2018 NBA Mock Draft: Promises, promises
. C. Texas AM. Robert Williams III. 18. player. 29
Williams is ranked in the lottery nearly anywhere you look, but his path to actually getting selected by a lottery team is tenuous. Let’s take a look:
He’s not going any higher than No. 7, which is where I envision a drop-off after Orlando picks. So that leaves Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Denver and the Clippers if he is indeed going in the lottery. Who jumps out?
Philadelphia certainly could kick the tire on selecting Williams, in need of a backup big man even after exercising the team option on Richaun Holmes’ rookie contract. They would value a defense-minded athlete who sees the floor well. Maybe New York is content reach on Williams if they feel good about his fit alongside Kristaps Porzingis? Neither of Denver and Los Angeles is taking Williams as the centerpiece of a rebuild.
Williams is quietly, for these reasons, a top candidate to fall on draft night. That’s not to say he’s not talented, but with a glut of wings throughout the rest of the first round, Williams could get boxed out of a high selection as a response.
The Spurs are a solid landing spot if that happens. They sorely need a modern center to shore up their interior defense (remember, they’re paying Pau Gasol $16 million) and help their at-rim finishing. Williams could be part of the core that grows around Kawhi Leonard after he signs a super-max extension this offseason.