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The 2018 NBA Draft is still a few hours away but all indications are that the Atlanta Hawks will be the unofficial “start” of the process with the No. 3 overall pick. In short, multiple sources are now reporting that, in addition to the long-awaited coronation of Arizona center Deandre Ayton to the Phoenix Suns at No. 1, the Sacramento Kings have decided to select Duke’s Marvin Bagley III at No. 2 overall.
Sources: Phoenix (Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton) and Sacramento (Duke’s Marvin Bagley III) have locked in on the NBA Draft’s Nos. 1 and 2 picks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2018
With Deandre Ayton widely expected to go No. 1 overall to Phoenix, league sources say Sacramento has lasered in on Marvin Bagley with the No. 2 pick in tonight’s NBA Draft
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 21, 2018
While this does not come as a surprise, it does provide some clarity on what the Hawks will be working with when they are on the clock on Thursday evening.
Atlanta has been tied to Luka Doncic as the most likely selection but, in addition, whispers exist that the Hawks are taking trade offers and might be doing so all the way until the last second before the pick is made. Obviously, a trade would open the door to many additional scenarios but, even without a deal, Doncic is joined by Michigan State big man Jaren Jackson Jr., Texas big man Mo Bamba and Oklahoma point guard Trae Young as choices rumored to be in at least some consideration.
Travis Schlenk appears to have quite a bit of power league-wide at the moment and this should be an entertaining evening in many ways.
Stay tuned.