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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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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 25: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE – MARCH 25: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

211. . Power Forward. Duke Blue Devils. Marvin Bagley III. 2. player

Age: 19 (3/14/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 234 pounds, 7’0.5″
Slash Line: .614/.397/.627
Season Averages: 33.9 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 4.0 ORPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.7 3PM

The Memphis Grizzlies remain invested in criminally underrated point guard Mike Conley and All-NBA center Marc Gasol. It’s certainly a fair stance, as Conley and Gasol are responsible for the most rewarding era in franchise history.

If the Grizzlies are going to give Conley and Gasol a chance to pursue an elusive championship—and survive their potential departures—Marvin Bagley III should be the pick.

Memphis routinely finds quality role players, but what the organization has long lacked is a truly reliable scoring option. Conley and Gasol can score at solid levels, Tyreke Evans can do a bit of everything, and Zach Randolph was a nightly 20 and 10, but there was something missing.

When the time came for a player to attack a set defense and get a difficult bucket, the Grizzlies simply lacked a player who can do so from beyond the low block.

Bagley may be the best rebounder in this draft class, which is certainly a solid starting point for his appeal. What makes him special is the fact that he’s a versatile scorer who can go to the post, space the floor, or take his man off the bounce from 24 feet.

Bagley has a small forward’s offensive skill set and a power forward’s frame. If the New York Knicks have a chance to draft him, Scott Perry will make it happen.

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