The 2018 NBA Draft was filled with an abundance of elite talent, from the Dallas Mavericks trading up to select future All-NBA guard Luka Doncic with the No. 3 pick to the Los Angeles Clippers trading up to get future 2025 NBA MVP and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 11. However, many teams missed out on these elite level talents, selecting the worst whiffs of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Five Worst Whiffs in the 2018 NBA Draft
Marvin Bagley III (2nd overall)

The Sacramento Kings were on the clock with the No. 2 overall pick, selecting Duke big man Marvin Bagley III. In his freshman season with the Blue Devils, Bagley III earned consensus first team All-American honors, winning ACC Player of the Year. He averaged 21.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as an elite and efficient inside scorer (64.7%). The Kings had just selected De’Aaron Fox with the No. 5 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft while also being fresh off of trading DeMarcus Cousins to New Orleans midway through the 2016-17 season. Sacramento aimed to create a pairing they failed to establish when building around Cousins.

However, Bagley III couldn’t translate his dominating freshman performance at Duke onto an NBA court. Injuries, the inability to stretch the floor, and significant defensive intangibles stunted his development with the Kings. He would make an All-Rookie team, averaging 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in his first season, but he hasn’t reached that scoring mark since. Sacramento quickly understood they missed on a gem by selecting Bagley III over the former EuroLeague superstar in Doncic.

Even with respectable career averages of 13.5 points and 7.4 rebounds in Sacramento, there’s no question Bagley is one of the worst whiffs in 2018. Over the years, Bagley III has become an offensive spark off the bench when given consistent minutes. However, his inability to improve defensively has proved costly in his development as a reliable defensive presence.

Mo Bamba (6th overall)

After the Hawks traded down to No. 5 to select Oklahoma guard Trae Young, the next Big 12 prospect would fly off the board. With the No. 6 overall pick, the Orlando Magic selected Texas center Mo Bamba. In his lone season with the Longhorns, Bamba averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game. This early success earned him All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Defensive team honors.

The Magic were searching for a defensive center in the rotation behind Nikola Vucevic, but Bamba’s lack of true offensive flow would limit his overall impact for Orlando. After the Magic traded Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls for Wendell Carter Jr., the former 2018 No. 7 overall pick, Bamba served as Orlando’s starting center for the 2021-22 season. In a 71-game sample, he would average 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, developing into a near-40% three-point shooter.

However, he wouldn’t earn another starting opportunity again, failing to mold into an ideal fit next to Carter Jr. in the front court. Ultimately, Bamba’s development in Orlando would equate to averages of 7.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in five seasons. After being dealt to the Lakers during the 2022-23 season, he has become a serviceable stretch big for several teams.

Kevin Knox (9th overall)

The New York Knicks looked for redemption after their 2017 NBA Draft fumble, gunning for another upside play by selecting Kentucky forward Kevin Knox with the No. 9 overall pick. In his only season with the Wildcats, Knox would win 2018 SEC Rookie of the Year, averaging 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. With Michael Porter Jr. slipping due to injury, the Knicks targeted Knox, hoping to develop his raw athletic traits.

However, New York immediately found Knox to be one of the worst whiffs of the 2018 NBA Draft. He would average 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, but his inefficiency would turn into a major problem. In his four-year tenure with the Knicks, Knox wouldn’t finish a season shooting over 40% from the field. Since averaging nearly 30 minutes and 10-plus shots per game in his rookie season, he hasn’t sniffed that amount of opportunity, playing for five teams in the past four seasons.

Jerome Robinson (13th overall)

The Los Angeles Clippers were active on draft night. Not only did they trade up for Gilgeous-Alexander in the lottery, but they also selected Boston College guard Jerome Robinson with the No. 13 overall pick. In his junior season with the Eagles, Robinson averaged 20.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on much-improved efficiency, earning him 2018 All-ACC honors.

However, he could never find NBA success in Los Angeles, starting his career with a rough rookie season. Robinson failed to bring his college production to the pros as his efficiency plummeted. The Clippers would trade Robinson in the middle of his sophomore campaign, and his career would eventually end after just four seasons.

Zhaire Smith (16th overall)

Earlier in the draft, the Philadelphia 76ers used the No. 10 pick on Villanova wing Mikal Bridges, who seemed like the perfect fit. However, the 76ers decided to trade down to No. 16 with the Phoenix Suns, selecting Texas Tech guard Zhaire Smith. In his freshman season with the Red Raiders, Smith earned Big 12 All-Defense honors while averaging 11.3 points, five rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Smith possessed the defensive potential and athleticism to be a valuable contributor in Philadelphia.

However, due to a health scare, Smith only played 13 career regular games for the 76ers. In the six games as a rookie, he displayed impressive athletic traits, averaging 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on high-level long ball efficiency. Smith’s career would be cut short after two seasons though as injury setbacks would prevent him from maximizing his talent.

Looking back on the trade, Bridges would’ve been the perfect selection for the 76ers to help complement Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Philadelphia was looking to bounce back after their whiff at the top of the 2017 NBA Draft. Instead, their selection of Smith quickly became one of the worst whiffs of 2018.

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