2018 NBA Mock Draft: Enter the madness

Gafford is the second big man in the teens to get chosen, falling just behind Robinson but still representing a solid replacement for De’Andre Jordan in Los Angeles.

First, a prediction: Gafford will win a dunk contest before his career is over. He flies as high and gets as creative in-flight as any big man in the league. As FanRag Sports’ Zach Harper noted in his piece on Gafford, the big man ranks in the 85th percentile or higher as a cutter, in transition, and on the roll. He is especially impactful in transition, where you’re likely to see one or two of those huge, twirling dunks after Gafford gets out above the break.

His 11.2 offensive rebound percentage is also near the top of the league, and it’s the best way for him to get an easy shot that does not include completely leaping over another human. Gafford can do all of what young, athletic bigs must do to earn a place in the league if they cannot shoot.

For the Clippers, who have reformulated as a younger, smaller, egalitarian squad, Gafford could come in and really just take Jordan’s role. It’s up the team to decide if that’s still what they want out of the center spot.