2018 NBA Mock Draft: Luka Doncic could accelerate the Hawks’ rebuild
As conference play continues across the country, we are re-visiting our mock draft, as freshmen like Trae Young and Marvin Bagley continue to play incredible basketball.
Picks are based upon 538’s CARM-Elo projections, and team needs are taken into consideration, as well as fit.
41. . F. Ohio State. Keita Bates-Diop. 30. player
It’s easy to imagine the Ohio State senior finishing plays out of the Warriors’ motion system in a variety of situations.
Bates-Diop has shot 37 percent from deep in his four-year college career, including a bounce back to elite levels this year at 41 percent after a disappointing and injury-plagued junior season.
Altogether, his scoring profile is incredible. He scores 20 points a night and has put together a sterling .526/.410/.814 shooting split that screams NBA readiness. For the Buckeyes, Bates-Diop sees the ball all the time. He can play both roles in the pick-and-roll, including popping or rolling after setting a screen. In isolation, he can drive or step back, and sees passes within the greater machine of an offense.
In a victory over Michigan State on Jan. 7, the senior scored 32 points on 21 shots despite a matchup against lottery prospect Jaren Jackson Jr. More impressively, his hustle helped contribute to a double-digit halftime lead as much as his scoring did.
In Golden State, Bates-Diop’s versatility and shooting would be a perfect fit.