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The Collective Charlotte Hornets Bloggers 2018 Mock Draft

By Noah Purser

Luka Doncic #7 of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 4 between Real Madrid v Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at Wizink Center on April 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Luka Doncic #7 of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Play Offs Game 4 between Real Madrid v Panathinaikos Superfoods Athens at Wizink Center on April 27, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by COOLMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 04: De’Anthony Melton #22 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against the Washington Huskies during a Pac12 conference college basketball game at Galen Center on March 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 04: De’Anthony Melton #22 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against the Washington Huskies during a Pac12 conference college basketball game at Galen Center on March 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

player. 100. SG/SF. Boise State University. Chandler Hutchinson. 23. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

After starting in just eight games his sophomore year, Chandler Hutchinson has elevated his game to another level just two years later. Hutchinson improved both his Defensive and Offensive Rating each year he played at Boise State. As a senior, he finished with a 111 Offensive Rating and 93 Defensive Rating per 100 possessions.

Hutchinson provides a replacement for Glenn Robinson III, or can immediately step in as a spot-up shooter next to Victor Oladipo on the wing. Depending on how long they think they can rely on Lance Stephenson and Bojan Bogdanovic, Hutchinson looks like a great option for Indiana at 23.

player. University of Southern California. DeAnthony Melton. 24. 34. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. SG

In my opinion, De’Anthony Melton could be the steal of the first-round. He offers an explosive first step and has a solid mid-range game to complement it. Melton was not eligible to play for the Trojans this year, as he faced an NCAA scandal with the FBI.

Melton did a little bit of everything in his freshman season, though, averaging 8 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds. If Melton can grow into a dead-on shooter and improve his defense, he could easily be a future starter on an NBA roster.

Pick Analysis. SF/PF. Ohio State University. Scouting Report. Keita Bates-Diop. 25. player. 20

Keita Bates-Diop is a 6’7″ combo forward, capable of posting up smaller defenders or blowing by bigger ones. The Big Ten Player of the Year will get looks from teams all over the NBA Draft board, as he averaged a remarkable 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks for the Buckeyes this year.

Keita will have to show improved mechanics on his jumper and more athletic ability before lottery teams entertain his selection.

Pick Analysis. PG. Shake Milton. 93. Scouting Report. Southern Methodist University. 26. player

Though the Philidelphia 76ers certainly won’t want to convey any lost faith with Markelle Fultz, an insurance plane of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Shake Milton will ensure the 76ers end up with a capable point guard to take some pressure off of Ben Simmons.

Shake Milton is another tall, lanky guard who shot 43% from three-point range in his three seasons at SMU. Milton has improved almost all statistical areas of his game, finishing with averages of 18 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds per game.