16 Wins A Ring Staff Mock Draft
The 16 Wins A Ring staff makes their first-round picks in a mock of this year’s draft.
Note: This mock draft was conducted prior to the wild week of NBA trades, so some draft picks may not reflect the picks teams currently hold.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (Christopher Kline) — Markelle Fultz
The Sixers have the rare opportunity to add both the best player and the best fit available to kick off the draft. Standing at 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, Fultz’s physical tools, when combined with his impressive polish on the offensive end, make him a virtual no-brainer for a Philadelphia team that has been in desperate need of perimeter help for quite some time.
Fultz’s game is an ideal complement to Ben Simmons on the perimeter, where he can work off of him as a shooter while boasting the playmaking chops needed to help carry some of that load when needed. He also brings instant credibility to a Sixers backcourt that has been a persisting weakness in the rotation, while balancing out Joel Embiid’s offensive threat with an equally-as-dynamic option on the outside.
Likely the best guard prospect since Kyrie Irving — and perhaps better than Kyrie in a vacuum — Fultz projects to transition his game well in today’s league. He excels as a scorer at all three levels, where his shifty ball-handling and penchant for misdirection allow him to generate space and blow by opponents with ease. He has some of the same body control that makes James Harden such a virtuoso around the rim, while his herky-jerky ball-handling makes containing him in isolation a difficult task.
Fultz will also have a less strenuous offensive load in Philadelphia than he did in Washington, giving him more energy to focus toward the defensive end. His length allows him to bother shots across the spectrum, while his ability to blow up passing lanes and run down the occasional transition block is all within the realm of possibility when he’s engaged.
The Sixers take a two-way guard with superstar potential and continue to trust the process.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (Christian Rivas) — Lonzo Ball
While concerns about his defense and ability to create his own shot are legitimate, Lonzo Ball still has a real chance to blossom into a once-in-a-lifetime superstar. That’s not something the Lakers can’t afford to pass on.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Ball can play either guard position, but his ability to make plays at an elite level will have him spending most — if not at all — his time playing point guard. He broke UCLA’s record for most assists in a single season and broke the 30-year-old Pac-12 freshman assist record set by Gary Payton in 1987.
However, if the Lakers decide to play him off the ball, he would be more than capable of doing so. During his time at UCLA, Ball shot above 40 percent from behind the arc, while attempting 5.4 3-pointers per game. His unorthodox shooting stroke will take some getting used to, but if his shots are falling, it won’t matter. During his lone season at UCLA, he showed he can make them from deep.
Ball, upon arrival, is going to make his teammates better. For a team that has won just 91 games over the last four seasons, that’s good news. Worst-case scenario, he’s a bigger, better shooting Ricky Rubio that struggles on the defensive end.
Best-case scenario? He’s Penny Hardaway on steroids.
3. Boston Celtics (Danny Emerman) — Josh Jackson
With all that Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge has said, smart money is on the Celtics holding onto this pick. “Trader Danny” has no limits, but he said, “the player we’ll take at [No.] 3 is the same player we would have taken at [No.] 1.”
Whether that player is Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, Lonzo Ball, Dennis Smith Jr, or another prospect, the Celtics are getting their guy.
Jackson, the Kansas University product, is built to be a LeBron-stopper. His physical tools — 6-foot-8, 200-pound build, 7-foot wingspan, jumps out of the building — are his most appealing qualities. He has the potential to be an elite defender in the NBA, not unlike Jaylen Brown, who the Celtics selected with the third overall pick last year. His jumper is a huge question mark, but raw talents have developed jump shots in the NBA time and time again. He has one of the highest ceilings in the draft, but if he fails to improve his jimmy, the Celtics will regret trading that first overall spot.
4. Phoenix Suns (Paul Headley) — De’Aaron Fox
De’Aaron Fox might have the highest upside of any player in the 2017 NBA Draft. The Kentucky one-and-done guard is an explosive, hyper-athletic beast. Competitive to the highest degree, Fox could be an incredible complement to the smooth-shooting Devin Booker.
Booker isn’t a great defender at the moment, and probably tops out as average at best. Fox should be a great defender at the NBA level. He and Tyler Ulis would be a nightmare point guard rotation to go against for 48 minutes a game. How many point guard combos could push the ball as hard and as often as those two could hypothetically?
Fox’s shooting is a concern, but not so much so that it should affect his draft status. The Suns have shooting at basically every other position, so that should offset it a little. If the Suns were to get out running every night, the team’s fast break could be glorious with all the athletes the team has. In the half-court, Fox/Marquese Chriss pick-and-rolls could be deadly, surrounded by Booker and Dragan Bender (assuming the big man can find his stroke again in his second season).
Fox is also such a supreme athlete that he should be able to get by guys, even if they play five feet off him and sag into the paint. Overall, the fit is good. Fox has too much upside to ignore, and even his floor (very good defender/athlete) is hardly a nightmare scenario. A team can never have too many former wildcats; Fox is another welcome addition.
5. Sacramento Kings (Tom West) — Dennis Smith Jr.
The Kings have Buddy Hield, revitalized with improved play in Sacramento, but they still need a point guard to join him. With Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and, unfortunately, De’Aaron Fox (who should be the Kings’ top target) off the board, it makes sense to take a shot with the hyper-athletic, 6-foot-3 Dennis Smith Jr. at point guard instead.
Next to Hield’s strength as a shooter, the Kings need another ball-handler, someone who can penetrate with far more ease to help collapse defenses, create easy looks around the rim for guys like Willie Cauley-Stein, and free up shooters. Smith, despite being no Fultz or Ball, can do that.
Smith’s a tremendous athlete, possessing ridiculous bounce, a strong frame to help him through contact and a lightning-quick first step to burst toward the basket. He averaged 18.1 points per game in his one season at N.C. State, often beating opponents with his explosiveness in either half-court situations or as a terror in transition. Similarly to his acrobatic finishes around the rim, Smith’s springy steps help him create space off the dribble with his pull-ups, completing a talented offensive backcourt for Sacramento.
With the ability to fly above the rim in space, there’ll be plenty more highlights for the Kings’ offense, and someone who can make plays inside like Smith is a suitable complement to Hield’s perimeter strengths. Buddy still doesn’t do a great job of creating off the dribble, getting to the rim or drawing fouls. Again, fighting through contact and getting free throw opportunities is something Smith can do, with 6.3 attempts per game.
Sure, there are some issues with Smith. His 3-point (35.9) and free throw (71.5) percentages aren’t particularly reassuring for NBA 3-point success early on, and his decision-making needs some refining. Plus, he only has a 6-foot-3 wingspan, and despite showing some solid spells of on-ball defense and anticipation for steals, his defensive consistency needs some work. Nevertheless, with De’Aaron Fox no longer available, the Kings can make a high-upside pick with Smith.
6. Orlando Magic (Cory Hutson) — Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum is an excellent get at pick No. 6. In fact, this might be the best-case scenario for the Magic come draft day: Tatum may be the third or fourth-best player in the draft.
Some of the first things I look for when I start doing draft research are certain statistical benchmarks, things which carry over well into the NBA, and Tatum checks a lot of those boxes. He’s an excellent free throw shooter, which is both good in its own right, but also suggests he’ll continue to improve from long range, where he was fairly middling in college. He also averaged over a steal and a block per game in 33 minutes, and players with strong steal and block averages tend to maintain that production as pros.
More specifically, for the Magic, Tatum represents a chance to diversify their offense with the player they’ve needed most throughout the rebuild, someone who creates shots off the dribble. Orlando has tried to meet that need with the likes of Aaron Gordon and Jeff Green, but both were quite poor in that role, especially working out of the small forward position. While Tatum can’t be expected to do much as a rookie, he could grow into that role and meet a significant need, both in terms of skillset and position.
One underrated skill which may prove useful: his extremely efficient post-up game. Orlando ran a lot of post-ups through Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic last season, but neither fared very well, especially Vucevic, who took a serious step back from his previous years in that department. While running a lot of post-ups for forwards is probably ill-advised in the modern NBA, it can be a useful tool in specific match-ups, and Gordon has yet to demonstrate proficiency working from the block.
All in all, Tatum offers a lot of upside at a position of need for the Magic. They could do much worse than picking him, should he fall to sixth.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (Rich Condon) — Jonathan Isaac
Every so often, there’s a player available that fits a team and what that team needs perfectly. That’s the match between Jonathan Isaac and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Isaac is a 6-foot-11 hybrid forward out of Florida State University. He has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach, which are ridiculous measurements for his position. At 19 years old, Isaac is still on the raw side, but he’s got among the most upside in the entire 2017 class. He’s the perfect type of tweener; big and long enough to shoot over smaller defenders, and fast enough to blow past bigger defenders.
Isaac’s calling card coming out of college, however, is his defensive versatility. Isaac grew six inches late in high school and grew up playing on the wing. With the added height and length, he’s already shown he can protect the rim. He averaged 1.7 steals and 2.2 blocks per 40 minutes at FSU. Isaac will have no trouble guarding any position 1–4, and he could conceivably turn into a small-ball five down the line if he adds the requisite muscle to his lanky frame. Despite his lanky frame, Isaac is a competitor, and he especially fights hard on the glass. He has a great motor and crashes the glass on both sides.
Due to Florida State’s egalitarian offensive scheme, Isaac’s offensive numbers all come from a small sample size, but while he needs time to develop on the offensive side of the ball, there’s already a lot to like. He’s already good at the rim. He’s got the foundations of a 3-point shot, having shot around 35 percent from deep last season. He takes long strides and can be a force in transition. He plays unselfishly and is willing to make the extra pass. He already has exquisite footwork, highlighted by an exceptional jab step to create space for his jumper. His turnaround game is developing.
Despite the potential being there, Isaac needs to develop a scorer’s mentality to really blossom offensively. He was extremely streaky throughout the season. His confidence wavers wildly on offense. The two biggest problems for Isaac, however, are his body weight hasn’t caught up to his growth spurt yet, as he weighs just 205 pounds; and he also has asthma and can be winded easily.
Still, the idea of marrying a versatile defender with Coach Thibs is an exciting proposition. Being a defensive-minded athlete, Isaac will help Karl Anthony-Towns elevate his game, as Isaac can help Towns on the defensive end, allowing the big man to focus just that much more on offense. With Wiggins, Towns and LaVine already in Minnesota, Isaac will be given time to develop and fine tune his offensive repertoire. He’ll likely be a reserve player to start his career, as he packs on muscle to withstand the physicality of the NBA.
8. New York Knicks (Rich Condon) — Malik Monk
It’s been a turbulent year for Phil Jackson and the New York Triangles. After making several unbelievably silly comments about his star player Carmelo Anthony, Jackson also had some baffling things to say about franchise cornerstone Kristaps Porzingis. The ultimate in stupidity came Tuesday, when Jackson stated the Knicks had been listening to offers for the Latvian, further damaging an already frayed relationship.
Yet, despite all this, the most baffling part of Jackson’s tenure in New York has been his insistence on running the triangle offense, which Jackson debuted around 30 years ago in Chicago. Though completely outdated, Jackson is committed; he even has prospects allegedly doing 45 to 90 minutes of triangle-based work during their workouts with the team before the draft.
Enter Malik Monk, a flame-throwing scorer from the University of Kentucky. Monk averaged a little under 20 points per game in his lone year at Kentucky, behind 45 percent from the field and just under 40 percent from deep. Monk is an explosive athlete, complete with a few highlight reel dunks already on his resume. He’s comfortable shooting from just about any range, and does not shy away in the clutch.
He’s undersized for a shooting guard at 6-foot-3, but his ball-handling and IQ make him problematic to run the show. On the less glamorous side of the ball, the Knicks will have to hide Monk on other teams’ point guard or on their worst offensive guard, as he’s not a good defender consistently. His athleticism allows him to cover ground quickly, and he did show flashes of promise at times.
However, coming into the league, Monk is going to make his living, and carve a role for himself as a scoring threat. Remember, arguably the most important position in the triangle is the two guard, as evidenced by Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Monk obviously isn’t either of those guys, but as is tradition with Kentucky players, there’s more to Monk than he showed during his one year under Coach Calipari.
9. Dallas Mavericks (Lance Roberson) — Frank Ntilikina
The Dallas Mavericks have five guards in their rotation, not including Ntilikina. The depth chart is lacking in the defensive skill, and the “pure point” departments. With Ntilikina onboard, the Mavericks can speed up the inevitable, which is to get Devin Harris or J.J. Barea off the roster. This is no slight toward the two veteran guards in any manner, but the team is heading in another direction, with the focus being young talent development.
Ntilikina had an impressive showing in the 2016 FIBA U18 European Championships last December. During the tournament, he was ill with flu-like symptoms. It was serious, to the point where blood tests were taken in between the third and fourth game. Even with the obvious discomfort he was in, he averaged 22.7 points, 6.7 assists, 3.2 steals, 1.7 blocks. He shot an outstanding percentage from deep at 58.6 percent. In the championship game, he scored 31 points, which led his French team to win the tournament.
The 6-foot-5 guard has been scouted thoroughly by the likes of DraftExpress. His ability to make switches on defense is one of the higher praises you will read about. He can make seamless switches in the backcourt. Showcasing that kind of defensive ability at the usually raw age of 18 says a lot about his basketball IQ.
DraftExpress lists his wingspan at 7 feet, and has him standing at 6-foot-5. These features help make up for his lack of explosiveness as a guard. He averaged five turnovers per 40 minutes at the U18 Tournament, showing he obviously needs to improve his ball-handling skills.
The Mavericks haven’t had a point guard this size since Jason Kidd. Rick Carlisle will be able to experiment with his lineup due to the fact Ntikilina can shoot and has shown the ability to guard multiple positions. Ntilikina has potential, and Carlisle is the coach who can help him meet it.
10. Sacramento Kings (Tom West) — Lauri Markkanen
DeMarcus Cousins is gone, and young bigs Willie Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere have a chance to shine. Lauri Markkanen can accompany them on this Boogie-free roster.
First off, he does have flaws that aren’t attractive for any big man in today’s NBA. He’s a weak rebounder and has issues defensively; not possessing the kind of explosion, timing or length to be a rim protector or have any real upside guarding the paint.
However, there’s a ton to like about Markkanen’s offense, which could be a fantastic addition to the Kings as he grows, especially in lineups next to the defensive-minded, agile support of Cauley-Stein or Labissiere. Markkanen was highly efficient in his freshman season at Arizona, recording 15.6 points per game with 54.5 percent shooting on 2-point field goal attempts and an impressive 42.3 percent stroke on his threes.
He has silky shot mechanics with a quick release and excelled as a spot-up threat, knowing where to be and how to move effectively off the ball. If a 7-footer can shoot and move well, that’s always a valuable skill. More so than just catch-and-shoot and pick-and-pop opportunities, it’s Markkanen’s ability (and potential) as someone who can comfortably attack closeouts and score with a face-up game that’s so intriguing. He can do a lot as a fairly agile 7-footer.
If Markkanen can be Ryan Anderson-esque in terms of the spacing he provides and be a more capable creator with his dribble and attacks inside, he could become a highly valuable offensive player in today’s NBA.
11. Charlotte Hornets (Max Seng) — Luke Kennard
With the Dwight Howard trade, it suddenly looks much more appealing for the Hornets to go with Kennard, one of the best shooters in the 2017 draft class. Two seasons ago, when the Hornets went 48–34 and had their best record since 1997–98, 3-point shooting was an integral part of that. Charlotte ranked in the top five in both 3-point makes and attempts in 2015–16. That weapon dulled last season, as the Hornets sank to the middle of the pack in the 3-point shot, a place they became quite familiar with across all stat lines for a myriad of reasons.
Kennard changes that, giving the Hornets a bonafide knockdown shooter, something Marco Belinelli was supposed to be, but never materialized to in Buzz City. The attention Kennard commands would space the floor even more for (wait for it) Kemba Walker-D12 pick-and-rolls that have the potential to be one of the better 1–5 combinations in the entire association.
With Head Coach Steve Clifford, it will always be defense-first, and that approach has produced some of the best seasons in franchise history. But, with the acquisition of Howard, who remains if nothing else a legitimate rim protector despite his deterioration, it does tilt the scales in a direction to the offensive side of the ball.
Nicolas Batum does a lot of good things, but he isn’t a qualified second option on a playoff team. If Kennard develops enough with his playmaking and pick-and-roll reads to become 2b to Batum’s 2a, the Hornets just may be able to return to one of the most unselfish teams in the association.
Kennard’s defensive weaknesses are obvious — both physical and mental — but Charlotte remains one of the better team defense schemes in the association.
Despite a down year last year, Clifford’s teams have consistently been in the top 10 in defensive rating, points per 100 possessions and other metrics that better illustrate the consistency the Hornets have had on that side of the court. If Kennard could learn how to be a passable NBA defender like fellow Duke sharpshooter J.J. Redick, a good destination would be Charlotte.
12. Detroit Pistons (Christopher Kline) — Donovan Mitchell
The Pistons go best player available here, grabbing one of the draft’s best two-way guards, while also giving themselves some insurance in the event of a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope departure this offseason.
Mitchell’s stock has risen substantially over the past few weeks, as his defensive toughness and hyper-athletic nature have cemented his name in the lottery conversation. Standing at 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and excellent core strength, Mitchell has the physical tools needed to defend either guard spot at a high level from day one. He tends to take each matchup personally in isolation, while his constant display of energy when defending off the ball is an undoubted positive for NBA teams.
On the offensive end, Mitchell’s upside lies just as high. His quickness allows him to get by defenders on the perimeter, where his explosiveness then factors in once he’s playing downhill. Few players enter the league with the same outright bounciness that Mitchell has around the basket, which allows him to finish both around and over traffic in different scenarios.
His shot also projects well from the perimeter. While his percentages weren’t all that impressive, that can be largely attributed to the heavy load he carried in isolation — something an NBA offense and a more defined role can help rectify. He form is quick and concise, while his elevation allows him to get shots off from almost any angle, even with limited space to work with.
Ideally, his playmaking develops to the point where he can help shoulder some of the point guard duties in time. He has the three-level scoring threat needed to keep defenses off balance in the pick-and-roll, while his athleticism could open up passing lanes other guards aren’t capable of exploiting.
An offensive spark with strong defensive play, Stan Van Gundy takes the hard-nosed Louisville kid under his wing.
13. Denver Nuggets (Brendan Vogt) — OG Anunoby
OG Anunoby has slid down some draft boards of late due to concerns about his knee. A torn ACL ended his sophomore season at Indiana early, and a general uncertainty as to his full recovery has really hurt his stock in the latest round of mock drafts.
Not every player can recover from such an injury and regain their explosiveness. There is certainly some risk in drafting a player fresh off an injury like that. But, when healthy, Anunoby has one of the highest defensive upsides in this draft. An imposing frame and good lateral quickness allowed him to stay in front of most wings in college, but his size could allow him to guard fours in the NBA.
He’s not yet 20 years old, but he measured in at 6-foot-8 and 232 pounds at the NBA Combine, while showing off a wingspan of almost 7-foot-3. NBA training staffs must be salivating at the thought of helping this kid develop.
His offense, however, has much lower ceiling. Anunoby is athletic, but he’s not a shot creator, and his jumper leaves plenty to be desired. He only shot 31.1 percent from deep in his second season, and he only attempted 7.6 field goals a game.
With Danilo Gallinari opting out of his contract, the Nuggets will hope to add a wing in this draft. Jonathan Isaac would be the ideal candidate here, but he won’t be around at No. 13, and trading up is unlikely. Denver might consider trading down in this draft if they believe that Anunoby will indeed fall even lower than 13. But, you can’t swing any trades in the 16 mock draft.
The knee is a concern, but the Nuggets have a chance to kill two birds with one stone in Anunoby. He’s worth a role of the dice from Arturas Karnisovas in his first draft as a general manager.
14. Miami Heat (Charles Maniego) — Zach Collins
The Miami Heat may have their center of the future in Hassan Whiteside, but they could take a chance on the Gonzaga big man. If the Heat really do decide to pursue Gordon Hayward (or Kyle Lowry or Blake Griffin or…whoever) they could decide to deal Whiteside to clear up even more cap space. This pick is a move for the future.
Collins has fallen just a bit here, slated as a top-12 pick, and projects as a super solid pro. He may have played limited minutes in his freshman year at Gonzaga (and in high school as well), but his skill-set was enough to propel him into the lottery. Collins’ per-40 minutes were simply outstanding, and he backed it up with solid skill as well. He shot solidly from the 3-point line, albeit with a small sample size. He blocked shots well, with solid timing on his jumps. Overall, Collins’ athleticism should be commended, as he was quick enough to be an effective roll man on offense and a solid player on the perimeter guarding the pick-and-roll.
However, Collins’ small sample size in college could also be a drawback. Most of Collins’ time was spent against college backups, so that may not translate well to the NBA. He fouled at a very high rate, a tradeoff for his big block numbers. He tends to play aggressively on defense, but he may need to dial back a bit. On the offensive end, Collins isn’t that great of a finisher just yet, and he could be deterred by longer, stronger NBA big men due to his lack of hops. Collins also may project as just a solid role player, rather than a stud center.
The Heat took a ragtag bunch of players nearly to an improbable playoff run. In missing the playoffs, they found themselves in the lottery. They have a big chance to improve an already promising core — along with possibly adding a high-profile free agent and returning Justise Winslow to the lineup. The future is bright for the Miami Heat, starting with the NBA Draft.
15. Portland Trail Blazers (Christopher Kline) — DJ Wilson
Wilson has all the attributes of a modern-day stretch four, combining excellent athletic tools with a smooth outside stroke and tremendous versatility within his offensive arsenal. While there were some questions about his toughness on the defensive end during his time with Michigan, his 7-foot-3 wingspan and mobility out to the perimeter should quell most of those concerns in time.
This is a Blazers team in need of depth at the four spot, as Noah Vonleh is quickly working himself out of favor as any semblance of a long-term solution. Wilson gives them another viable scoring option, somebody who can find success as a spot-up shooter while utilizing the gravity of his backcourt’s presence to work into his own shots off the dribble. He also excels when attacking closeouts, finishing with soft touch around the basket via a wide range of floaters — although there are times where he opts for floaters rather than taking contact at the rim, a somewhat worrisome trend he’ll need to break.
Wilson’s versatility also opens up more opportunities for Jusuf Nurkic at the five, giving him a serviceable cutter off the perimeter, while allotting the Bosnian more room to operate on the low block. That gives Nurkic a better situation to feature his playmaking out of the high post, as well as his bully-ball scoring at the rim.
Portland as a whole feels incomplete right now. The forefront of their rotation has the talent needed to compete, but their supporting cast simply hasn’t upheld the requisite expectations. Wilson would be a promising start toward rebuilding their front-court.
16. Chicago Bulls (Rich Condon) — Justin Patton
Though the rumors of Jimmy Butler’s future in Chicago are all over the place right now, there’s no denying the Bulls need a big man for their immediate future. Robin Lopez is still under contract for the next two years, and we’ve seen a few flashes from Bobby Portis, but Chicago still needs a presence down low, on both sides of the ball.
Justin Patton, out of Creighton, is a perfect complementary big for the “3 Alphas.” The first thing that sticks out about Patton is his agility. He runs the floor in transition almost like a guard. He’s already an elite rim runner, putting up 1.47 points per possession (PPP) in transition, and led the NCAA as a finisher with 1.52 PPP. Patton is extremely capable in the pick-and-roll, as he’s able to slip screens, thanks to his agility.
On the other side of the ball, Patton averaged 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks per 40 minutes. He has active hands and is comfortable switching in the pick-and-roll on the perimeter. Once again, Patton’s agility helps a great deal on defense, particularly when rotating at the rim.
Patton’s shot has potential, and he shot 8-of-14 from 3-point range this season. However, his 51.8 percent from the free throw line and 3-of-12 on pull-ups indicate his shot is very much still a work in progress. Patton’s also comfortable operating out of the high post, and his turnaround game should come along with time as well. He’s also an above-average passer out of the post. He struggles against strength and is a below-average rebounder. However, his energy and motor indicate that with work, he can make improvements on the boards as well. As presently constructed, the Bulls have plenty of options to turn to at guard and forward. Adding a high upside big man at pick 16 is too much to pass up for the Bulls.
17. Milwaukee Bucks (Rich Condon) — Jarrett Allen
The Bucks have been known for surprising people in the draft, selecting raw prospects with tons of upside. They continue the trend with Jarrett Allen out of the University of Texas. The most important aspect about Allen is he’s got the best afro to see the hardwood since Big Ben Wallace.
Let’s start with the physical tools Allen brings to the table: he’s 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, a 9-foot-2 standing reach, a 30-inch no-step vertical and a 35.5-inch max vertical, and monster, Kawhi-esque hands. He also takes huge strides when running the floor and is very agile.
Allen projects to be an elite rim protector in the NBA. He had at least one block in 29 of 33 games at Texas, and having played a lot of power forward got him some experience playing along the perimeter as well. He has all the tools to be a glass eater as well, but playing at the four limited his rebounding opportunities a bit during his time at Texas. Allen has shown a capable hook shot, which coupled with his length and vertical, can become deadly with further polishing.
However, Allen is very slight, weighing only 224 pounds. He struggles against stronger opponents, and his biggest issue is his lack of motivation and energy at times. Lacking energy and motivation won’t be a problem for long in Milwaukee, as Giannis doesn’t suffer that. Remember, he threatened to punch Thon Maker if he didn’t shoot the ball in the playoffs. How do you think he’ll react if a rookie isn’t giving it his all?Speaking of Maker, Allen’s inability to stretch the floor on offense shouldn’t be much of a problem for the Bucks, as Maker is already a somewhat capable 3-point shooter. The potential combination of Allen, Maker and Antetokounmpo on the defensive end is a horrifying proposition of length, height and quickness.
Make no mistake, Jarrett Allen is still extremely raw, but no organization has been better at incubating raw prospects into quality players over the last few seasons than Jason Kidd and the Milwaukee Bucks.
18. Indiana Pacers (Cameron Stewart) — Justin Jackson
Jackson would fit the need for a wing off the bench for the Pacers and allow some flexibility down the road. C.J. Miles is a free agent who will demand a hefty contract, Paul George could be gone in a year, and Glenn Robinson III will be a free agent after next season. Drafting Jackson would be solid insurance at the wing in case any of those players leave.
The 6-foot-8 forward is a proven winner who improved in each of his three college seasons, the last of which culminated in a national championship. He made a point to improve his 3-point shooting in his junior season, shooting a career-high 37 percent on 7.1 attempts per game.
Jackson isn’t a great athlete, but he has great size (6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan) for a wing that will allow him to defend multiple positions. He’ll have to gain weight (201 pounds at the Draft Combine), but that’ll come in due time.
The NBA is leaning toward wing play as a crucial element for a winning team, and we’ll see that in the contracts that will be given to wings who can play 3-and-D. If Jackson is on the board at 18, the Pacers should jump at the opportunity to take a player with his skill-set and winning experience.
19. Atlanta Hawks (Tamberlyn Richardson) — John Collins
The Atlanta Hawks entered the offseason knowing Paul Millsap would be a free agent. Based on this, it was logical to add a big as insurance. Following Tuesday’s news of Dwight Howard being traded, the Hawks’ front-court requires a major talent replenishing. Howard never fit into Coach Bud’s system, so this move makes a ton of sense. Couple that with the fact that the 2017 draft is chock full of point guards, centers and power forwards, and it gives greater credence to the trade.
On the eve of the draft, there is scuttlebutt the Hawks are also trying to work a sign and trade for Paul Millsap! (say it with me — blow it up and rebuild).
Enter Wake Forest power forward John Collins. Now, in fairness, I made this pick prior to any of these events, but it only serves to justify Collins’ selection. Unlike Millsap, Collins is more of a traditional power forward who does the majority of his damage in the paint and works the block to grab rebounds. Last season, Collins’ stat line was 19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
If Millsap walks, the Hawks will need to address his absence via another roster move because Collins predominantly works under the basket and in the midrange. In his two seasons at Wake Forest, he progressively improved, winning ACC’s Most Improved Player this past season. He’ll need to continue this growth in Atlanta with specific emphasis placed on ball-handling (passing), extending his range and working on his defense.
Ultimately, regardless of what happens with Millsap, selecting John Collins offers Coach Bud a gritty, prototypical big who’ll fill a gap upfront and who he can groom to fit his system.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (Christopher Kline)— Isaiah Hartenstein
The Blazers can’t add on an immediate contract with all three first-round picks, meaning they’ll likely go international at least once. With Hartenstein being the best player left on the board here, the decision seems relatively easy.
While he’s likely to spend at least a year overseas in this scenario, the German has already established a foundation for success in the NBA. His fundamentals and decision-making tend to go awry more often than teams would like, but his athletic tools and burgeoning young skill-set is enough to bank on with the 20th pick.
Hartenstein already has the size and mobility needed to thrive in the modern NBA game, potentially making the transition to center while still retaining ample mobility out to the perimeter as a 7-footer. He also has a promising jumper on the offensive end, one that falls with consistency from midrange and tends to project well beyond the arc — albeit his consistency hasn’t quite caught up to his form.
The lefty also does a nice job as a cutter, finding holes in the defense and exploiting open lanes. Perhaps his most underrated skill, though, is his passing. While he’ll work his way into turnovers at a somewhat high clip, his vision is advanced for a 19-year-old big. It’s a matter of improving that decision-making, something that has provided perhaps the largest roadblock in Hartenstein’s development thus far.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder (David Brandon) — Semi Ojeleye
In the modern NBA, the versatile wing is king. The Thunder have had a real problem finding wings that fit that description. Their best small forward is Andre Roberson, whose offensive game is at best rudimentary. The rest of the wings on the roster are either below replacement level or completely non-factors on the defensive end. Two-way play on the wing is something they need desperately.
Enter Semi Ojeleye.
Ojeleye is a hybrid SF/PF with an intriguing blend of agility and power. Unlike many players who have a lot of work to do on conditioning and athleticism when they get into the league, Ojeleye can bring high-octane athleticism and strength from day one. With his size and strength, he can rotate down into the paint and cover bigger players, but good lane agility scores indicate that he also has the foot speed to stay with perimeter players. He should at least be an average defender at both forward spots at the next level.
He’s also shown legitimate range in college, shooting 42 percent last year from the college 3-point line on a high number of attempts. His free throws too, normally a good indicator of NBA shooting range, are solid at 78 percent last year. Although attacking off the bounce isn’t his bread and butter, he’s capable enough. Still, ideally, you’d like a little more at the next level.
Physically, he doesn’t quite have the length you’d like out of a combo forward, though it’s not a deal-breaker. Some scouts have also noticed a need to improve his flexibility, which hinders him a bit defensively. There are also questions about how his flattish shot translates to the NBA.
At pick 21, though, Ojeleye has a chance to be impactful both immediately and in the future. He’s a mature, high-character, athletic player who fits seamlessly onto a Thunder team in desperate need of his skill-set.
22. Brooklyn Nets (Charles Maniego) — Anzejs Pasecniks
The Nets are in need of length and athleticism. Pasecniks fills both needs for the Nets. The Latvian big may be a bit older of a prospect, but he’s only starting to grow comfortable with his game. Pasecniks was scouted by Sean Marks in one of the Nets GM’s many trips to Europe. With the Nets, Pasecniks’ fluidity and mobility would definitely be welcome on a team with relatively rigid bigs. He may be a developing shooter, but he’s an interesting flyer at 22.
Many have compared Pasecniks to his fellow Latvian Kristaps Porzingis, but those comparisons may be a little off base. Pasecniks is more of an “energy” big man than anything. He’ll dive and outrun players off the pick-and-roll, he’ll run the floor like a gazelle, and he’ll snag lobs on the run. His shooting touch, at best, is inconsistent. He shot well this past season with Gran Canaria (with a relatively small sample size), but he hasn’t been a consistent shooter at all. That extends to the free throw line, where Pasecniks was disappointing as well. But, he does show good instincts on the offensive end, so he’s not completely raw.
Pasecniks is more of a “modern” center rather than a traditional one. He doesn’t block shots well, so his potential as a rim protector is limited. He’s also skinny, and at 21-going-on-22, his frame may have capped its limits, or may be close to it currently. Pasecniks could get pushed around on the glass and in the post. He also doesn’t rebound exceptionally well, especially for a 7-foot-2 guy, sometimes just using his reach for boards. But, in the modern NBA, Pasecniks could be effective guarding the pick-and-roll, moving laterally and just using his length to deter guards from entering the restricted area. The Nets need that.
The Brooklyn Nets need everything. Drafting a center like Pasecniks just scratches the surface. He may not be the best Latvian in New York (insert Porzingis trade rumors here), but he could be a solid pro if selected by the Nets.
23. Toronto Raptors (Tamberlyn Richardson) — TJ Leaf
Entering the offseason, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri has specific goals in mind. Re-signing Kyle Lowry is the top priority, and despite a thirsty article, it appears the goal is mutual.
In addition, Ujiri has to address free agents Serge Ibaka (own his bird rights), PJ Tucker and Patrick Patterson. Assumptions in the 6ix are the team would like to retain Ibaka and Tucker to see precisely what this core could do with a full season. Assuming this is the mandate, the needs for Toronto are defensive rebounding, players who can create for others, better overall passing and more perimeter scoring specifically from the front-court.
TJ Leaf was one of the 51 players the Raptors brought in for a tryout, and he impressed. Moreover, he checks off every box on Toronto’s short list. This season at UCLA, Leaf was a highly efficient scoring machine. His 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists were augmented via his 64.4 percent from the field and stellar 46.6 perimeter percentage. Furthermore, Leaf grabbed 19.7 percent of his defensive rebounds, which is significant, given the Raptors ranked 23rd in that category.
Ultimately, the lack of scoring in the playoffs (and an injured Lowry) resulted in their oust. By adding a player who provides floor spacing, rebounding and can keep the ball moving, Toronto fills multiple needs via one asset.
24. Utah Jazz (Sandy Mui)— Terrance Ferguson
The Utah Jazz are entering the 2017 offseason with a heap of uncertainty. It’s unclear whether they’ll be able to retain everyone from a rather impressive team that advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Gordon Hayward is the most pressing concern, though George Hill (UFA), Shelvin Mack (UFA), Joe Ingles (RFA) and Jeff Withey (UFA) are also names that will bounce around this offseason. Needless to say, with a majority of the players they could potentially lose being guards (or wings), the Jazz should look for suitable replacements through the Draft.
Terrance Ferguson is a prospect who’s been largely under the radar due to his decision to forgo college and spend a year overseas in Australia. Many mocks have him being selected around this point in the mid-to-late 20’s, so it’s possible he’ll be available once the Jazz hit the board on Draft night. If selected, he would be able to provide Utah with a 3-point stroke; DraftExpress has noted that Ferguson is particularly good as a spot-up shooter and that he’s effective from the corners. He would certainly be a viable option as a 3-point marksman off the bench for the Jazz, which is currently missing on their roster. The 6-foot-7 guard is also often complimented for his explosiveness and athleticism, which is more easily seen through game film, rather than his numbers.
Ferguson didn’t receive a tremendous amount of playing time while playing for the Adelaide 36ers, which would explain why his numbers: 4.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 18 minutes per game, don’t exactly jump out at you. On top of that, his biggest weakness is his defense, which is understandable, given that he’s only 19 years old and his alarmingly thin frame of 186 pounds. Still, if the Jazz are looking for a prospect to work with as a long-term project who can provide streaky scoring and 3-point shooting, Ferguson would be a great pickup.
25. Orlando Magic (Cory Hutson) — Harry Giles
This is a pure value pick. Most “big board” rankings put Giles at or near the end of the lottery, but he’s fallen down the 16WAR mock draft likely due to the uncertainty surrounding his capabilities.
While Giles wowed evaluators throughout his teenage years, a series of injuries set him back fairly significantly, and playing behind fifth-year senior Amile Jefferson at Duke left him little opportunity to prove himself on the court. Still, if a lottery-level talent falls almost out of the first round, there’s a chance to get a steal for a team willing to take a risk.
For the Magic, he doesn’t fit any needs right away. After all, one of their many roster problems has been an overabundance of underwhelming big men, and while some of that issue was alleviated by moving Serge Ibaka, there’s little chance that Giles would find significant playing time on the current team. Instead, I’m imagining a situation where Giles spends much of the year with the newly-acquired Lakeland Magic G-League team. Stephen Zimmerman hasn’t shown much to suggest he’ll be a part of the Magic’s long-term future, so perhaps Giles can be their next project big man.
Giles has historically played as a power forward, but I can very easily imagine a world where he plays as the Magic’s small-ball center, if his talent pans out and he overcomes his injury history. It’s only a matter of time until Orlando moves on from Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo, so finding their next great big man would go a long way toward putting this team back together. A chance at finding that player is well worth the 25th pick.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (Christopher Kline)— Devin Robinson
Robinson embodies what teams need in a modern-day role player. He’s freakishly long on the wing, boasting a 7-foot-1 wingspan that coincides with a lanky 6-foot-8 frame, while his skill-set on both sides of the ball should translate favorably in a league predicated on positional flexibility.
As his frame continues to fill out, Robinson should be able to play both the three and the four with ease. On the defensive end, he has the mobility needed to switch onto guards on the perimeter, yet his length gives him some heavily underrated potential as a weak-side shot blocker. He’ll be able to switch successfully between one through four, all the while bringing legitimate contributions to the offensive side of the ball as well.
Albeit never the go-to option offensively, Robinson had what was irrefutably his best season to date in 2017. Averaging 11.1 points per contest, the springy junior popped 3s at a 39.1 percent rate while flashing significant improvements as a finisher in straight-line drives. He gives Portland somebody who can easily slide into the rotation as a spot-up shooter, as well as another slasher to work off the Lillard/McCollum/Nurkic triad.
With a pair of bigs taken before this spot, Robinson may not be the best talent in a vacuum, but he fills a need on just about any team. This draft gives the Blazers some front-court help they’re in desperate need of, all the while adding three talents who are capable of contributing well above where their draft stock is typically slated.
27. Brooklyn Nets (Charles Maniego)— Jonah Bolden
Jonah Bolden has risen up draft boards as of late. Many have touted the Australian ex-UCLA bruin as a lottery-level talent. In the Adriatic league, Bolden showed his full range of skills. He can shoot from deep like a guard. He’s a solid leaper at the rim. He’s long enough and athletic to compete on the perimeter defensively. But, of course, Bolden may struggle with consistency and drives at times. He’s an interesting pickup and a potential sleeper in a draft filled to the brim with high-upside big men.
Bolden can be a solid role player on NBA teams. His skill-set was molded by his experience playing shooting guard in his younger years. He shows complete comfort perusing the perimeter on the offensive end. The 6-foot-10 prospect has deep range and shot it quite effectively as well. He also has solid quickness, so he could complement his shooting with rim runs. Bolden was solid finishing at the rim, with nice explosiveness off the floor and a propensity for big dunks. His offensive game may need a little more discipline, but he could slot into an NBA role right away.
The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide has one of Bolden’s comparisons as “tranquilized Draymond.” Bolden may not have the intensity and sheer intelligence of Draymond as a defender, but he has the tools. He can move laterally at a solid pace, perfect for the pick-and-roll. Bolden’s long arms make him a solid rim protector — potentially. He’s also pretty active in the passing lanes. But, Bolden’s defensive effort is… wavy. He’ll need to compete a bit more if he wants to maximize his athletic gifts.
Bolden has risen up draft boards simply because he’s one of the biggest unknowns. He didn’t go the Draft Combine. He competed in a relatively low-level league. Bolden also burst onto draft boards after an unimpressive stint at UCLA. He could be a dangerous pick, but he has the potential to be an impressive player if he pans out.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (Christian Rivas) — Ike Anigbogu
In this mock draft, the Los Angeles Lakers walk away with two of UCLA’s best. An incredibly raw prospect, UCLA big man Ike Anigbogu doesn’t project to make an immediate impact on any NBA team, but if he falls to the Lakers when they pick №28, he’s worth taking a gamble on.
Physically, he’s built like a freight train. His 6-foot-10 frame is ideal for the power forward position, but his extremely limited offensive game will prevent him from playing the four. Instead, he will likely see time as a high-energy center in small-ball lineups initially. Luckily, Anigbogu has a few physical advantages that make up for his lack of size at the five, like his enormous 7-foot-6 wingspan and his impressive 32.5-inch max vertical.
With the Lakers looking to preserve cap space in the event a high-profile free agent becomes available between now and next season, there’s a good chance they let their reserve big men walk this summer, including former №5 pick Thomas Robinson and Tarik Black, who has a $6.5 million team option the Lakers can exercise this summer. Anigbogu would give the Lakers a quality backup center on a decent contract.
If he develops his game beyond what he currently offers, he could become a Tristan Thompson-like player for the Lakers.
29. San Antonio Spurs (Rich Condon) — Bam Adebayo
Though it’s very likely the Spurs will draft and stash to maintain salary flexibility in pursuit of a marquee free agent, if available, Bam Adebayo is an intriguing selection for the Spurs. Much like last year, the Spurs will be taking advantage of a player (Dejounte Murray last year) slipping through the cracks if Adebayo falls to them.
Let’s be clear up front: there’s a lot not to love about Bam. He’s small for a center (6-foot-10 but a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a near 40-inch max vertical), he’s very limited on the offensive end, and his energy and focus is questionable, at best. In addition, he’s exceedingly turnover prone, especially for a big man. It’s worth noting though, Kentucky doesn’t always showcase everything a player has to offer.
However, Adebayo can fit a huge need for the Spurs right away as an energy big off the bench. He’s already 243 pounds and made out of solid muscle. He has the strength to bang in the paint with the big men of the NBA, and he was comfortable switching onto smaller players along the perimeter. Adebayo’s already an outstanding offensive rebounder (something the Spurs can use, as they were in the bottom half of the NBA with 10 offensive rebounds per game). When he was engaged at Kentucky, Adebayo was a very capable rim protector and has the potential to be a defensive force. If he develops, the combination of Bam at the rim and Kawhi everywhere else can give opposing coaches nightmares.
Again, there are a lot of edges that need smoothening. He’s not much more than a dunker on offense at this point. But, under the tutelage of Gregg Popovich and the wonderful San Antonio staff, and with the chance to learn from two Hall-of-Fame big men in Pau Gasol and Tim Duncan (oh stop, you know he’s still hanging around the practice facility), Bam is a worthy, cheap calculated risk if available at 29.
30. Utah Jazz (Sandy Mui) — Derrick White
The Jazz come out of this draft with two guards who could serve as short-term answers to the potential losses of some of their key contributors this offseason. Derrick White is another guard Utah could take a flyer on, and by selecting him, the Jazz gain a player who possesses a wide range of skills. Not to mention, as DraftExpress noted, he has “one of the best stories of the 2017 NBA Draft class,” by working his way up to All-Pac 12 honors after being heavily under-recruited out of high school and transferring to Colorado from a Division II school. Through humble beginnings, it’s possible White will be a “feel-good” story that emerges in this NBA Draft class.
White is listed as a combo guard, though he’d probably fare better at the point with a size advantage, since he stands at 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. His biggest strengths come from his offensive capabilities — White can shoot from just about anywhere (just look at all that green on his shot chart on The Ringer’s NBA Draft Guide), and he’s also able to create (and knock down with great efficiency) his own shot.
If the Jazz decide to use him as a floor general (potentially if George Hill walks), he’d be a welcome addition; he thrives in the pick-and-roll, and his high basketball IQ and court vision help him set up his teammates. In his one season at Colorado, White averaged 4.4 assists per game, a stellar mark for a player who only spent one year at a Division-1 school.
With his skill-set and versatility, White could be selected higher in the first round. Many mock drafts anticipate he’ll turn out to be a first-round pick in the mid-to-late 20’s, but if he’s still available at 30, it’ll be worth it for the Jazz to take a chance on him.
