2018 NBA Mock Draft: The lottery is done and the order is set

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 17: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates a three point basket against the Rhode Island Rams during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander /

13. player. 77. . G. Kentucky. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

By shedding Blake Griffin’s aging body and his massive salary, the Clippers aimed themselves in a new direction that better fits the larger direction of the NBA. Their priority in this draft should be do double down on versatility, and few players suit that style better than Gilgeous-Alexander.

The freshman isn’t a bucket-getter or sharpshooter, but he will be an immediate glue guy for any team that picks him. His best skill is knowing how to get to the spot on the court that will create the biggest advantage for his team. A stutter step, a crossover, a bump and suddenly you’re right where Gilgeous-Alexander wants you. The pull up is coming, for sure, until the pass leaves his hands and suddenly it’s a corner 3 you never realized was open.

There’s truly no one on this Los Angeles roster that is untouchable. Tobias Harris’ breakout finally arrived last season, but he’s not the type of star you build around, if he’s a star at all. He will likely stick around through the summer, and his versatility allows players like Gilgeous-Alexander to mesh more easily. In an NBA where the best teams can switch screens and make plays up and down the roster, a team can never be too fluid.

It’s easy to build a roster like that around Gilgeous-Alexander.

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