2018 NBA Mock Draft: The standings are set

There are hazardous stories throughout the league’s history of times where teams got overexcited by un-molded athletes and reached for them in the draft. Even last year, you could say that perhaps D.J. Wilson or Tony Bradley were not worthwhile picks based on their lack of rookie production and the fact that they did not really show a lot during their rookie seasons either.

Could Culver be the next player in that lineage? Sure. He sort of fits that mold: over-achieving college team, egalitarian offense that makes him look both explosive and mysterious, plenty of teams in the late first round that are still rebuilding. The Lakers, Nets or Hawks could all decide Culver is worth the investment at the bottom of the first.

The Nets are so far from competing or offering a competitive trade package that they can afford to reach for the stars. I’ve heard Scottie Pippen comparisons by people who really love Culver, and if you get that guy at No. 29, holy hell.

If not, well, for Brooklyn, it hardly matters. They fetched this pick by taking on DeMarre Carroll’s bad salary, and he became a productive player for them anyway. Why not play it risky, when they will finally have their own pick again next season and have a better chance at drafting a superstar?