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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Impact of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

player. 77. . Point Guard. Kentucky Wildcats. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 12

Age: 19 (7/12/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 180 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .485/.404/.817
Season Averages: 33.7 MPG, 14.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 3PM

Regardless of which position is favored, the Los Angeles Clippers need talent. Los Angeles is a fringe postseason team with multiple lottery picks, which means it has a chance to gamble on upside and develop its investments into rewarding choices.

That all begins with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who could either be the point guard or the shooting guard of the future for Jerry West and Michael Winger’s vision.

Gilgeous-Alexander is a 6’6″ point guard with a 7’0″ wingspan and the quickness to get by the first defender. He utilizes his length, court vision, and finishing ability to keep opposing defenses off-balance as they attempt to predict which course of action he’ll take on the drive.

That’s a valuable asset for any position, but it especially helps a Clippers team that saw its point guards fall victim to a steady stream of injuries in 2017-18.

What makes Gilgeous-Alexander more intriguing than most of the 6’6″ point guards who came before him is that he’s already a solid shooter. He knows his limitations, but he’s also not afraid to let shots fly when defenses give him space.

As a penetrating playmaker who can shoot with range and defend multiple positions, Gilgeous-Alexander is a star in the making who deserves more hype.

Knicks Note: Gilgeous-Alexander went to the New York Knicks in our previous mock draft. It’s a possibility to consider.

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