2017 NBA Draft Predictions
It has already been a crazy week in the NBA and the Draft has yet to occur. This is not what I would do, but rather how I think the teams will select. My 2017 NBA Mock Draft:
1. Philadelphia 76ers - Markelle Fultz. The 76ers traded up with the Celtics in order to select a dynamic guard. There is not a more dynamic guard in the draft than Fultz. A nucleus of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Fultz would (and will) be downright frightening.
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Lonzo Ball. I think it would be hilarious if the Lakers were to pass on Ball. With all of his father's antics it would just be hysterical to see. With that being said, they won't. Lonzo will be the Lakers pick at 2. I am a bit skeptical of how his game - specifically his scoring - will translate at the next level, but his vision and playmaking ability are too great for Magic Johnson and company to pass up.
3. Boston Celtics - Jayson Tatum. Danny Ainge traded down from the top spot to number three. He felt as though the player that he coveted would be available with the third pick, so rather than using the first selection, he traded down and accumulated more draft capital. While he may be right, I am not so sure that Tatum is the Celtics best option. He seems a bit redundant, especially after drafting another small forward in Jaylen Brown just a year ago.
4. Phoenix Suns - De'Aaron Fox. A backcourt of Fox and Devin Booker? Hello! They will have the chance to be special. Pair that backcourt with a young and developing frontcourt of Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender, and the Suns will be well positioned for the foreseeable future.
5. Sacramento Kings - Josh Jackson. If Jackson had a jump shot he would be the number one overall pick. He is uber-athletic, he has an incredible motor, and has a willingness to defend multiple positions. The Kings have been dysfunctional for a long time. Jackson might be the ingredient to turn their franchise around.
6. Orlando Magic - Malik Monk. Shooters shoot. Think of Monk in the same vein as J.R. Smith. Monk, despite his thin frame, is a lethal scorer. Perhaps the best shooter the draft has seen since (dare I say) Steph Curry. Now obviously Monk is not Curry, but he can light it up from distance like the two-time league MVP.
7.Minnesota Timberwolves - Jonathan Isaac. Isaac might have the most upside of any player in this draft. If all goes according to plan, I could see Isaac becoming a Kevin Durant-lite. If that happens to be the case, Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and another potent athlete like Isaac could propel the Timberwolves into the upper-tier of the Western Conference.
8. New York Knicks - Frank Ntilikina. I am not going to lie, I don't know much about this kid. He comes from France and Phil Jackson loves him. That probably isn't a good sign based on Jackson's recent track record. I think Frank will be a good defender, but the Knicks need so much more than that.
9. Dallas Mavericks - Lauri Markkanen. This would be an ideal landing spot for the 7 foot Finnish forward. Markkanen could become Dirk's protege. Who better to learn from than the German?
10. Sacramento Kings - Dennis Smith Jr. This kid is an absolute freak athletically. He reportedly recorded a 48" vertical in a private workout with the Lakers which comes as no surprise after seeing him hanging from rims across the ACC in his only year in college. If this is how it pans out and the Kings wind up with Josh Jackson and Dennis Smith Jr. they might not be a playoff team, but they would certainly be worth watching.
