2017 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Now What?
Published in
16 min readJun 16, 2017
The Draft is only a week away, which means it is time for one last Mock Draft. For the last 8 or so months, I have been attempting to rationalize that my basketball takes are not that bad in comparison to others but after finishing the last Mock Draft for 2017 …… I might have fallen off the deep end.
We are strong believers in the entertainment factor in basketball and not much else …. Here is our final mock draft for 2017.
Now what do we do with our lives?
- Boston Celtics
Markelle Fultz
Washington, Freshman, Elite Lead Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Taller CJ McCollum
Is there anything that hasn’t already been said? Fultz Fultz Baby is bad, bad man and will look amazing in green. - LA Lakers
Lonzo Ball
UCLA, Freshman, Elite Playmaker Wing/Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Bizarro Evan Turner 2.0
Lonzo Ball is talented. In fact, I think he has all-star upside, but not in the role that the media is putting out there. This might sound like a strange comparison, but I often compare his offensive value to that of Marcus Smart’s on defense. Both Smart and Ball can impact games without having a stellar stat line. If Ball is allowed to play off the ball more than he did at UCLA, his high-level IQ can transform him into one of the better glue guys in the league. His ability to make the right read is incredible, and on a team like the Lakers who have two or three ISO players, it will be Ball who keeps the team moving. - Philadelphia 76ers
Josh Jackson
Kansas, Freshman, Elite Two-Way Wing
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Nicolas Batum 2.0
I really wanted to put Ntilikina here just to be different (and I do think he would be a good fit), but Jackson is the second best player in this draft and although he isn’t the best fit next to Simmons, his defense and playmaking ability are too high to pass on. If Jackson is able to mirror the shooting he displayed over the second half of last season than team fit shouldn’t be a problem. Philly will be a fun team to watch next season regardless of draft pick, but adding Jackson to a team with Embiid, Simmons, and Saric will certainly make the internet a happy place. - Phoenix Suns
Jayson Tatum
Duke, Freshman, Offensive Wing
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Harrison Barnes
In a perfect world, Jackson would fall to the Suns and everyone would jump for joy. Unfortunately, I do not see that happening. At least as a consolation prize, the Suns have the opportunity to grab 6'8 ISO king, Jayson Tatum. He is probably built to be a small ball four like Barnes, but with Chriss and Bender already locked in as the young frontline core, it looks like Tatum might be thrown to the wolves out on the perimeter. For all the bad jokes I’ve made about Tatum, he does have some upside on the defensive end. He has a great frame, is more athletic than people give him credit for, and won’t turn 20 until next March. With Tatum and Booker locked in as potential prime scorers, we could be looking at a really great Suns team in the next few years. - Sacramento Viveks
De’Aaron Fox
Kentucky, Freshman, Athletic Two-Way Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Ricky Rubio on Speed
Making fun of the Kings is something I enjoy doing, but if they grab Fox with this pick, it will make me pump the breaks just a little bit. For a team that has a lot of young talent in the frontcourt with WCS, Skal, and the Big Greek Daddy, it is key for the Kings’ front office to pair them with a talented lead guard who looks to attack and distribute the ball. The issues of frame and jump shot have been talked about at length, so I won’t dwell on that here. Instead, I will focus on the Kings finally getting that missing piece to right the ship and potentially lead them out of the darkness. Fox has a great attitude and seems to be very mature for his age from the interviews I have seen. Someone who can control a team both on and off the court is tough to find, especially when it comes to young players. Fox has the ability to do so, and it could be huge for the Kings moving forward. - Orlando Magic
Frank Ntilikina
SIG Strasbourg, Athletic Two-Way Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: George Hillesque
Frank is interesting, and since the Magic just signed the Bucks’ GM, it wouldn’t surprise me if they swung on him. We are talking about a franchise who took Giannis and Thon … this guy has balls. Frank also has talent and matches up pretty well with what the Magic need. Unlike Dennis Smith Jr. who has been talked about at 6, Ntilikina will pair well with Elfrid Payton due to his ability to play both guard spots. He can shoot from range and also can act as a secondary ball handler. What really sets him apart from DSJ and why I think the Magic ultimately go this direction is his ability to defend both guard spots. Wingspan lovers will be all about the International Man of Mystery. - Minnesota Timberwolves
Jonathan Isaac
Florida State, Freshman, Athletic Stretch Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Rashard Lewis
I have been hyped about this pairing for a while, to the point that I’m almost bored with it by now. While part of me hopes Isaac doesn’t land here, in all reality, this is one of the best draft fits out there and it could really help speed up the Timberwolves transition to becoming a playoff team. He looks to have crazy upside due to his elite measurables, but his floor is also crazy high, which is what makes him so damn fascinating of a prospect. His ability to space the floor for KAT and Wiggins will be essential for team growth. Plus, he would look great in a Timberwolves jersey. Okay, I’m officially back on the Isaac and TWolves marriage. - New York Knicks
Malik Monk
Kentucky, Freshman, Prime Offensive Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Lou Williams with Much Bigger Balls
Aside from Fultz and Ball, none of the lead guards are a match with the triangle, and I don’t think Phil Jackson would move away from it for just a single draft pick. Monk has the big time shot making that will help space the floor for the players they already have. He has shown flashes of playing out of the PnR, but I still think he is best suited to be an off guard. With that being said, I do think it would be awesome if he did turn into a lead guard, because his scoring ability combined with his ability to initiate an offense would cause havoc among NBA coaches. - Dallas Mavericks
Dennis Smith Jr.
North Carolina State, Freshman, Prime Athletic Lead Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Steve Francis
The Mavericks really need to strike gold, and I do believe Dennis Smith Jr. is just what they need. It could be a little disjointed at first since both DSJ and Harrison Barnes like to play heavy ISO ball, but his ability to attack the rim might be unmatched among guards this year, and the level of aggression he displays while doing it is insane. What’s even more crazy is that he might not be FULLY recovered from ACL surgery that he had two years ago. If he is able to smooth out his playmaking ability and focus on being a better creator, than we could be looking at a franchise-changing guard. - Sacramento Vlades
OG Anunoby
Indiana, Sophomore, Elite Defensive Wing
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Offensive MKG
Trading for Hield and drafting 10,000 big men over the last few years really forces the Double V’s hands into going after a wing. With both Tatum and Jackson gone, the Kings should target the next wing on the board, OG. Someone like Justin Jackson makes sense here as well, but the Kings need to go for upside and not glue guys. OG is coming off a knee injury, but that’s irrelevant since it is 2017, not 1990. When fully healthy, he is up there with Jackson and Mitchell as one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft. - Charlotte Hornets
Donovan Mitchell
Louisville, Sophomore, Athletic 3-and-D Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Norm Powell
From their lack of explosive bigs to solidifying a young core around Kemba, the Hornets have a lot to figure out. Although Collins and Markkanen are still on the Flagrant 2 board, I think drafting Mitchell is the right pick for Charlotte. Outside of grabbing a young guard to match with Kemba, it also forces them to make a decision on MKG. Batum is a talented defender, but playing out of position as a guard is not doing them any services. Mitchell’s strong frame and ability to hit from deep will be huge for Kemba’s play. - Detroit Pistons
Lauri Markkanen
Arizona, Freshman, Prime Stretch Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Some tall white guy who can’t defend
With talent like Drummond and KCP, the Pistons should be better, but nonetheless, we find them in the lottery. Twitter says that the Pistons want to trade the pick, but if they don’t, grabbing a talented, young stretch big like Markkanen would be huge. All the issues that Markkanen presents can somewhat be mitigated by the athleticism of Drummond. Even with Henry Ellenson on board, I would still draft Markkanen due to the offensive firepower upside he has. Also, Drummkkanen is a great nickname for the duo. - Denver Nuggets
Zach Collins
Gonzaga, Freshman, Raw Two-Way Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Athletic Raef LaFrentz
The Collins hype was something I didn’t want to believe in, but man, is it real. He has a great feel around the rim and looks to be a potential rim protector which would be huge next to Jokic. Along with his defensive upside, pairing him with Jokic would be ideal for the Nuggets due to Collins’ likely ability to stretch the floor. Huge home run here in my opinion. - Miami Heat
TJ Leaf
UCLA, Freshman, Skilled Offensive Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: New Age David Lee
I’ve said it before and I will say it again: I am a TJ Leaf fan. A player like Leaf is best suited to come off the bench and I truly believe that scoring bigs off the bench are the new prototypical sixth man. If Leaf can find himself next to a player like Whiteside, I feel like he can even find some success as a starter. He can hit the midrange jumper with relative ease and hopefully that means stretching it to the three point line. My favorite thing about Leaf, however, is his ability to play in transition. He has good mobility and athleticism to get up the floor. If Dragic is back to pushing the pace, Leaf and him will turn into a great running tandem. - Portland Trail Blazers
Justin Patton
RS Freshman, Creighton, Raw Two-Way Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Larry Sanders
Patton is a tricky player to place; there is a lot to like and dislike about him. Trust me, I know because I overhyped him more than anyone. For someone his size to average only 6 RPG is pretty terrible, and combine that with his below average rim protection and I’m sure you can understand his fall from grace in my eyes. His athleticism and mobility show that he has the potential to be a terror on offense, but he needs time to just figure it all out. If he can, the team drafting him will be in for a pleasant surprise. He might have the highest upside for any of the bigs in this draft, but he also has high bust potential. - Chicago Bulls
Luke Kennard
Duke, Sophomore, Offensive Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Allan Crabbe
If you were to ask me five months ago who I would have pegged for the Bulls, it would have been Terrance Ferguson. I never was the biggest Kennard fan and on earlier mock drafts I probably would have had him 30–40, but after some time, I think it is safe to say that Kennard is a legitimate first round prospect. Kennard would be a happy addition to this Bulls team since he has a ridiculous midrange game. Having that type of player next to an alpha like Jimmy Butler is huge because the lack of shooting on that team this past season must have been infuriating for Butler. Kennard’s ability to knockdown midrange jumpers and play out of the PnR should make him a great role player. - Milwaukee Bucks
Anzejs Pasecniks
Gran Canaria, Skilled Stretch Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Athletic Brook Lopez
The Bucks are the kings of going weird, and this is a very Bucks-like pick. Pasecniks is a 7’3 center with great hands and moves like a guard. Even with Thon on the roster, Pasecniks provides added frontline versatility that the Bucks need. Dreaming about Giannis and Pasecniks running PnRs should make all hoop fans smile with excitement. The only downside between a Maker/Pasecniks pairing is the lack of strength, but hopefully their above average athleticism and length can make up for it. This is the type of bold pick that could be HUGE for the Bucks. - Indiana Pacers
Jordan Bell
Senior, Oregon, Athletic Energy Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Trevor Booker
I originally had Bam here, but as I was writing I noticed I criticized his rim protection and athleticism in comparison to Bell, which made me reevaluate my decision. Sorry Bam, I still love you. The goal for the Pacers here would be to grab a young big to pair with Turner moving forward, and Bell is that guy. Both Turner and Bell are capable rim protectors and are very much the odd couple in terms of NBA type. Turner is the long, stretch five who needs to add strength, while Bell is the grizzled, undersized big who uses his supreme frame to outmuscle people for rebounds. - Atlanta Hawks
Jarrett Allen
Freshman, Texas, Raw Two-Way Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: JaVale McGee
Jarrett Allen screams late bloomer, but I still have concerns about him being able to add muscle to his frame. Someone like Marcus Smart looks like he would rip Allen apart in the post, and I don’t even want to imagine what Zach Randolph or Al Horford would do to him. Allen and Patton are very similar prospects who need time to develop, and the Hawks are an ideal place to do just that. He is obviously a work in progress, but he has shown enough of a midrange game to think he could be at least an average elbow shooter in the pros. If Millsap leaves, however, then Allen might be in trouble, because in no way can Dwight teach him any low post moves. Outside of his ridiculous length and potential midrange game, I don’t see much I like about Allen’s game. Regardless, anyone that has a 7’5ish wingspan and is only 19 should be considered a viable draft pick. - Portland Trail Blazers
Isaiah Hartenstein
Žalgiris Kaunas, Raw Stretch Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Skal Labissiere
Portland has three picks and at least one of them needs to be a draft-and-stash, so why not grab one with significant upside? I believe he is a comparable prospect to Saric in terms of value and production, just not style of play. At this point, it looks like Hartenstein is just a simple stretch big, but after a year or so in Europe, I can see him adding significant muscle to his frame while becoming a better defender. Him and Nurkic could be huge for them in the future. Any team that drafts Hartenstein should put him on the Yabu Plan and send him to China so that he can become uber confident by dominating on athleticism alone. - OKC Thunder
Justin Jackson
Junior, North Carolina Come On and Raise Up, 3-and-D Wing
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Kent Bazemore
Andre Roberson is not working out, and the Thunder need someone who can stretch the floor and play a little defense to help Russ sleep at night. Jackson is that guy. He is a little skinny and it will be difficult for him to stop the upper-echelon wings, but he has great length with a 6’10 wingspan that will definitely benefit him long term. His improved shooting numbers this past season show that he can really be a great complimentary role player for years in this league, giving Russ someone he can finally trust to hit open corner threes. - Brooklyn Nets
Frank Jackson
Freshman, Duke, Lead Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Jay Williams
Jackson is a very intriguing prospect and one that has the potential to be the steal of the draft in five years, although the recent knee surgery is a bummer since we won’t get to see him play in the Summer League. On a team with Whitehead and Spencer Dwindiddle as their “PGs,” a healthy Jackson could supplant them as a starter fairly early in the season. It also helps that Caris LeVert has some skill as a secondary ball handler which should allow Jackson to thrive off-the-ball, something he is more comfortable doing. Alongside LeVert, playing with Brook Lopez will help Jackson gain experience in the PnR, which is one of the more concerning areas when projecting him as a lead guard. - Toronto Raptors
Jonah Bolden
FMP Beograd, Athletic Two-Way Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Boris Diaw/Serge Ibaka hybrid
I don’t know what the Raptors plan on doing in the offseason, but one thing is for sure, they need youth and athleticism. The move for Ibaka made sense on paper, but it didn’t really move the needle all too much. They might need to take a step back from competing in the East and reevaluate what it would take to make a leap in the next few years. Aside from Jonas, they have a good building block defensively in Delon Wright, but they really need someone that can be a serious player. Adding Bolden could be a turning point, and along with Frank Jackson, I do believe he is one of the better sleepers in this draft. The former UCLA player made serious strides this season in Serbia, showcasing his potential as a versatile offensive talent with rim protection upside. His athleticism and mobility will get him noticed, but it his his above average playmaking for his size and age along with his ability to stretch the floor that will make him special. This might seem a little high for Jonah, but we are talking about a team who drafted Bruno at 17 a few years back, and we would be talking differently about Jonah if he stayed at UCLA. The Raptors need to go bold here and not play it safe. - Utah Jazz
Kyle Kuzma
Junior, Utah, Skilled Offensive Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Michael Beasley
I’m a big fan of Kuzma’s game and had him as a late first/early second for most of the year, but after seeing him measure out with a 7’0 wingspan, I had to bring him up into the first round. At 6’9, Kuzma is clearly on the smaller end for someone who translates more as a big man than a wing, but having the Gobert security blanket is key. The defensive issues are apparent, but Kuzma is a highly skilled offensive player who could develop into a mismatch nightmare with time. He is more of a midrange guy right now, but he has the potential to stretch it out to the three point line. - Orlando Magic
Harry Giles
Freshman, Duke, Raw Skilled Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Not Gonna Pretend to Know
Really though, who fucking knows what or who Harry Giles is, but one thing is for sure, he definitely isn’t what we saw on the court at Duke this past season. If there is even an outside chance that Giles turns into the player that people talked about last year, then it would be insane not to grab him at 25. The Magic have a long way to go and having a second pick in the late first is the perfect time to be bold by drafting for upside over immediate production. With guys like Biyombo and Vucevic who are skilled on one end but flawed on the other, Giles brings a happy mix of both. In high school he showed that he can be a scorer and occasionally flashed it during his season at Duke, and with his athleticism slowly creeping back around, his rim protection should improve. - Portland Trail Blazers
Semi Ojeleye
Junior, SMU, Combo Forward
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Non-chubby Anthony Bennett
If Anthony Bennett wasn’t so chubby, then he probably would have found some success in the NBA. How do you know I think so? Because I once had Anthony Bennett as my lockscreen on my iPhone 4 (which is still my current phone, FYI). What made Bennett great in college is what Ojeleye displayed as well. He is a strong combo forward who can score in the paint against smaller wings, but also work out of the PnR and hit the midrange jumper. The one area where Ojeleye is weak is his lack of explosiveness, so taking his man off the dribble might be a no-go for him. This also makes it tough to predict him as anything more than an average defender, but he will still be able to bully some guys on the court. - Brooklyn Nets
Tyler Lydon
Sophomore, Syracuse, Stretch Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Marvin Williams
It is safe to say that the Nets need help at almost every position, but frontcourt depth might be their biggest issue. Outside of Brook Lopez and maybe Trevor Booker, they don’t have any big men with value. Adding a high-level role player like Lydon who has an immediate translatable skill would be a big move for the Nets. His height and shooting skills alone provide enough reasons to draft him. Looking at both positives and negatives, he probably projects as a non-starter, but anything can happen. His defensive upside has been skewed by Boeheim’s crotchetiness in only playing zone, and he has sneaky good athleticism, so his progress as a rim protector will be interesting to watch. However, I should state, I am a Cuse fan, so this could just be my heart talking over my head. - L.A. Lakers
Ike Anigbogu
Freshman, UCLA, Raw Rim Protector Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: DeAndre Jordan
Anigbogu is getting drafted on what he COULD be in three years, rather than what he is as of today. As of right now, he is just an athletic, 18 year old kid with insane measurables who can’t do much else, which is why you see the DeAndre Jordan comp. If Anigbogu does put everything together then we could be looking at a potential defensive juggernaut. His defense should come along a lot faster than his offense due to his instincts and athleticism, but any sort of movement on his offensive production will be a serious addition. - San Antonio Spurs
Johnathan Motley
Junior, Baylor, Energy Big
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Jordan Mickey
I love Johnathan Motley, and I really don’t care who knows it. He is a lively and wiry 6’10 big with length for days. Pair that with his high motor, and you get a impactful NBA player for years. Will he be a superstar, or even a top three option? Definitely not, but his impact will be felt on the things that don’t appear in box scores. He won’t produce very much on the offensive side of the ball, but if he can get scooped up by a team with a strong core and proper coaching, then he will be a success. - Utah Jazz
PJ Dozier
Sophomore, South Carolina, Two-Way Guard
Flagrant 2’s NBA Comparison: Iman Shumpert
I sent out a tweet earlier in the year that said, “If you want to watch Dante Exum, just watch Dozier instead,” and while I still think Dozier has similarities to Exum, I think he plays more into a Shump role. Both have similar value in terms of what they can bring to an offense and what plagues them, but Dozier might have more lead guard skills than Shumpert. Dozier has great length when playing the passing lanes, and has enough mobility to defend most guards. On the other side, Dozier does struggle with his shot, and he could gain to add some weight to absorb contact at the next level.
