2018 NBA Mock Draft: Knicks go big with Mo Bamba

Ayton isn’t falling past No. 2 in our mock any time soon. Though I firmly believe Luka Doncic to be the better prospect, Ayton is in the running for the first overall pick and it would be a huge upset if he fell past the second spot, regardless of who picks there.

Re-watching Ayton against Alabama in December, I couldn’t help but think about the common comparison to Andre Drummond that gets thrown out for Ayton when it comes to his overall value. They may not end up similar players, with Drummond having carved out a niche as a rebounder, shot-blocker, finisher and secondary initiator that Ayton may never fill. But when you think about the way Drummond’s value comes entirely on one end of the floor as an interior defender, the comparison makes sense.

Ayton could easily end up a one-way player, someone capable of getting buckets who hurts you in a variety of other areas. His defensive concerns and low block percentage are almost folkloric at this point. Against Alabama, it was mostly a problem of effort. Maybe that makes you more optimistic, maybe less. But it’s certainly a possibility Ayton is merely above-average on offense and neutral or negative on defense. Does that sound like the No. 1 pick in the draft?

The Grizzlies would almost have to take the plunge with Ayton if they ended up in the two-hole. But they would be clammy making that call.