2018 NBA Mock Draft: Luka Doncic is still No. 1 in post-lottery edition
By Connor Harr
Pick Analysis. PF/SF. Ohio State. Keita Bates-Diop. player. Scouting Report. 14. . 73
Even though I am high on Keita Bates-Diop, this is still a little bit of a reach. The Denver Nuggets desperately need some defensive help and Bates-Diop is one of the best two-way prospects still available. He could provide the Nuggets with an immediate bench scoring punch and should thrive playing alongside Nikola Jokic.
Bates-Diop had the breakout season all of Columbus was finally waiting for. He averaged 19.8 points per game while shooting 48 percent from the floor. Even though he stands at only 6’7″, his elite length makes him a viable small-ball 4 option.
He needs to put on some weight, but Bates-Diop is a smooth scorer that should benefit from a reduced role and NBA spacing. He does not get enough credit defensively as a prospect either. Even though he’s likely never going to be multi-positional, he should have no problem guarding 4s and possibly excel if he bulks up.