2018 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Michael Porter Jr., DeAndre Ayton top the class
By Connor Harr
10. Philadelphia 76ers: Wendell Carter C/PF Duke
Trevor Booker and Amir Johnson are on expiring deals this season. I’m assuming the 76ers are going to look to make a splash in free agency to find some high level players to pair with all of their young talent. So they probably won’t pay either Booker and Johnson and be left with a hole without any bench big men.
That’s why the 76ers take Wendell Carter here over Mikal Bridges who would fit in nicely with Simmons and Embiid. They can target wings like Avery Bradley and Trevor Ariza who immediately have more value for the same role as Bridges. In return Carter should be able to step into the bench unit in Philly right away and provide an impact. He’s almost averaging a double double this year at Duke even playing alongside Marvin Bagley. Also, Carter has shown some rim protection value this year averaging 2.2 blocks in 27.5 minutes.