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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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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts in the second half against the Loyola Ramblers during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Moritz Wagner #13 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts in the second half against the Loyola Ramblers during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

125. . Center. Michigan Wolverines. Moritz Wagner. 30. player

Age: 20 (4/26/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 245 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .528/.394/.694
Season Averages: 27.6 MPG, 14.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.6 3PM

The Atlanta Hawks selected perimeter players with each of their first two selections in the 2018 NBA Draft. With Luka Doncic thriving as a playmaker and Lonnie Walker IV flashing potential as an explosive scoring threat, the Hawks must now look to the interior.

Moritz Wagner may not be the perfect player for Atlanta, but he’s a skilled big man with a strong work ethic and a motor that should at least make him a high-quality backup.

Wagner is a workhorse who has garnered comparisons to New York Knicks center Enes Kanter in that capacity. Wagner isn’t quite as productive of a rebounder as Kanter, but it’s worth noting that he ranked No. 46 in the country in defensive rebound percentage.

That could be appealing to the Hawks, but what makes him a truly enticing player is the versatile nature in which he can score.

Wagner is an efficient three-point shooter who shoots at a high volume and has no trouble converting with a hand in his face. That alone will appeal to Mike Budenholzer, who appreciates the versatility of a big man who can shoot and go to the post.

One could argue that there are prospects with higher ceilings than Wagner, but he has the skill level and toughness to be a legitimate NBA player.

Must Read: The foundation has already been laid

If the 2018 NBA Draft plays out in this manner, then the New York Knicks would walk away as one of the true winners of the event.

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