Player Notes NBA

Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler will exercise his $12.8M player option for the 2018-19 season, per Chris Haynes of ESPN.

What It Means:

The 31-year-old Chandler made the smart decision as free agency this year is not likely to be a spending spree for many teams, especially for players coming off possibly their worst NBA season. He is expected to remain the starter on the wing next season despite the drafting of Michael Porter Jr.

Chandler finished the 2017-18 season with 10.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

Source: Chris Haynes, ESPN

The Denver Nuggets chose Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. with the 14th overall pick of the NBA draft.

What It Means:

Porter Jr. needed back surgery before last season and was limited to only three games in college, leading to his slide after some mocks had him as high as a top-two selection. According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com.. the soon-to-be 20-year-old could even need to take a redshirt season. However, the upside is there, as Porter Jr. is massive on the wing, checking in at 6’10" with a 7-foot wingspan. It could prove to be a pretty valuable consolation prize for a Nuggets team that was the last to be eliminated from playoff contention last season.

Porter played a total of 53 minutes in three games at Missouri.

The Charlotte Hornets chose Michigan State forward Miles Bridges with the 12th pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.

What It Means:

The Hornets traded the 11th pick to the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire the 12th pick and a pair of second-rounders. Bridges was a second-team All-American during his sophomore season and is a strong defender with 6'7" length and a 6'10" wingspan.

Bridges averaged 17.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 3-pointers, and 0.8 blocks in 31.4 minutes per game on 45.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc as a sophomore.

Boston College guard Jerome Robinson has been selected thirteenth by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2018 NBA Draft.

What It Means:

One of the few upperclassmen to be taken in the lottery this year, Robinson averaged a robust 20.7 points as a junior for the Eagles in the 2017-18 season.

Robinson averaged a career-best 40.9% from three last year.

Kentucky Wildcats guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been selected eleventh by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2018 NBA Draft.

What It Means:

The 6'6" Gilgeous-Alexander likely won't start right away. However, there has been trade interest in Kemba Walker, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. If that were to happen, then the rookie's minutes would likely get a big boost.

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a well-rounded 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in his freshman season.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Villanova wing Mikal Bridges with the 10th pick of the NBA Draft.

What It Means:

According to ESPN, 76ers head coach has had his eye on Bridges for a while. The turning 22-year-old helped Villanova bring home the hardware during his third year at school and is someone who can make his shot from the wing and contribute on defense.

Bridges averaged 17.7 points, 5.3 boards, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.3 3-pointers, and 1.1 blocks in 32.1 minutes per game on 51.4 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from deep.

The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Michigan State center Jaren Jackson Jr. with the 4th pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

What It Means:

After initially giving the Grizzlies the cold shoulder, Jackson reportedly warmed to the idea of playing in Memphis. He grew almost six whole inches during his sophomore year in high school and measured in at 6’10" with a 7’5" wingspan at the combine. The talented center has both range and shot-blocking ability, giving him an ideal skill-set for today's game, albeit in a crowded Grizzlies' frontcourt.

Jackson averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 2.3 3-pointers in 21.8 minutes per game on 51.3 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from distance.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have selected Alabama guard Collin Sexton with the 8th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

What It Means:

Sexton stands at 6'2" with a 6'7" wingspan and was productive during his only season in college, so the 19-year-old could prove to be a solid addition to the Cavaliers' backcourt. According to team beat writer Joe Vardon, LeBron's people "like" Sexton, so make of that what you will.

Sexton averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 boards, 3.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 3-pointers in 29.9 minutes per game on 44.7 percent from the field and 33.6 percent on threes.

Kentucky Wildcat forward Kevin Knox has been selected ninth by the New York Knicks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

What It Means:

The Tampa, Florida native should be able to find playing time right away on a Knicks team that seemed to use a different starting lineup every night last season.

Knox averaged 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in his freshman season. He finished the year with a 51% effective field goal percentage and 17.0 PER.

Duke forward Wendell Carter Jr. has been selected by the Chicago Bulls with the seventh overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.

What It Means:

Carter was top-five in defensive rating in the ACC. The Bulls need all the help they can get on defense, as their 109.1 team defensive rating was third worst in the league during the 2017-18 season.

The 6'10", 259-pound Carter averaged a well-balanced 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in his freshman season at Duke.