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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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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 15: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts in the second half while taking on the Loyola Ramblers in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 15: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts in the second half while taking on the Loyola Ramblers in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Miami Hurricanes. Lonnie Walker IV. 18. player. 29. . Shooting Guard

Age: 19 (12/14/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 192 pounds, 6’10.5″
Slash Line: .415/.346/.750
Season Averages: 27.4 MPG, 11.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 3PM

No matter what transpires with Kawhi Leonard, the San Antonio Spurs need players who can create offense. The system is going to be beautiful for as long as the players buy in, but the Spurs’ lack of shot creators has been a damaging blow in close games.

Thankfully for Gregg Popovich and company, there’s a player who possesses legitimate star potential at No. 18 overall: Lonnie Walker IV.

Walker is one of the few players in this draft class who has the tools to become a genuine go-to scoring option. He’s the Donovan Mitchell of the 2018 NBA Draft, with the explosive athleticism and dynamic skill set to torment teams with his scoring ability.

Walker has also displayed the willingness and ability to lock opponents down on the defensive end of the floor via his length, athleticism, and aggressiveness.

A safer upside comparison for Walker would be Courtney Lee, who has spent 10 seasons playing significant minutes in the NBA. With the Spurs’ system behind him, however, Walker could tap into the upper limits of his star potential.

Walker is one of the top 15 players on my board, but he falls to the Spurs in what would truly be a perfect match for both player and team.

Knicks Note: If the New York Knicks believe Tim Hardaway Jr. can play small forward on a full-time basis, then Walker should be an option at No. 9.

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