Valley of the Suns 2018 Mock Draft 1.0

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Luka Doncic,
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 25: Luka Doncic,
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Who likes defense? Thibs likes defense. Put the top defender in the draft anywhere near the T-Wolves and I expect them to jump all over it.

Oh yeah, and Bruce Brown/Bruce Bowen. Close enough.

BOISE, ID – FEBRUARY 14: Guard Chandler Hutchison #15 of the Boise State Broncos attempts to pass against guard Lindsey Drew #14 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during first-half action on February 14, 2018 at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – FEBRUARY 14: Guard Chandler Hutchison #15 of the Boise State Broncos attempts to pass against guard Lindsey Drew #14 of the Nevada Wolf Pack during first-half action on February 14, 2018 at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)

The Nuggets have a great young core with their guards and centers. Where they are older and weak is at the forward spots. Enter the most likely player to pull a Kyle Kuzma. Chandler Hutchison is putting up big numbers and has grown into his frame. He is a late bloomer playing on a team where no one is watching, but he should soar during workouts and becoming the replacement for Wilson Chandler makes sense.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 15: Troy Brown #0 of the Oregon Ducks handles the ball against the USC Trojans during a PAC12 college basketball game at Galen Center on February 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 15: Troy Brown #0 of the Oregon Ducks handles the ball against the USC Trojans during a PAC12 college basketball game at Galen Center on February 15, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

The Blazers are a mess of overpaid talent. How they escape mediocrity will be the question they face going forward. One of the most obvious options is to trade one of their elite guards for a better fit on the team or for future assets. The challenge with that approach is the lack of draft depth at guard. Enter a local product who can play either position and has the elite size that they currently lack. He’s a very young prospect, but one who makes a lot of sense for them here.

MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Sam Waardenburg #21 and Rodney Miller Jr. celebrate with Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Miami Hurricanes after he hit the game winning three pointer to defeat the Boston College Eagles at The Watsco Center on February 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Sam Waardenburg #21 and Rodney Miller Jr. celebrate with Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Miami Hurricanes after he hit the game winning three pointer to defeat the Boston College Eagles at The Watsco Center on February 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

I have a hard time believing the 76ers will keep this pick, but if they do, Walker could be a great find this low. He’s got good size and raw skills, and it’s possible that if he can put together a better end to the season than his start that he will rise higher than 17th overall. Sitting on the end of the Philadelphia bench would likely be a good pathway for him to develop and eventually be a nice role player on a competitive team.

Denzel Valentine hasn’t been what the Bulls thought they were getting. Adding Musa would give Chicago another sniper alongside Lauri to just rain down misery on opposing teams. He’s a young sharp shooter whose defense leaves a lot to be desired. On a growing Bulls team, he should be a fine fit.