NBA: 2017 Mock Draft 1.0

The NBA Draft Combine occurred in Chicago on May 9, 2017. The NBA Draft Lottery took place on May 16, 2017, in which the Boston Celtics earned the #1 pick, before trading it away to the Philadelphia 76ers for the #3 pick and future selections. And the actual NBA Draft will be held on June 22, 2017. Below is my 2017 First Round Mock Draft Version.

1. Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz (Washington G): Fultz was one of the best freshman in the country, but went largely under-the-radar because his team was bad. However, his 23.2 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game are hard to ignore. He is all but assured the top selection, after the 76ers traded their #3 pick, and two future draft selections to the Celtics, in order to take the former-Washington guard. Fultz, alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, have Philly fans excited again.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball (UCLA G): Ball is a terrific talent, averaging 14.6 points and 7.6 assists in his lone season for the Bruins. Although, if he was drafted by the Laker, they would likely move either D’Angelo Russell or Jordan Clarkson to make room for their point guard of the future. If I’m Magic Johnson, I’d be taking De’Aaron Fox with this pick, but everything points to the Lakers taking either Ball or Josh Jackson, and I think they’ll land on the former UCLA-guard.

3. Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum (Duke F): Tatum already has a NBA-type body and range. I’m not a NBA general manager, but if I was, I’d take him a lot higher than his stock suggests. When Boston dealt their #1 slot to move down. If Danny Ainge keeps this pick (which he may not) in an effort to trade for Jimmy Butler or Paul George, he’ll take Tatum. Tatum will try to fit alongside Jaylen Brown on the perimeter for Brad Stevens' club.

4. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson (Kansas F): Jackson came into the season as one of a handful of players that were considered to be possible #1 picks, and he is still near the top of the board. Jackson was able to stay focused after struggling for the first few weeks of the season, and finished with 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. According to multiple reports, the Suns are fixated on Ball and Jackson and we have the former already being off the drafted.

5. Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox (Kentucky G): Fox is already a great passer, if he can hit outside shots consistently in the NBA, he’ll be a big-time player. Since his Sweet Sixteen game against Ball and UCLA, in which he dropped 39 points and four assists, he has shot up the draft boards. I had Fox going to the 76ers before the blockbuster trade, but now he'll probably slide to #5. Sacramento will be pleased, though, because they’ve been saying for weeks that Fox is their guy.

6. Orlando Magic: Dennis Smith Jr. (NC State G): Smith Jr. was higher in each of my last two mock drafts, but because of the rise of De’Aaron Fox, the NC State-guard has slid a bit. But his 18.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds are good enough to nab him a top-10 pick and we have him going to Orlando. The Magic haven't had a consistent lead guard since Jameer Nelson and Smith could be the guy to take over.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonathan Isaac (Florida State F): Isaac put up solid numbers during his freshman year in Tallahassee, but the potential upside is what has NBA executives salivating. He is 6’10, 210-pounds, and has the ability to stretch the floor which is becoming more and more necessary in today’s league. Imagine a lineup of Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Isaac, and Karl Anthony-Towns in five years.

8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina (France G): Ntilikina is a solid point guard, but I’m not sold on his potential translating to the NBA game. There are a ton of signal callers in front of him but he should be the fifth point guard selected, which will most likely still be in the top-10. If he isn’t taken by Sacramento or Orlando, New York should snatch him up. With Kristaps Porzingis quickly becoming an All-Star, the Knicks fanbase may be more open to another international draft pick.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Malik Monk (Kentucky G): Monk is one of the premier scorers in the nation at the college level and if it can translate to the league, he should fit in nicely. However, his on-ball defense needs improvement. Dallas needs a pure scorer to go with Harrison Barnes and Dirk Nowitzki. It's almost certain that the Mavericks will select a guard and if it's not Monk then other options are Ntilikina, Smith, and Donovan Mitchell.

10. Sacramento Kings: Zach Collins (Gonzaga F): Collins’ draft stock increased exponentially in the Final Four matchup against South Carolina where he went for 14 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks. It was enough to make him leave for the big time after just one year in Spokane. Sacramento will be looking for a big man after getting a perimeter player with their #5 pick and Collins looks to be the best of the bunch. According to reports, the Kings are also willing to trade the pick.

11. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Mitchell (Louisville G): Mitchell is all the way up to #11 after not appearing in either of my first two mock drafts. He has been the biggest riser since the end of the NCAA Tournament and in his sophomore year at Louisville, Mitchell averaged 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He is arguably the most athletic player in this class, and should end up somewhere later in the lottery.

12. Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard (Duke G): Kennard went from a secret on Duke’s team of All-Americans, to the leader of the pack. I didn't expect him to forgo his junior and senior year but he has been impressing scouts during his pre-draft workouts. Detroit needs more scoring and outside shooting and that is exactly what Kennard brings. According to reports, though, the Pistons are also shopping this pick for a veteran guard if possible.

13. Denver Nuggets: Jarrett Allen (Texas C): Allen was a force to be reckoned with in the ladder half of the season. If you watched Texas play during the first month of the year, you’d be questioning this pick but in the last three months, he was pretty dominant. Allen had two of his better performances against the top of the Big 12, with an average of 19.8 points and 12.3 rebounds against Baylor and Kansas, spanning over four games. Denver could use another big man to protect the rim.

14. Miami Heat: Lauri Markkanen (Arizona C): Markkanen is athletic, long, and can shoot from outside. Miami needs a stretch-four to pair with Hassan Whiteside in the frontcourt, and drafting a scoring threat like Markkanen may also make the Heat more attractive to free agent Gordon Hayward, who Miami has been linked to recently. Markkanen could go higher but a team would likely have to trade up to do so. John Collins and Bam Adebayo are also options here.

Other Selections:

15. Portland: John Collins (C)

16. Bulls: Justin Jackson (SF)

17. Bucks: TJ Leaf (PF)

18. Pacers: OG Anonoby (SF)

19. Hawks: Justin Patton (C)

20. Portland: Harry Giles (PF)

21. Thunder: Terrance Ferguson (SG)

22. Nets: Bam Adebayo (C)

23. Raptors: Semi Ojeleye (SF)

24. Jazz: Jawun Evans (PG)

25. Magic: Dwayne Bacon (SG)

26. Portland: Ivan Rabb (PF)

27. Nets: Rodions Kurucs (SF)

28. Lakers: Josh Hart (SG)

29. Spurs: Isaiah Hartenstein (PF)

30. Jazz: Caleb Swanigan (PF)

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report.