The NBA season is winding down and at least eight teams that have resigned themselves to not making the playoffs, a few teams who are keenly observing where their owed draft picks end up and a few playoff teams who are looking to the end of the draft to shore up their rotations.
This is the first of three mock drafts that 10th year seniors will produce; one before March Madness, One directly after the NBA lottery draw when draft picks become finalized and the final mock leading up the NBA draft on June 22nd 2017.
A few points to note
- This draft rankings are independent from team needs as the draft order changes daily and will be significantly different after the draft lottery
- Rankings will change due to NBA combine measurements. Players such as Malik Monk, Miles Bridges and Bam Adebayo stand most to gain/lose considerably based on their physical measurements
- Rankings will change due to players not declaring for the draft
- NCAA March Madness will inflate high usage players on good teams, particularly point guards, before NBA combine workouts gives a more detailed understanding of lesser known and international players
- Late first round picks are guided more towards team preference as any team as there is functionally little difference between picks 25-35. Teams are increasingly traded their end of first round picks for cash to reduce the amount of guaranteed contracts on their roster but that trend may change since the 2017/2018 NBA cap is not expected to rise as much as earlier anticipated
| PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | POSITION | SCHOOL/REGION | STATUS | PROS | CON |
| 1 | Boston Celtics (via Nets) | Markelle Fultz | 6’4″ | 190 | PG | Washington | Freshman | High upside, immediate NBA production | No significant flaws |
| 2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Lonzo Ball | 6″6 | 190 | PG/SG | UCLA | Freshman | High college production | Slight lack of athleticism |
| 3 | Phoenix Suns | Josh Jackson | 6″8″ | 205 | SG/SF | Kansas | Freshman | High defensive potential | Shot creation off the dribble |
| 4 | Orlando Magic | Jonathan Isaac | 6’10” | 210 | SF/PF | Florida State | Freshman | High defensive potential, 3 point shooting | Very skinny frame |
| 5 | Philadephia 76ers | Malik Monk | 6’3″ | 200 | SG | Kentucky | Freshman | High college production | Slight lack of height |
| 6 | Sacramento Kings | Dennis Smith | 6’2″ | 195 | PG | NC State | Freshman | High athleticism | 3 point shooting |
| 8 | New York Knicks | Lauri Markkanen | 7’1″ | 230 | PF | Arizona | Freshman | High production, 3 point shooting | Low strength |
| 9 | Sacramento Kings (via Pelicans) | Jayson Tatum | 6’8″ | 205 | SF | Duke | Freshman | High NBA floor, smooth offense | Lack of intesity |
| 10 | Minnesota Timberwolves | Frank Ntilikina | 6’5′ | 190 | PG | France | International | High upside | 3 point shooting |
| PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | POSITION | SCHOOL/REGION | STATUS | PROS | CON |
| 11 | Dallas Mavericks | Terrance Ferguson | 6’7″ | 185 | SG/SF | USA | International | High upside | Poor ball handling |
| 12 | Charlotte Hornets | John Collins | 6’10” | 235 | PF/C | Wake Forest | Sophomore | High college production | Low NBA IQ |
| 13 | Portland Trail Blazers | Tyler Lydon | 6’9″ | 220 | PF | Syracuse | Sophomore | Prototype stretch 4 | Low upside |
| 14 | Chicago Bulls | TJ Leaf | 6’10” | 225 | PF | UCLA | Freshman | High NBA IQ | Low strength |
| 15 | Denver Nuggets | Ivan Rabb | 6’10” | 220 | PF/C | California | Sophomore | Steady production, rebounding | Low athleticism, 3 point shooting |
| 16 | Miami Heat | Robert Williams | 6’9″ | 235 | PF/C | Texas A&M | Freshman | High defensive potential | Low NBA IQ |
| 17 | Milwaukee Bucks | De’Aaron Fox | 6’3″ | 175 | PG | Kentucky | Freshman | Floor general, high defensive potential | 3 point shooting |
| 18 | Detroit Pistons | Dwayne Bacon | 6’7″ | 220 | SG/SF | Florida St. | Sophomore | High production | Age |
| 19 | Indiana Pacers | Bam Adebayo | 6’10” | 255 | PF/C | Kentucky | Freshman | High upside, physical tools | Low motor |
| 20 | Atlanta Hawks | Isaiah Hartenstein | 6’11” | 245 | PF | Germany | International | High upside, physical tools | Poor composure |
| PICK | TEAM | PLAYER | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | POSITION | SCHOOL/REGION | STATUS | PROS | CON |
| 21 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Luke Kennard | 6’5″ | 200 | SG | Duke | Sophomore | High college production | Low upside, athleticism |
| 22 | Portland Trail Blazers (via Grizzlies/Nuggets) | Nigel Williams-Goss | 6’3″ | 195 | PG | Gonzaga | Junior | High college production | Low upside |
| 23 | Toronto Raptors | Miles Bridges | 6’6″ | 226 | SF/PF | Michigan State | Freshman | High athleticism | 3 point shooting, lack of height |
| 24 | Orlando Magic (via Clippers/Raptors) | Dillon Brooks | 6’7″ | 225 | SF | Oregon | Junior | All around scoring | Tweener |
| 25 | Utah Jazz | Jordan Bell | 6’9″ | 225 | PF | Oregon | Junior | High defensive potential | Poor fundamentals |
| 26 | Brooklyn Nets (via Celtics) | Johnathan Motley | 6’10” | 230 | PF | Baylor | Junior | High college production | 3 point shooting |
| 27 | Brooklyn Nets (via Wizards) | Grayson Allen | 6’4″ | 180 | SG | Duke | Junior | High college production, athleticism | Mental Issues |
| 28 | Portland Trail Blazers (via Cavaliers) | Caleb Swanigan | 6’9″ | 250 | PF/C | Purdue | Sophomore | High college production | Low athleticism, weight issues |
| 29 | Los Angeles Lakers (via Rockets) | Josh Hart | 6’6″ | 204 | SG | Villanova | Senior | High college production | Low upside |
| 30 | San Antonio Spurs | Jonathan Jeanne | 7’2″ | 190 | C | France | International | High upside, high athleticism | Low strength, high bust potential |
