2018 NBA Mock Draft: Who’s moving at the top?

Even with the swell of interest in wings like Kevin Huerter and Josh Okogie in recent weeks, I still believe there is room for Alkins in the first round. The Nets have always seemed like a good match as a team whose dedication to developing 3-and-D talent has not been equaled by its ability to acquire such talent.

Alkins measured at just over 217 lbs. at the combine, which puts him in the company of Justin Jackson and Miles Bridges in terms of bigger wing players (though those two are more combo forwards than 2-3 wings) who still move well. Alkins well need to turn that size into a weapon, and his bruising style bodes well for that. It’s easy to imagine Alkins carving out a niche in the league as a hustle player who steals offensive rebounds, makes open shots and wreaks hell on opposing scorers.

I couldn’t help but think of Alkins watching P.J. Tucker in this year’s Western Conference Finals. Tucker, 6-6 and playing center against versatile bigs like Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, made life miserable for Golden State by making them expend more energy than they’re used to as they’ve finessed teams throughout the last four seasons. If there’s a role for Tucker in this league, as undersized and unskilled as he may seem at first glance, then Alkins can succeed.

The negatives on Alkins are his ball-handling and shot selection. The more positions he leapfrogs, the less that stuff matters. And on a bad team like Brooklyn, none of it really matters, yet.