2017 NBA Mock Draft
Now that the Draft Lottery has been set, it is that time of the year for mock drafts galore. While these are rarely correct, they can give a good look at what teams are looking for, what they need to look for, and an overall sense of what the prospects bring to the table. With that said, the below picks are what I think these teams should do based off of best player, fit, and need.
1. Boston Celtics: Markelle Fultz
Fultz is widely regarded as the best player in this draft and the obvious pick for the Celtics. This era of the NBA is being dominated by the guards. Fultz has the ideal size for a guard measuring at 6'5" with a wingspan of 6'10". This size allows him to overpower smaller guards and fly by bigger guards. He has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. This last year he displayed the ability and creativity to score at the rim, mid-range jumpers, and from distance. His offensive awareness and passing ability allow him to create great scoring opportunities for his teammates. He didn’t show the greatest defensive aptitude but many explain this as his frustrations with poor teammates and coaching. His physical profile and athleticism suggest that he has the ability to be a good defender. He fits well in Boston as he has the ability to play off the ball while Thomas is running the show. Thomas, Bradley, and Smart’s contracts are all up after next year so Fultz provides a great option to take one of those spots as they likely will not be able to keep all three.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball
The Lakers could easily go a lot of different ways with this pick with either Jackson, Ball, Fox, or Tatum. While I don’t think he is the best fit, I do think this will still be the pick here. This will lead to one of the worst defensive back courts in the league but could give the Lakers the opportunity to spin Russell for a first round pick in 2018 (something they currently don’t have). Ball is a good, not great athlete. His height, 6'6", allows him to shoot and see over smaller guards. He struggles to finish through contact and score off the dribble. At UCLA he had an absurdly high field goal percentage at the rim. This was due more to running the break, backdoor cuts, and alley-oops instead of beating defenders off the dribble and getting to the rim. He has an unusual shot release which leads to concerns on if he will be able to score off the dribble against better competition. With that said, Ball could still be a franchise changing talent. He has unlimited range and elite passing ability. He doesn’t hold onto the ball too long and does a great job of getting his teammates involved. His overall basketball IQ should help him succeed regardless of the situation.
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Malik Monk
This is a tough spot for the 76ers. Ideally Ball would fall to them here but since he was taken the pick before, Malik Monk would fit in perfectly here. This is a little high for Monk to go but he is in this next tier of prospects and if the 76ers can’t trade down and get him, I think they should take a shot on him here. Monk is a great athlete who can easily play above the rim. He’s shown the ability to play good defense when he is motivated to do so. If he is uninterested though, he often checks out on defense and turns into a huge liability. He has a smaller frame than most shooting guards which can put him in bad situations, especially defensively. His biggest asset is his shotting. Monk is an elite shooter, something Philly desperately needs, and he showed up big against the top competition this year. With Simmons dominating the ball handling next year, Monk should fit in nicely playing off the ball and supplying some outside scoring to a team in desperate need of it.
4. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson
Jackson is one of my favorite players in this draft and I think he is a perfect pick for the Suns. The Suns have talent in their back court with Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker. They also invested in their big men last year with Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender with a few more years of Tyson Chandler too. They are in dire need of a wing and Jackson provides the potential to be a multi time All-Star for this team. He is a great athlete who can play lock down defense. His talent and athleticism will allow him to stay in the league for a long time even if his offensive game doesn’t develop like most think it will. On offense he does a good job of attacking the rim and has shown the ability to stretch the floor when needed. He isn’t a great outside shooter but once he becomes more consistent, he will be a reliable weapon from beyond the arc.
5. Sacramento Kings: De’Arron Fox
Fox is a really interesting prospect who I could easily see going at number three to the 76ers too. Fox is one of the best athletes in the draft who is a really good two way guard. He has top end speed that lets him run the break and beat defenders off the dribble. His defensive IQ and athleticism should allow him to be a great defender. The biggest knock on Fox is his poor shooting ability from outside. In high school, Fox shot 34% from behind the arc on 5.4 attempts per game but in college he shot only 24.6% on 1.9 attempts. This suggests that he may have the ability to to improve again to an average shooter and that he just wasn’t asked to do that at Kentucky. Fox should be able to succeed running the pick and roll in Sacramento with the rim running Cauley-Stein and the shooting of Hield.
6. Orlando Magic: Jason Tatum
The Orlando Magic are a mess of a team right now. This is the easiest case of a team that just needs to take the best player available and that is Tatum. Tatum was one of the best freshmen in the country this year at Duke. He has a good physical profile of 6'8" 210 lbs with a 6'11" wing span. His size and athleticism should allow him to defend multiple positions and likely play as a three while Aaron Gordon moves back to the four spot in the lineup. He showed that he possesses a lot of versatility on offense. He can score off the dribble, pull up from three, or score in the post with his back to the basket. Despite being a one and done, Tatum has an extremely mature approach to the game. When the game is on the line he has a calm demeanor about him and wants the ball in big spots.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonathon Isaac
I love this pick for the Timberwolves as Isaac has one of the highest ceilings of anyone in this draft. Isaac is an ideal 3 and D wing who is 6'11" with a 7'1" wing span. Slotting Isaac in the Wolves lineup with Towns and Wiggins gives the Wolves a ton of length and the possibility for Thibodeau to produce a top level defense. Isaac was an inconsistent shooter at Florida St but showed his scoring versatility on moving without the ball and rising up over smaller defenders. His ball dribbling and passing vision need to improve. He also needs to add some muscle and get more comfortable with the physicality of the NBA. At worst I see Isaac being a solid role player but his potential could make him a key part in a young Wolves team that has a ton of potential.
8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina
The French point guard has a lot of promise but is a big mystery because of how raw he still is. I could see Dennis Smith going here too but think Ntilikina would be a better fit with Porzingis and the Triangle offense that Phil Jackson is hell bent on using. Ntilikina has great size and length which will allow him to guards multiple positions. Right now he will be able to make an immediate impact on the defensive end as he grows on the offensive end. He does a good job of working in the pick and roll but needs to improve on his sloppy ball handling and inaccurate passes. If given the time he should be able to develop offensively.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith
Smith is a phenomenal athlete who struggles defensively doesn’t do a great job of moving the ball. His ball handling and athleticism should allow him to get to the rim consistently if defenses don’t sag off too much. Smith showed poor shooting due to his inconsistent mechanics. He needs massive improvement with his effort on the defensive end but look to see him running a lot of pick and roll with Noel. Smith could improve into a top level scorer if his lack of defense and the possibility of Rick Carlisle killing him don’t keep him off the court.
10. Sacramento Kings: Lauri Markkenen
Markkenen is the best shooting big man in this draft. His game on offense flows like a guard’s allowing him to score off the dribble, pulling up, or with a catch and shoot. Markkenen running a pick and pop with Fox could be deadly especially paired with the athleticism of Cauley-Stein. Saying Markkenen needs work defensively is generous at best. This could lead to him flaming out in the league but teaming up with Cauley-Stein, Fox, and coach Dave Joerger could help him grow into a passable defender.
11. Charlotte Hornets: Zach Collins
I could easily see Collins going a pick earlier to Sacramento but I also think he fits well with the Hornets. Collins is one of the most well rounded big men in the draft. Despite coming off the bench for Gonzaga he showed that he is a worthy lottery pick who will be in the league for years. Collins consistent shooting mechanics and footwork allow him to be a reliable scorer with his back to the basket. He has also shown the ability in the pick and pop game but could still extend his range. Defensively he has the ability to protect the rim and alter shots. Collins lack of athleticism leads to him getting blocked more than he should and committing too many careless fouls and turnovers.
12. Detroit Pistons: Donovan Mitchell
The Pistons need guard help as the Reggie Jackson experiment is failing and Caldwell-Pope may leave in free agency. Mitchell is a good defender who can shoot from outside. His strength allows him to shutdown guards who are bigger than him and keep up with smaller guards. He is a good passer who should be able to create for his teammates. As he matures and grows he should gamble less on defense and take better shots on the other end.
13. Denver Nuggets: OG Anunoby
This is a very risky pick for Denver as Anunoby is coming off of a torn ACL in a season where we barely got to see what his is capable of. His length and athleticism make him a very good defender and a great rebounder. Expect to see Anunoby come in off the bench as a defensive stopper as he continues to develop his offensive game. He needs to improve on his passing, ball control, and shooting mechanics. There are concerns too about his explosiveness coming off the torn ACL but he needs to focus more on developing his shooting to turn into a true 3-and-D wing.
14. Miami Heat: John Collins
Collins isn’t the most well known name in this draft but the fans of the advanced stats love him. The best part about his game is his offensive prowess. His creativity and strength allow him to fight through contact and finish inside at a very high rate. He does a good job of navigating the pick and roll while also excelling at rebounding. His biggest issue right now is that he is a poor defensive player. He struggles to stay in his stance but at least works hard on that end of the floor. Erik Spoelstra has proven that he is really good at developing guys and making sure they succeed in the Heat culture. Collins will mostly be able to help on the offensive end while he is paired next to Whiteside.
15. Portland Trailblazers: Ike Anigbogu
Anigbogu was one of the few bright spots on UCLA’s defense this year. His strength allows him to alter shots and deny shots at the rim. His NBA-ready-body will allow him to immediately make an impact for the Trailblazers on defense and rebounding. He will need a lot of work on the offense end as he is not a good shooter and can rely on dunking too much. If he can develop some touch around the rim, he will be able to earn himself more playing time and have a bigger impact on the team.
16. Chicago Bulls: Luke Kennard
Kennard is a great shooter. He has the ability to score from anywhere on the floor because of his consistent and fluid mechanics. His offensive IQ, feel for the game, and maturity allow him to create separation off the ball and rarely make mistakes. He is not a great athlete but works as hard as anyone. Defensively, this is about as good as it is going to get. His lack of foot speed and lack of length will lead to him getting beat off the dribble. The Bulls are in desperate need of shooting and Kennard will immediately help with that. He also has the ability to be the primary ball handler. This will allow the Bulls to play Kennard at the one and Butler at the two or Kennard at the two and Butler at the three when they want to go smaller.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Justin Patton
The Bucks have proven that they are ok with taking a high up-side player and developing him slowly. That is exactly what they are going to get with Justin Patton. Patton is very athletic and has great length, 6'11" with a 7'3" wingspan, that will fit in perfectly with the Bucks. Patton needs to work on his shooting but has shown flashes of his ability. This could lead to him being deadly in the pick and roll and adding another versatile scorer to the Bucks. His overall fundamentals can get pretty sloppy but if he is given the time to develop he could turn into an impactful player.
18. Indiana Pacers: Terrance Ferguson
Ferguson is an interesting prospect as he will require a lot of patience but has the physical tools to turn into a good player. He is a very good athlete who is a natural scorer. He can create pretty easily for himself but is way to erratic with his shooting. His sloppy and inconsistent form lead to streaky shooting that can’t be relied upon. It could be very beneficial for him to learn from Paul George for a year before George leaves town. The Pacers will likely be rebuilding sooner rather than later and Ferguson is a good building block if they are patient with him.
19. Atlanta Hawks: TJ Leaf
Leaf has some of the highest offensive instincts on offense in this draft. He is a very good athlete who finds ways to score from all over the floor. He was also one of the best passing big men in the country this year actively looking to get his teammates involved. Like most UCLA players this year though, Leaf struggled on defense. Despite his high instincts on the offensive end, Leaf often struggled catching up in the pick and roll and would frequently get blown by if forced to defend on the perimeter. This isn’t the best fit for the Hawks but Leaf is the best player available at this spot. He will be able to learn from Millsap and likely eventually replace him.
20. Portland Trailblazers: Ivan Rabb
Rabb has a post game that is more developed than most his age. His patience allows him to make the right play or find an opening to score. As he gets stronger he should be able to excel as a small-ball five. He is an exceptional rebounder and is great at keeping his guy off the boards. He needs to improve his shooting but should fit in nicely with Portland’s backcourt.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Justin Jackson
Jackson has improved his shooting every year. He has shown that he can do a little bit of everything from scoring to passing to defending multiple positions. He will be able to slide into the lineup immediately to help the Thunder. He has the ability to score when Westbrook drives and kicks the ball out or he can take over some of the ball handling and create for others with his good passing and high IQ.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Harry Giles
Giles has gone through a lot and is a sad story as he was the number one recruit out of high school and then struggled his entire freshman year after tearing his ACL in his senior year of high school. The Nets need to rebuild without having any of their actual picks and to do this they will need to take some chances on prospects. If Giles can get fully healthy and regain confidence in his knee, he has the defensive versatility to switch onto guards when needed and perform as an elite rebounder. He has average scoring ability but can finish well around the rim. All year he seemed to lack confidence shooting and with his general movement. If he can get healthy and regain that confidence, this will be a steal for the Nets.
23. Toronto Raptors: Bam Adebayo
The Raptors could find themselves in the unfortunate phase of having to rebuild. Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Patrick Paterson, and PJ Tucker are all free agents going into this offseason and the team could lose all of them. Adebayo is a very good athlete who will be able to excel at rebounding and playing above the rim at both ends of the court. He needs to greatly improve his shooting if he wants to have any impact on offense besides offensive put-backs and lobs. He could turn into a very good defender and rim protector if he receives proper coaching and refines his fundamentals.
24. Utah Jazz: Derrick White
The Jazz could easily lose both Hayward and Hill this off-season and have little to no depth at point guard as Exum hasn’t developed as as quickly as anticipated. White is a big point guard who is generating more interest from teams. He plays with an uncommon fluidity and creativity allowing him to finish at the rim, make tough passes, and score off the dribble. He is not as good of an athlete as the rest of this guard class which will be the biggest reason he falls in the draft. White’s maturity will be able to help fill in for Hill if he plans to leave.
25. Orlando Magic: Rodions Kurucs
The Magic have a mess of a roster and have a lot of bad contracts they need to get off their books. Kurucs is a great draft-and-stash prospect for the Magic to take advantage of while they either wait for those contracts to run out or are able to move these players. Kurucs has top level athleticism, good ball handling, and a high IQ. Allowing him to stay overseas for a year or two will allow him to get stronger and develop consistent shooting form, both of which he desperately needs. As he gets stronger, he will be able to rebound more effectively and play better defense.
26. Portland Trailblazers: Jonathon Jean
The Trailblazers have three picks in this first round and they will need to use one of them on a draft-and-stash prospect or use them in a trade. Jean has a freakish build at 7'2" with a 7'7" wingspan. This pick is based purely on potential as we haven’t seen much from Jean. His thin frame, lack of muscle, and lack of fundamentals lead to him getting bullied on defense and ineffective at scoring in the paint. His shot has really good potential with a few tweaks to his mechanics and he has an extremely high ceiling as a rim-runner in the pick and roll game. After a few more years of development overseas, Jean could turn into a nice piece for the Trailblazers.
27. Brooklyn Nets: Hamidou Diallo
Like I said earlier, the Nets are in a position where they will be able to take some risks to try and find a star with any of their picks. Diallo is a huge risk of a pick here but has tremendous upside. There are few that are as good of an athlete as Diallo. He has no trouble playing above the rim on offense and defense and is strong enough to finish through contact. The biggest issue is that we haven’t seen Diallo play since his senior year of high school. His shot needs a ton of work. He has sloppy mechanics and a late release point. By no means will he be ready to make an impact on day one and the organization will need to be patient and help him develop. If he can refine it to just having a good mid-range game then he will be able to develop into a good player as the Nets continue to build a roster.
28. Los Angeles Lakers: Jarret Allen
Allen is a long, athletic center who measures at 6'10" with a 7'5" wingspan. He shows great ability to develop into a two-way center. For the Lakers, Randle is turning into more of a floor running, stretch four. This will allow Allen to make an impact immediately as a rim-running big man while he continues to develop his jumper. Allen struggles guarding away from the paint and doesn’t like playing physical. He will have to bulk up and get more comfortable with the physicality if he wants to succeed in the NBA.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Josh Hart
This is a classic Spurs pick. Hart has great intangibles and is a well rounded wing. As the Spurs will likely move on from Ginobili soon and as Danny Green ages, look for Hart to earn a consistent role in the rotation. Hart shot 40.4% from behind the arc last year, plays good perimeter defense, and rarely makes the wrong play. While Hart is a mature, developed player, he lacks the creativity and athleticism to create for himself. He is good at absorbing contact but doesn’t have the handles or speed to score off the dribble.
30. Utah Jazz: Jordan Bell
Bell earned himself a lot of money in the tournament proving he is great rebounder and rim protector. Bell is a great athlete who will thrive playing above the rim on both ends. His role will be as a defensive spark plug off the bench but will be able to supply great minutes in place of Gobert. Bell won’t be able to provide much on offense besides rebounding and finishing at the rim. He can’t shoot and commits too many turnovers.
