The Collective Charlotte Hornets Bloggers 2018 Mock Draft
By Noah Purser
With the third pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks select Marvin Bagley III from Duke University.
The Atlanta Hawks finished 25th in the NBA in points per game. Adding Marvin Bagley to pair alongside John Collins will bolster their scoring instantly. Bagley offers a wide variety of skills that complement Collins very well.
Bagley was a dominant force in the Atlantic Coast Conference this year, averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds per game. He was the conference’s player of the year and was a nightmare for any college defense, showcasing the ability to handle the ball and bang in the post.
Though his hypothetical frontcourt partner, John Collins, is not the most prolific shooter (just 34%), Bagley shot three times the amount of three’s and converted on 40% of his attempts. In his one year as a Blue Devil, Bagley posted a 127.7 Offensive Rating per 100 possessions and had a 64 True Shooting Percentage.
As he adapts to the physicality of NBA big men, Marvin Bagley will struggle on the defensive end. However, his offensive potential is too great to pass on.
Other Player(s) Receiving Votes: Mohamed Bamba (1 vote)