The Step Back Composite NBA Draft Big Board: The best 30 draft prospects of the 2010s

No. 1 overall pick, Phoenix Suns, 2018

Deandre Ayton has shown the beginnings of the 180 Wiggins pulled from college to NBA, but in a positive sense. Ayton the prospect had a lot going for him, but he was a miserable defender, routinely missing rotations and misdiagnosing plays, and not providing much value outside of blocks from the post. That’s the major limiting factor that keeps him down here, even though outside of that, he was a very polished prospect.

Even beyond Ayton’s absolutely chiseled, Adonis-like frame and freakish agility, he had a skill-set built to succeed as a modern NBA 5 if he could even become an average defender. He was an elite rebounding prospect, averaging 13.8 rebounds per 40 minutes. He also had elite touch around the rim and in the post, and his ability to fly towards the rim in the pick-and-roll despite his size projected him to a top-flight roll man. His passing isn’t elite, but was very good for a player who will be tasked with some creation load, and his shooting was enticing as well. All signs pointed to Ayton reaching the DeMarcus Cousins or late-prime Marc Gasol offensive value at the 5, and that’s an All-Star player, even if he never becomes an elite defender. If his defensive improvements continue, though, he may end up not making Phoenix look silly for picking Ayton over the other 2018 prospects still to come on this list.