NBA Mock Draft 2017: Version 1.0

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

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