FRED KERBER’S FINAL NBA MOCK DRAFT

It’s the night every NBA hopeful dreams of, the night NBA executives long for, the night NBA writers can’t wait to end: the NBA draft. So that brings us to The Post’s last mock draft for the 2018 event, which begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at Barclays Center. It’s an exercise in guesswork in which every general manager will be stunned that so-and-so was available as the entire organization was certain so-and-so would go higher. Here is one way the first round might go — and remember, trade possibilities are always present. 1. PHOENIX: DEANDRE AYTON Arizona, C, 7-1, 260 Suns management will doubtlessly be shocked Ayton lasted all the way to No. 1. The super-freak athlete has been pegged No. 1 since the U.S. flag had 22 stars. No reason to change now. And after his workout in Phoenix, he proclaimed he would go first. 2. SACRAMENTO: MARVIN BAGLEY III Duke, PF, 6-11, 235 The ACC Player of the Year is another super athlete and a terrific opportunistic offensive presence. He scores inside, can step out a bit on his shot. Defensively, he’s not Bill Russell, but that will develop. 3. ATLANTA: JAREN JACKSON JR. Michigan State, PF, 6-11, 240 There is a growing movement that Euroleague star Luka Doncic may land here, but all previous indicators say Jackson and his shot-blocking athleticism that made him the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year will prevail. 4. MEMPHIS: LUKA DONCIC Slovenia, PG/SG, 6-8, 225 There have been whispers about personal habits that cause concern, but the do-a-lot-of-everything Real Madrid star has shown overly impressive versatility at multiple spots. He seems like a great complement to Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. 5. DALLAS: MOHAMED BAMBA Texas, C, 7-0, 225 The Mavericks would love for Doncic to slip to them, so they can see what a player who can score looks like. Next in line is Bamba. He might not be the offensive stud the Mavs fantasize about, but he’s too good to pass. 6. ORLANDO: TRAE YOUNG Oklahoma, PG, 6-2, 180 There was a time when the Magic had shooters. But then meteors wiped out life as we know it. So Orlando is undergoing another rebuild and hopes the nation’s top scorer (27.4 ppg) and passer (8.7 apg) can put the ball in the ocean. 7. CHICAGO: WENDELL CARTER JR. Duke, PF/C, 6-10, 260 He has size, versatility and some range on his jumper. He can team immediately with Lauri Markkanen and give Chicago a considerably intelligent, skilled frontcourt. In Chicago’s perfect world, Bamba falls here. 8. CLEVELAND: MICHAEL PORTER JR. Missouri, SF, 6-10, 215 The owner referenced an “intriguing” prospect when PG Collin Sexton worked out, but Porter is simply too good of a talent to let pass. He was seen as a possible No. 1-overall pick when he left high school, but his back problems that limited him to three collegiate games caused the drop. Reports say he is healthy, but concern is natural. 9. KNICKS: MIKAL BRIDGES Villanova, SF, 6-7, 210 All along, this guy seemed to make the most sense. There were reports Porter could get to them. They wanted a point guard. Kevin Knox had the greatest workout since Jane Fonda’s video. But the do-it-all (except create his shot) wing seems like a perfect fit for a team that needs it all. 10. PHILADELPHIA: KEVIN KNOX Kentucky, SF/PF, 6-9, 215 Sixers may never talk to the Knicks again. Mikal Bridges seems to be the perfect fit, mainly because he defends. Miles Bridges is possible here, but the Sixers may turn to Knox, 18, the SEC Freshman of the Year with the high upside. 11. CHARLOTTE: SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER Kentucky, PG, 6-6, 180 The big factor here: 6-6. Collin Sexton is adored everywhere, but the Hornets want size at the point as a backup to or possible replacement for Kemba Walker. He handles, scores, passes and defends. 12. L.A. CLIPPERS: COLLIN SEXTON Alabama, PG, 6-2, 185 The gutsy disciple of Avery Johnson averaged 19.2 ppg while showing a calm and poise in the big moment plus an impressive ability to get in the lane. Also is a good ball-pressure defender. But what some call fearless, others label reckless. 13. L.A. CLIPPERS: LONNIE WALKER IV Miami, SG, 6-4, 195 Some already are calling him this year’s Donovan Mitchell, a guy who rose late and will prove NBA-ready beyond expectations. Walker is still developing and refining his game, but he has explosive athleticism. 14. DENVER: MILES BRIDGES Michigan State, SF/PF, 6-6, 220 Could easily go higher. A versatile sort who has spot-up 3 range. A tweener may be more of an undersized four. Needs a more aggressive posture offensively, but has a strong work ethic for improvement. 15. WASHINGTON: ROBERT WILLIAMS Texas A&M, C, 6-9, 240 Whenever you hear “motivation” under the category of concerns, there should be, well, concern. Lots of potential, though. 16. PHOENIX: ZHAIRE SMITH Texas Tech, SG, 6-4, 200 With Ayton already in the fold, Suns grab another athletic freak with massive upside. 17. MILWAUKEE: JEROME ROBINSON Boston College, SG/PG, 6-4, 190 Combo guard has risen big time on draft boards for ability to play on and off the ball and to score. 18. SAN ANTONIO: TROY BROWN Oregon, SF, 6-7, 220 Spurs not used to picking this high, get Swiss Army Knife guy with quality defense. 19. ATLANTA: AARON HOLIDAY UCLA, PG, 6-0, 180 Smart, fundamentally sound, rotation-type player with two NBA brothers. 20. MINNESOTA: DONTE DIVINCENZO Villanova, SG, 6-5, 200 See? Tom Thibodeau isn’t only about defense. Final Four Most Outstanding Player is more than just a shooter. He also defends. 21. UTAH: KEVIN HUERTER Maryland, SG, 6-7, 195 Another fundamentally sound sort who shoots and is a very adept, skilled passer. 22. CHICAGO: ELIE OKOBO France, PG, 6-2, 180 A lefty with a defensive bent. A project who wants to play in the U.S. and not be a Euro stash 23. INDIANA: KEITA BATES-DIOP Ohio State, SF/PF, 6-8, 225 The Big Ten Player of the Year is versatile, long, can shoot and averaged 19.8 ppg. 24. PORTLAND: JOSH OKOGIE Georgia Tech, SG/SF, 6-4, 210 A solid athlete and high-energy type, the 19-year-old is a sound perimeter defender, too. 25. L.A. LAKERS: DE’ANTHONY MELTON USC, SG/PG, 6-3, 195 A solid perimeter defender with impressive length, he is probably better off the ball. 26. PHILADELPHIA: DZANAN MUSA Bosnia and Herzegovina, SF, 6-9, 195 At 18, he may stay in Europe for a year with his good size, versatility and range. 27. BOSTON: KHYRI THOMAS Creighton, SG, 6-3, 200 Outstanding perimeter defender with long arms. Good shot, but size a problem. 28. GOLDEN STATE: GRAYSON ALLEN Duke, SG, 6-4, 200 Oh goody, another shooter for the Warriors. 29. NETS: CHANDLER HUTCHISON Boise State, SG, 6-7, 200 Reports said he had a guarantee of a first-round pick, some thought Bulls, others said Nets. Good all-around game and can shoot. 30. ATLANTA: JACOB EVANS Cincinnati, SG/SF, 6-5, 200 Good solid defender. As a consistent shooter, he’s a solid defender.