2018 NBA Draft Big Board 6.0: Explaining the top 30

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TULSA, OK – MARCH 17: Shake Milton #1 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs looks on in the first half against the USC Trojans during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Rankings 16-24

Tier 5 is the largest group. Since the draft is so deep, players 16-24 are the last players I’m confident about becoming NBA rotation players. These players were selected because each of these prospects owns a trait in their game that stands out.

Guys like Shake Milton and Landry Shamet project as combo guards that can play a bench role. Milton and Shamet likely have the same duties as being secondary ball handlers and knockdown shooters mostly thriving off ball though.

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Wings such as Jacob Evans and Khyri Thomas project as three and d rotation players. Evans is more of a complex 3 and D player that should be able to create for teammates attacking closeouts. While Khyri Thomas is more of just your typical catch and shoot guy that defends.

Big men such as Robert Williams and Jontay Porter both have drastically different skill sets. Williams projects as a rim protector defensively. He’s more of a question mark offensively, but is projected to be a pick and roll, rim runner, and lob catcher type of player.

Jontay Porter is a huge question mark athletically. However, that athleticsm is made up by his youth. Along with his developing jump shot and high basketball IQ. Porter is the best passing big man in this class. He could read a defense and become very effective in the dribble handoff game.

Next we have wings prospects Chandler Hutchison and Bruce Brown. Both are on NBA radars for opposite reasons. Hutchison is viewed as a off ball offensive player. Showing a more consistent jumpshot this season, Chandler is now seen as a guy that can attack closeouts and finish at the rim with the defense having to play up on his shot.

Bruce Brown is viewed as a defensive stopper. He’s long, strong, and athletic and has the potential to guard multiple positions. He should be able to guard at least three positions in the NBA. Brown has struggled this season at Miami, but his defensive ability should keep him on a NBA teams bench for a while.

Lastly, Jalen Brunson who is probably the favorite to win the Wooden award this year. Brunson’s competitiveness, combined with his maturity, and high basketball IQ just scream backup NBA Point Guard. He has the lowest ceiling out of anyone in this tier which is why he’s ranked so low in it. However, Brunson might have the highest floor.

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Rankings 25-35

Like previously stated, I really like the depth in this draft and the prospects in this range could easily find NBA homes in the right fit and system. However, until I see more from them I don’t want to project them as long term rotation players. All of these players are ranked based on how confident I feel about them possibly moving up into the next tier.