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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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MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 06: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid in action during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 30 game between Real Madrid and Brose Bamberg at Wizink Arena on April 6, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Emilio Cobos/EB via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 06: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid in action during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 30 game between Real Madrid and Brose Bamberg at Wizink Arena on April 6, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Emilio Cobos/EB via Getty Images) /

Shooting Guard. Real Madrid. Luka Doncic. 2. player. 211.

Age: 19 (2/28/1999)
Height & Weight: 6’8″ & 218 pounds
Slash Line: .464/.306/.806
Season Averages: 24.6 MPG, 15.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.0 ORPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.5 3PM

The Memphis Grizzlies have proven in the past that they aren’t afraid to invest in international players. In fact, Memphis has dipped into the Liga ACB talent pool with, arguably, the two greatest players in franchise history: Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol.

The Grizzlies have a chance to emulate that success by finding the perimeter star they’ve long been searching for: Luka Doncic.

Doncic could easily play point guard in the modern era, but the Grizzlies have a chance to change the culture with this selection. With Doncic and Mike Conley sharing a backcourt, the Grizzlies would suddenly have two shot creators who can work both with and without the ball.

In many ways, the Doncic and Conley pairing in Memphis could work in a similar manner to the Doncic and Goran Dragic duo that helped Slovenia win the gold medal at EuroBasket 2018.

Doncic’s defensive prowess could be questioned, but as a 6’8″ wing, he should at least be a solid team defender. Offensively, he has the handle, range on his jump shot, court vision, and aggressiveness to be the glue to the entire offensive system.

Doncic can play virtually every role imaginable on offense, but when it’s all said and done, it’s his fearless scoring and facilitating approach that could help him prosper at an All-NBA level.

Knicks Note: The New York Knicks sent scouts to evaluate Doncic in Europe. That should prove their interest.

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