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Compared to the draft classes that came before and after, the 2018 NBA Draft class was one of the best out there in terms of the players available, with prospects like Luka Doncic and Trae Young. Unfortunately, this abundance of talent doesn't mean no mistakes were made by franchises.
With that in mind, here are the top 5 mistakes that franchises made during the 2018 NBA Draft.
2018 NBA Draft: 5 mistakes that teams wish they could go back and change
For this list, we will be looking at which prospect a franchise chose in the 2018 NBA Draft, and in doing so, how big of a prospect they passed up on in the process. The severity of the mistake will also depend on how well the player chosen developed, relative to the prospect that was ignored by the team.
#5 Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)
While many will argue Trae Young is an NBA superstar in his own right, which is true, the franchise's initial pick, Luka Doncic, far surpasses him.
While they were in close competition with each other, neck and neck even during their rookie year, Luka Doncic has now taken a leap that not a single soul in the NBA community expected. Doncic has become an MVP level player in just his second season. He has also become a stunning leader at 21 years of age, guiding his team to the 7th seed in a very stacked western conference.
While Trae Young is undoubtedly an awe-inspiring player, fans of the Atlanta Hawks wouldn't be blamed for thinking of what could've been, if the franchise hadn't traded Luka Doncic away on the night of the 2018 NBA Draft.
#4 LA Clippers (Jerome Robinson)
While Jerome Robinson has shown the potential to be a star in the league, the LA Clippers passed up on a far more talented prospect in Michael Porter Jr. during the 2018 NBA Draft.
Porter was later picked by the Denver Nuggets, and has slowly risen up the ranks to become a key player in the franchise's rotation. He expected to be part of their young core in the coming years.
Perhaps this whole situation came full circle when Michael Porter Jr. hit one of the most clutch shots of the tournament, with a hand in his face in Game 7 that ultimately sunk the LA Clippers in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
#3 New York Knicks (Kevin Knox)
With a front office in total shambles, what would a list of mistakes be without the New York Knicks?
All jokes aside, though, Kevin Knox is by no means a bad player. He has actually shown the flashes of being the player many expect him to be, but his inconsistency has kept him away from any real recognition. However, despite that, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is undoubtedly the better prospect, and their upsides aren't even close.
Shai has already become one of the best young players in the NBA, with his impressive and consistent performances stealing the hearts of many. He has also grown massively as a player during his season with Chris Paul, and is almost guaranteed to take yet another leap during the upcoming season.
As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to show his brilliance, New York Knicks fans will undoubtedly be wondering why he wasn't chosen by the franchise in the 2018 NBA Draft.
#2 Phoenix Suns (DeAndre Ayton)
With the first-overall-pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns selected DeAndre Ayton, and oh boy, what a mistake this was.
Luka Doncic was still on the board here. The very same prospect from Spain that the franchise passed on is now leading a team as an MVP candidate and an All-Star. On the other end, while DeAndre Ayton is in no way a bust, he has hardly been the best prospect coming out of his draft class.
The prospect of Luka Doncic and Devin Booker on the same team is tantalizing, to say the least. But due to the Phoenix Suns' mistakes in the 2018 NBA Draft, fans may never get to see how dominant this duo could have been.
#1 Marvin Bagley III (Sacramento Kings)
Many have wondered why Marvin Bagley III went second overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, which still had Luka Doncic and Trae Young on the board. The Sacramento Kings may be thinking the same thing.
At his very best, Bagley is a high-end role player who can be the third option while also being a factor on the defensive end of the floor. Unfortunately for the player and the franchise, he has been injured too often to perform at his best more than once in a blue moon. And given that the Kings are now looking for a point forward type player, this decision just can't be looked at as a good one from any angle.
The Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns have committed very similar mistakes. The only difference here is that DeAndre Ayton has finally started to find his feet, and may look like a worthy top selection within the next few years.
But with Marvin Bagley III failing to show even that much, the Sacramento Kings' decision to pick him needs to be the worst mistake made by a franchise in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Guess the Lakers players!
