. . Point Guard. UCLA Bruins

Age: 21 (9/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’1″, 185 pounds, 6’6″
Slash Line: .461/.429/.828
Season Averages: 37.7 MPG, 20.3 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 2.7 3PM

If the Phoenix Suns end up with the No. 15 and No. 16 overall selections, there would be no excuse for not trading up for another top-10 draft pick. That package alone should at least bring a team in the top 10 of the 2018 NBA Draft to the table.

With trades excluded from this mock draft, however, the Suns acknowledge the need to create stability at a position of continued uncertainty.

Elfrid Payton may be playing well, but the Suns can’t base the future on what’s been a 19-game tenure. Even if Payton does excel, doing the necessary homework on Aaron Holiday and adding him to the roster would be a wise decision.

Holiday has legitimate two-way potential and an outstanding three-point shot, which creates the potential for value both on the court and in a potential trade if Payton wins the starter’s job.

Holiday shot at least 41.1 percent from beyond the arc in each of his three seasons at UCLA. He developed into a quality facilitator in 2017-18, as well as an improved finisher at the rim and an adequate defender who better utilized his 6’6″ wingspan as a junior.

With Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss competing for minutes at the 4, the Suns’ third first-round draft pick should be focused on the position they don’t address at No. 15.

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