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NBA Draft: The Complete and Final 2018 Mock Draft

By Trey Flynn

MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 13: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the Liga Endesa game between Real Madrid and Kirolbet Baskonia at Wizink Center on June 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 13: Luka Doncic, #7 guard of Real Madrid during the Liga Endesa game between Real Madrid and Kirolbet Baskonia at Wizink Center on June 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dribbles up court during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Villanova Wildcats at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zaire Smith
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders dribbles up court during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Villanova Wildcats at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zaire Smith /

Pick Analysis. Texas Tech. Zhaire Smith. 14. Scouting Report. G. player. 73

Height: 6’3”, Weight: 200, Age: 18
Statistics: 11.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 55.6% FG

The Denver Nuggets are known for not knowing what to do with Gary Harris and Jamal Murray, hopefully grabbing another guard that essentially does the same thing as them can make this even more confusing.

The real reason the Nuggets need Smith is that Will Barton is finally leaving for better horizons, as well as Wilson Chandler, so the Denver bench needs immediate help this season.

Zhaire Smith will most likely be placed as a point guard that will play off the ball on an offense that lets every share the rock – which is perfect for his type of play. Nikola Jokic demands a fluid offense and that is pretty much what Texas Tech runs with Smith at the helm.

From this video, you can see that Smith possesses insane athleticism which mirrors a lot of Will Barton – but what separates Smith from a lot of athletic guards is his ability to show off on both sides of the court.

There is a Zach LaVine somewhere in Zhaire Smith, and hopefully the Denver Nuggets can pull that out of him, maybe even creating a better player. If not, just being a big help off the bench on a rookie contract would help most teams around the Nuggets spot, but especially Denver as they hope to get to the playoffs for good over the next few seasons.

Time will tell.