I waited a little later than usual to finalize this 2017 NBA Mock Draft mainly due to all the uncertainty as to which team would be picking first overall. Now that we know that the 76ers traded up to get their guy Markelle Fultz, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the first round unfolds. Ball is no lock to go No. 2 to the Lakers, so that domino may set the tone for the rest of the draft once it falls. I predict a lot of trades this year and a lot of teams acquiring draft picks knowing that they will be a few years out from competing with the Warriors and whatever team LeBron ends up on. Without further ado…
1. Philadelphia 76ers – Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
Fultz was long considered the front-runner to be the first pick in the draft, but in somewhat of a surprising twist, the Celtics trade the pick so that the young 76ers can get their point guard of the future with less than a week before the draft. Fultz, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid have enough talent to make an impact in the East, and will form a scary potential Big 3 for years to come.
2. L.A. Lakers – Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
There have been numerous reports saying that the Lakers are unimpressed with Ball’s workouts, and his outspoken father is another factor you have to consider when taking a prospect this high. There is a real possibility that these recent factors have scared team brass and they may elect to pass on Ball in favor of De’Aaron Fox or Josh Jackson. My gut says that they stick with Ball. There is no way that Magic Johnson, himself an oversized point guard with unbelievable court vision and extraordinary passing ability, will pass on Lonzo. He might not be the next Magic, but he will bring Showtime basketball back to the Lakers.
3. Boston Celtics – Josh Jackson, SF/PF, Kansas
The Celtics make the smart move and pick up more assets to use for an off season where they are targeting Jazz All-Star Gordon Hayward. The Celtics were too deep in the backcourt to take another point guard like Fultz or Fox, so they will get another versatile forward who can play defense in Kansas’ Josh Jackson.
4. Phoenix Suns – De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
Fox is talented enough to be the best point guard in this draft, which just goes to show how deep this class is at the point guard position. It is no secret that the Suns love guards from Kentucky, and Fox may be one of the best when it is all said and done. He is extremely fast and athletic like John Wall, and had the defensive tenacity and competitiveness to shut down Lonzo Ball in their March Madness matchup. LaVar if you’re reading this, you’ve been warned.
5. Sacramento Kings – Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
The Kings have been known throughout the draft process to be coveting De’Aaron Fox, so there is a chance they move up from this pick by packaging it with their 10th overall pick to get their guy. If that scenario doesn’t play out, I see the Kings front office playing it safe and drafting Tatum out of Duke. With the departure of Rudy Gay, the Kings will lean on Tatum who can score smoothly in the post and from the perimeter, and has all the tools to blossom into a future All-Star if the Kings can avoid messing up his development.
6. Orlando Magic – Dennis Smith, PG, N.C. State
The Magic already have Elfrid Payton at the point guard position, but the rest of their guards are very underwhelming to say the least. Smith will bring athleticism, scoring and electricity to the team as he is one of the most explosive guards to come out of the ACC in the last couple years. The team will find a way to put Payton and Smith on the floor together to form a young and dynamic nucleus with Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State
Isaac has too much upside for the T-Wolves to pass on him here, although they could elect to go with Lauri Markkannen and his outside shooting ability to pair with KAT in the interior. Isaac has the potential to be a poor man’s Kevin Durant due to his long and lanky frame and high basketball IQ. If the T-Wolves keep drafting impact players at this rate, they could be contending in the West much sooner than expected.
8. New York Knicks – Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
All reports coming out of New York are that they are committed to running the triangle offense this season, something Phil Jackson is extremely adamant about implementing due to it’s focus on ball movement and spacing. Monk’s game is very well-suited for the triangle as he can space the floor with his shooting ability and has a knack for moving without the ball and getting open. I predict that Monk will become a fan favorite in the Big Apple as something of a John Starks 2.0 — Spike Lee would be proud.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
The simple reason for this pick is that the current Maverick stars can’t play forever, so Mark Cuban needs to begin planning for the post-Dirk era which starts here. Markkanen may not end up having the Hall of Fame career that Nowitzki has enjoyed, but you can easily plug him into their current system without missing a beat. The two are both 7-footers with elite outside shooting ability and Markkanen will develop much quicker under Dirk’s watch.
10. Sacramento Kings – Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga
The Kings always seem to mess up their lottery picks somehow, and this pick will surely receive its fair share of criticism since the team already has their share of young bigs on their roster. Something tells me that Vlade Divac and owner Vivek will fall in love with his ability to stretch the floor and add more size and versatility to their front court.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Bam Adebayo, C, Kentucky
Adebayo can run the floor with ease and finishes lob dunks a la JaVale McGee did in the Warriors championship run. Combine that with a competitiveness and willingness to mix it up that you can only get with a Kentucky big man pedigree, Bam will be an impact player early on.
12. Detroit Pistons – Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville
Mitchell is an undersized but explosive shooting guard who is not afraid to go through contact to get a basket. His high-motor and amazing dunking ability will serve him well in the Motor City.
13. Denver Nuggets – John Collins, PF, Wake Forest
Collins put together a tremendous freshman campaign in Wake Forest which showcased his ability to score the ball from inside but also featured an improved outside shot. He is an interior presence that the defense will have to account for. I see him as a Tristan Thompson type player with a better offensive skillset.
14. Miami Heat – Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
He may be the best prospect out of Europe by far. Ntiilikina possesses cat-quick reflexes and a high basketball IQ which will allow him to earn minutes right away in the NBA. He has natural feel for the game and combined with his excellent size for the position and he may turn out to be what scouts projected for Utah’s Dante Exum a couple years ago.
15. Portland Trail Blazers – Justin Patton, C, Creighton
Patton is the type of big man who beats the other ones down the floor with ease. He is very fluid and finishes well around the basket. Patton could be used as insurance in case the Blazers lose Meyers Leonard or Festus Ezeli this year.
16. Chicago Bulls – Jarrett Allen, C, Texas
Allen reminds me a lot of DeAndre Jordan but with less athleticism. That is no knock on Allen as he is still one of the better big man prospects coming to the NBA this season. If he can put more weight on his frame there is a chance he can earn minutes sooner than expected.
17. Milwaukee Bucks – Harry Giles, SF, Duke
Giles was pegged as a superstar in high school, but ACL injuries have derailed his once can’t-miss career. He wanted to prove he could play against high-level ACC competition this year and got better as the season went along. If he can convince one team to ignore the red flags, it would be the Bucks, who are known to roll the dice on players with upside. Giles also has that Duke connection with Jabari Parker already in place to ease his transition to the league.
18. Indiana Pacers – T.J. Leaf, PF, UCLA
Leaf looks like a classic Hoosier forward, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide to go with the skilled Bruin from sunny California. His game isn’t flashy, but he is a dependable scorer as a stretch four and can rebound effectively.
19. Atlanta Hawks – Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina
Jackson has a proven knack for hitting clutch outside shots and running the floor with the best of them. His experience playing under Roy Williams and winning a National Championship last season will only help him early in his career.
20. Portland Trail Blazers – DJ Wilson, PF, Michigan
Wilson is a great leak out player and gets lots of his baskets beating his defender down the court with easy layups and dunks. He plays with a lot of passion and dunks the ball with aggression at least once a game. He is entering the NBA after his junior season so his ceiling may not be as high as some of the other prospects NBA teams could draft here.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Terrance Ferguson, SG, Australia
Ferguson is the shooter with athleticism to match what Russell Westbrook needs beside him. He is still raw at only 19 years of age, but Ferguson can blossom into a star with the help of Mr. Triple Double.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Kyle Kuzma, PF, Utah
He projects as a stretch four with above average skills for the position. Kuza was the key player for his Utah team and showed the ability to score from a variety of ways which led to him being a 1st Team All-Pac 12 player this season.
23. Toronto Raptors – Ivan Rabb, PF, California
Rabb could turn out to be a lite-version of former Raptor superstar Chris Bosh. They are both lanky combo forwards who can shoot from the perimeter and handle their own in the post. If Rabb adds some more strength to his lanky frame, he may be able to develop into an All-Star caliber player like Bosh.
24. Utah Jazz – Luke Kennard, SG/SF, Duke
Kennard has been the best shooter in college basketball for the past two seasons, but showed an all-around game this year that will translate to the next level. If the Jazz lose Gordon Hayward to the Celtics, they could elect to tab Kennard to fill in his place for the time being.
25. Orlando Magic – Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Germany
Hartenstein is a young European player who the Magic can develop overseas and bring him on the team when he is ready. Once he adds strength and plays against elite European competition, Hartenstein will be a beast when he returns stateside.
26. Portland Trail Blazers – Jordan Bell, SF, Oregon
Bell has the Nike and Oregon connection working for him, plus his stellar career as the Ducks best player the last two season will justify his selection here.
27. Brooklyn Nets – Josh Hart, SG, Villanova
Nova is known for their tough East Coast guards, and Hart will bring the same swagger to the Nets backcourt. He can score from multiple sets and never backs down to his competition. If Jeremy Lin departs, look for Hart to fill in the void.
28. L.A. Lakers – Ike Anigbogu, PF, UCLA
The Lakers, presuming they select Ball with their first pick, will want him to come in to the organization with someone he is familiar with. That player could easily be Anigbogu, who was a frequent recipient of many of Balls no look passes and lobs at UCLA.
29. San Antonio Spurs – Nigel Williams-Goss, PG, Gonzaga
Williams-Goss was the motor and heart of a Gonzaga team that was ranked No. 1 for most of the season. Tony Parker can’t play forever, and Patty Mills may look to greener pastures, so it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Pop goes with a steady and dependable playmaker like Williams-Goss.
30. Utah Jazz – Frank Jackson, PG, Duke
Frank Jackson probably made a mistake by coming out after his average freshman year, but he will soon show that he will make a name for himself in this league. Jackson is an explosive athlete with a similar game to Derrick Rose, but only time will tell if he can match up with the best of today’s elite NBA point guards.