The Unbalanced Ultimate NBA Mock Draft
Unbalanced staff got together and made a NBA Mock Draft…for the ages
Ahead of the 2017 NBA Draft, The Unbalanced’s basketball staff executed a first round mock that included a multitude of trades. Each writer had control over a number of teams, and made moves that they thought were best for each franchise.
The writers involved were Zach Gothard, Stone Strankman, Brett Gallant, Charles Maniego, Michael DePrisco, Dan O’Shea, and Tony Heim.
1. Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz, PG/SG
Markelle Fultz is exactly the player the 76ers need. His ability to shoot the three (40%) and the ability to create off the dribble is James Harden like. Look for Fultz to make NBA fans miserable for years to come.
2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG
With the recent reports of Paul Goerge’s desire to play in LA, Josh Jackson no longer makes sense. The Ability to put Russell off the ball is also enticing. Ball is exactly the type of point guard the lakers need with his ability to distribute and his size.
3. Indiana Pacers: Josh Jackson, SG/SF
*Pacers trade Paul George to Boston for 3rd pick and BOS 2018 first round pick
With Paul George now in Boston, Indiana needs a new wing and none might be better than Josh Jackson. He can be an elite defender early on and as his jump shots improve he will turn into one of the better two way players in the NBA.
4. Phoenix Suns: Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF
The Suns are already guard heavy with Bledsoe, Booker among others. Isaac adds length to Phoenix and fills a much needed small forward spot. Kevin O’Conner has him listed as a longer Harrison Barnes and maybe that’s exactly what Phoenix needs to jumpstart a winning franchise.
5. Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox, PG
The Kings already have Buddy to score at the two, but in a point guard heavy league, they can’t pass up on another guard here. Fox is a gamer who actually brings a winning attitude, and defense, to a team that badly needs it. Plus, Fox and Willy Trill in the pick and roll for the next few years would be a blast.
6. Orlando Magic: Jayson Tatum, SF
At this point, the Magic just have to draft the best player available. They are a little bit loaded with forwards who can score with Hez and Aaron Gordon and can use a guard, but Smith would be a reach here. Tatum gives them the go-to scorer they need while the rest of their athletic and raw young guns figure out their role.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Dennis Smith Jr., PG/SG
The Timberwolves already have Kris Dunn and Zach Lavine at the guard positions, but have to continue to take the best player available until they have their core figured out. Smith has a ton of talent and can score the ball from bot guard positions. Minnesota would have no shortage of offense by adding Smith to their young team.
8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina, PG
Phil Jackson drafted the unknown Kristaps Porzingis in 2015 and got tons of heat for it, so it makes sense for Jackson to take the unknown foreign point guard to eternally piss off tortured Knicks fans. Ntilikina is a good defensive first guard but most of his offensive game, and quite frankly his entire game are a mystery to most everyone in this draft.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Malik Monk, SG
Monk embodies what is most valued in the NBA, and that’s shooting. To have Monk drop to 9 is a gift for a Mavericks team that is dying for a resurgence of youth. He’s the best player available, and is has the potential to score a lot of points in the NBA.
10. Sacramento Kings: Lauri Markkanen, PF
After picking the point guard of the future in Fox, the Kings can take a chance on an extremely athletic big who can score. Having a big man who can stretch the floor is huge in today’s NBA. With Fox running the show and WCS throwing down alleys and doing his best DeAndre Jordan impression, Markkanen will have plenty of space to put up Saric-like numbers his rookie year.
11. Charlotte Hornets: Justin Jackson, SG/SF
The Hornets are arguably in the worst position of any NBA organization. They aren’t young, they don’t have much cap space but they’re still in the lottery. Justin Jackson can immediately step in and make a positive impact, a statement you can’t make with anybody else on the board.
12. Detroit Pistons: Donovan Mitchell, PG/SG
The Pistons need to add as much talent and potential as they can as they find themselves with a below average roster and cap situation. Mitchell is an athletic freak who can score the ball off the dribble and make plays on the offensive end. Detroit could use him as their relief for Reggie Jackson induced headaches.
13. Denver Nuggets: Luke Kennard, SG
Denver has young talent at nearly every position, but besides Gary Harris, not much shooting. Kennard is arguably the best shooter in the draft, giving Nikola Jokic another offensive weapon to create magic with.
14. Miami Heat: John Collins, PF/C
John Collins was one of college basketball’s most productive big men at Wake Forest last season. He rebounded like a madman and finished inside with toughness. If Collins develops a jump shot, he’d be an athletic, exciting option to pair with a team that nearly made the playoffs with Dion Waiters, Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic as their best players.
15. Portland Trail Blazers: Bam Adebayo, PF/C
The Blazers displayed last year that Jusuf Nurkic couldn’t be their only rim protector. Adebayo is attracting Bismack Biyombo comparisons and could fill that second big man rim protector for the duo of Lillard and McCollum that Portland so desperately needs.
16. Chicago Bulls: OG Anunoby, SF
The Bulls lacked wing depth behind Jimmy Butler this season, and could add Anunoby as a defensive weapon off the bench to help the veterans on the roster who need less of a burden on that end of the floor. Anything of an offensive skill set Onunoby develops is gravy for Chicago here.
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Zach Collins, C
This is a perfect fit. With the emergence of Thon Maker late in the season it only makes sense to pair him with a more polished big who can step his game outside of the paint.
18. Indiana Pacers: Harry Giles, PF/C
I mean, why not swing at this point? Giles has loads of potential and you already grabbed your franchise player earlier in the round. Indiana needs as much talent as possible, why not swing for the fences? Indiana comes away with Jackson and Giles to kickstart their rebuild with Myles Turner.
19. Atlanta Hawks: TJ Leaf, PF
As Paul Milsap looks for the max the Hawks will look for a happy middle ground. If they cant the lack of depth at the Power Forward position may need to be addressed. TJ leaf is a big who can step out and not clog the lane. Allowing Dwight the liberty to sit in the paint and do whatever it is that Dwight is good at.
20. Portland Trail Blazers: Terrance Ferguson, SG/SF
Ferguson was an in demand recruit coming out of high school but opted to play in Australia in stead of college. He’s a wildcard, but he’s an exceptional athlete and it should transfer to the next level.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Semi Ojeleye, SF/PF
Semi Ojeleye to Oklahoma City is the Thunder fans dream. He’s a high character, athletic freak poised to be a 3-and-D wing for years to come. The Thundet are desperate for two way perimeter players and Semi is the safest bet left.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Anzejs Pasecniks, PF/C
Pasecniks is probably the most intriguing International big in the draft. He’s long, fluid and Latvian (don’t call him Porzingis). He has a ton of potential. The Nets need athletes and length at their big spots. Pasecniks provides that.
23. Toronto Raptors: Derrick White, PG
With Kyle Lowry more than likely finding a new home come this offseason, it might be time for the Raptors to look toward to future at the point guard position. Derrick White has been flying up draft boards as of recently due to his size and playmaking ability at the 1 spot. He should be able to contribute at relatively simple level right away.
24. Utah Jazz: Jonah Bolden, SF
Bolden is a long, raw, international prospect with tons of potential, but it’s up to the right team to unlock that. Utah has a propensity for taking players of this ilk (see Rudy Gobert, Dante Exum) as well. Alongside Gobert the two could make up the most devastating defensive front court in a few years.
25. Orlando Magic: Jawun Evans, PG
Even though the Magic have Elfrid Payton, they need a guard that can score on command. Oklahoma State was the 5th best scoring team in the nation last season, without a single NBA caliber player on the team besides Evans. He can score from wherever and take over the second unit until he takes Payton’s job.
26. Brooklyn Nets: Isaiah Hartenstein, PF
*Portland Receives Sean Kilpatrick, Trevor Booker for #26, Meyers Leonard, Mo Harkless, and Festus Ezeli
Hartenstein is a player that the Nets have seemingly had their eye on. While the Nets did select Anzejs Pasecniks earlier, Hartenstein could take longer to develop and could make for a nice front court tandem post-Brook Lopez.
27. Brooklyn Nets: Wesley Iwundu, SG/SF
The Nets are reaching here. The Nets not only need talent in their big slots, but also at the wings as well. Iwundu has a really interesting skill set. He’s athletic, he can pass and he can shoot — but he’s not particularly dominant. Iwundu may be a bit older, but he would be an excellent role player for Brooklyn.
28. Los Angeles Lakers: Justin Patton, C
He’s not a player who can step in right away and dominate but his post presence at an early age is too much for him to get passed on here. With Zubac being the only real center going forward for the Lakers look for them to add depth here. Swanigan may also be in play.
29. San Antonio Spurs: Ike Anigbogu, C
The Spurs went with the high upside pick last year in Dejounte Murray, and they’ll go the same route with Anigbogu. He has elite size for his position and was efficient in limited time with UCLA. If developed like Murray, Anigbogu could be a very good player for Gregg Popovich.
30. Utah Jazz: Frank Jackson, PG
Frank Jackson was one of the biggest recruits coming out of high school. While a bit underwhelming at Duke his athleticism and scoring ability’s didn’t go unseen. He’s a bit undersized and needs to develop more as a playmaker but at the bare minimum he can put the ball in the basket.
