The 2017 NBA Draft is two weeks away and the rubber is beginning to meet the road. Most scenarios have been exhausted in some corner of the basketball world but, for the most part, a consensus exists at or near the top of the board. What happens, though, if the Los Angeles Lakers go rogue? Magic Johnson and company have long been rumored to be interested in adding Lonzo Ball to the mix as a local product and mock drafts have followed suit.
Still, there is a growing notion that it isn’t a lock after all and the entire lottery could swing based on that decision.
Let’s explore that scenario in our latest mock draft. Ready, set, go.
1. Boston Celtics – Markelle Fultz (PG, Washington)
The best player in this class goes off the board at No. 1 overall. Novel concept, right? Short of a trade, it would be a shock to pretty much everyone if Danny Ainge went in a different direction here and, frankly, he would be crazy to move away from Markelle Fultz as the point guard of the future in Boston.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – De’Aaron Fox (PG, Kentucky)
Let’s get weird! De’Aaron Fox famously lit up Lonzo Ball and UCLA during an NCAA Tournament showdown and that has been a narrative throughout the process. For me, it is quite silly to weigh one game that heavily but, in the same breath, Fox is a player that I deeply enjoy. Is he a good fit with D’Angelo Russell? Absolutely not, but there is concerns with Ball in that regard as well. No one will be convinced that Fox is going to L.A. until his name is called but it’s not inconceivable and it would be wild theater.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Lonzo Ball (PG/SG, UCLA)
That sound you hear is the Sixers celebrating in a big way. Admittedly, I’m not quite as high on Lonzo as some people in the industry but landing in Philly would be a tremendous fit for all parties. One of my concerns with Ball is that he might not be a traditional, ball-dominant point guard but, if you pair him with Ben Simmons, you get the best of both worlds. Ball would act as a floor-spacer and secondary ball handler while Simmons would be blessed with the ability to maximize his talents. Oh, and the Sixers would be an incredible passing team immediately. Everybody wins.
4. Phoenix Suns – Josh Jackson (SF, Kansas)
This works out beautifully for the Suns, who get what I believe should be “their guy” at No. 4 overall. Jackson might not be a star-level player that you think about with a top-five selection but he is wildly competitive and has the profile of a defensive stopper at the next level. Phoenix’s roster set-up is very strange after their top-10 investments in Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss a year ago but Jackson would help to smooth things over in the future.
5. Sacramento Kings – Dennis Smith (PG, NC State)
Kings fans have fallen in love with the possibility of De’Aaron Fox in this spot but Smith actually has a higher ceiling. The former NC State point guard isn’t quite as safe, though, as motor and defensive questions persist. Still, Smith is the type of player that could be fantastic on the offensive side of the ball and the Sixers would have an athletic force at the point of attack.
6. Orlando Magic – Jayson Tatum (SF, Duke)
A forward tandem of Jayson Tatum and Aaron Gordon would be a lot of fun. There are certainly pundits that are higher on Tatum than I am, but everyone agrees that he can get buckets at the NBA level. With Gordon alongside him, the defensive question marks would be lessened and the Magic need someone to serve as an offensive focal point. Tatum might be able to do that.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jonathan Isaac (PF, Florida State)
If Isaac is available at No. 7 overall and the Wolves pass on him, I’ll be stunned. He’s a perfect (theoretical) fit next to Karl-Anthony Towns as a defensive-minded player that can be flexible and versatile. Beyond that, Isaac has the skills to stretch the defense and, in today’s NBA, he might even be able to serve as a backup center in some alignments. It’s a slam dunk (basketball term).
8. New York Knicks – Malik Monk (SG, Kentucky)
The Knicks are in a (very) odd spot. For me, there is a fairly clear top seven in this class and then a three-man tier below it. On the bright side, the Knicks have their choice of those three players. On the down side, they miss out on the elite crop. Monk isn’t a great triangle fit but, frankly, I don’t care about that and New York could use a floor-spacer, even in a bench role in the early part of his career.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Frank Ntilikina (PG, France)
Rick Carlisle might break Ntilikina but it’s worth a shot. The young point guard has a tantalizing package of skills right now and, if Dallas likes Seth Curry enough to project him as an integral piece moving forward, Ntilikina’s size and versatility would be a nice addition. It’s also nice that he’s the best available player in my view.
10. Sacramento Kings – Lauri Markkanen (C, Arizona)
Visions of pick-and-pop offense between Smith and Markkanen should be enough to get any Kings fan excited. There are questions about Markkanen’s defensive viability but the space that he can provide offensively is extremely rare and I’m still “in” on the sweet-shooting big man as a prospect.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Luke Kennard (SG, Duke)
Remember when the Knicks were in a tough spot at No. 8? This is even a more brutal position. The best player available (Zach Collins) is not a fit in here in my view and the Hornets need a floor-spacer for the future. Kennard is a slight reach, even for me, but he profiles as a nice secondary ball-handler and is the best shooter in this class. Slot him in between Nic Batum and Kemba Walker and it works quite nicely.
12. Detroit Pistons – Donovan Mitchell (SG, Louisville)
The Pistons are an extremely weird team right now but projecting them to take a big man would be silly given the presence of Andre Drummond (although there are rumors the Pistons are dangling him in trade right now). Beyond that, a player like OG Anunoby is underrated in my view but it would be hard to fathom a worse fit with him than Drummond. With that said, Mitchell is my favorite perimeter player available and, even if the Pistons match a contract for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, they could use the spark.
13. Denver Nuggets – OG Anunoby (SF/PF, Indiana)
I’m in love with this fit to the point where I can’t imagine mocking Anunoby anywhere else. It is at least conceivable that he falls below this based on uncertainty but the Nuggets are in a spot where they can afford to take the (mild) risk on a player that would be perfect next to Nikola Jokic if everything goes according to plan. Anunoby is the best defensive prospect in this class.
14. Miami Heat – T.J. Leaf (PF, UCLA)
The Heat present another pivot point because they could do just about anything here. Collins is the best player available but a lot of scouts really like T.J. Leaf and he profiles as a really nice partner for Hassan Whiteside. The defensive concerns are very real but Whiteside can help to mask that and the Heat are also blessed with a ton of athleticism and versatility that should help ease the transition as well.
15. Portland Trail Blazers – Zach Collins (C, Gonzaga)
Finally! Collins sits at No. 11 on my overall board and it is probably closer between him and Markkanen (No. 10) than it is between Collins and anyone else. To translate, the Blazers get a steal here. Everyone is excited about Jusuf Nurkic and with good reason. The Blazers still need quality depth, though, and Collins would provide it in a big way.
16. Chicago Bulls – Justin Jackson (SF, North Carolina)
I almost feel bad mocking Jackson to the Bulls, if only because it would continue a lengthy trend that many Chicago fans do not enjoy. Jackson is a “safe” pick in that I like his defense and trust the jump shot to some degree. What he isn’t, however, is a player with any real upside and it would be a duplicative selection after picking up Denzel Valentine a year ago. Alas, Chicago’s front office tandem remains in place and that opens the door for this projection.
17. Milwaukee Bucks – Jarrett Allen (C, Texas)
Greg Monroe might be back for one more year and the Bucks have a lot of money invested in John Henson. With that said, the center of the future is not on this roster right now. Giannis Antetokounmpo helps to mask that problem but I’m a fan of Allen’s game and he would be a nice long-term project for Milwaukee.
18. Indiana Pacers – Terrance Ferguson (SG/SF, Australia)
Ferguson slips further in this mock than my previous editions and that is a result of some fit issues. I’m still a (very) big fan of his profile and the Pacers should basically be looking for anything outside of the center position in this draft. Ferguson would be a nice floor-spacing addition if Paul George stays and, if he doesn’t, he would fit the timeline of a full-fledged rebuild around Myles Turner.
19. Atlanta Hawks – Jawun Evans (PG, Oklahoma State)
The Hawks have the benefit of the No. 31 overall pick and, with the glut of big man available, Atlanta can afford to go away from the frontcourt with this pick. Dennis Schröder is locked in for four additional seasons but he isn’t necessarily “safe” and the Hawks could use a backup point guard upgrade. For me, Evans is the best available perimeter player as well, which makes this an easy choice.
20. Portland Trail Blazers – Isaiah Hartenstein (PF, Germany)
At some point, the Blazers are likely going to target either a trade or a draft-and-stash player, simply because drafting three guys that will come over immediately doesn’t make a ton of sense with this roster. That leads us to the “best available stash” pick in Hartenstein. I like his game quite a bit and Portland can afford to be extra patient with his development here. It’s a win-win scenario.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Semi Ojeleye (SF, SMU)
Oklahoma City has been closely connected (at least by me) to Jawun Evans, but he’s unavailable in this scenario and it is too early for Monte Morris. That set-up moves us toward floor spacing, where Ojeleye is the best available player. I’m higher than the consensus on the former SMU star but he provides utility in a number of ways and doesn’t need the ball to be effective. That isn’t a bad fit next to Russell Westbrook.
22. Brooklyn Nets – Justin Patton (C, Creighton)
The Nets still have Brook Lopez but they’ll need his replacement soon. Patton would be a nice fit with Brooklyn’s coaching staff and offensive philosophy given his shooting stroke and the upside is very real. It has to be said that the bust potential exists but, at No. 22, you can afford that risk while shooting for the stars.
23. Toronto Raptors – D.J. Wilson (PF, Michigan)
This is an interesting T.J. Leaf landing spot should he plummet but Wilson checks a lot of the same boxes while being even a better athlete. It isn’t a surprise that he’s rising quickly after showing off his athletic profile at the combine but Wilson’s jump shot and theoretical ability to protect the rim in the NBA would be tantalizing for the Raptors.
24. Utah Jazz – Rodions Kurucs (SF, Latvia)
Hartenstein would be another option here if available but Kurucs would be a “1-B” choice as a draft-and-stash player. If all goes according to plan with Gordon Hayward and George Hill returning, the Jazz don’t have a ton of roster holes and wouldn’t be super excited to play a rookie anyway. This way, they don’t have to burn a roster spot and create a very nice future asset.
25. Orlando Magic – Ike Anigbogu (C, UCLA)
The Magic are committed to pay a combined $29-30 million per season to Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo over the next three years. That … isn’t ideal and I get that. It is at least possible, though, that Orlando can find a taker for Vucevic and Anigbogu would be well served to learn defensively under Biyombo. He might not be the highest upside player available (cough, Harry Giles, cough) but Anigbogu is certainly close.
26. Portland Trail Blazers – Monte Morris (PG, Iowa State)
I might be on an island but Monte Morris should be a first-round pick in this class. Portland’s needs aren’t glaring right now but backup point guard is a spot where they could easily improve on Shabazz Napier. Throw in the fact that the Blazers already added two frontcourt pieces and the best available point guard doesn’t look to be at No. 26 overall.
27. Brooklyn Nets – Derrick White (PG/SG, Colorado)
This is White’s first appearance in our mock draft series and he’s a player that a lot of scouts are falling in love with right now. The jury is out as to whether he’s a point guard or an off-guard but, in today’s NBA, that issue isn’t as glaring as it once was. White is extremely skilled and savvy, with the ability to put points on the board and also distribute when needed. He’d be a nice fit with Kenny Atkinson.
28. Los Angeles Lakers – Jordan Bell (PF/C, Oregon)
Defense, defense, defense. Bell might be a mess on the offensive end early in his career but he’ll be a ready-made defender for a team that needs one. Luke Walton’s offensive system should also help to take the pressure off Bell and no one can replicate what he’ll do on the other end. It’s a low-upside pick but we know what Bell will be.
29. San Antonio Spurs – John Collins (PF/C, Wake Forest)
The Spurs have been linked to a lot of “project” big men in this class and that makes sense. San Antonio’s ability to develop and mold talent is unquestioned. With that said, Collins isn’t that. He is, however, a throwback player that is a force on the glass and a highly efficient scorer. If anyone can hide his defensive limitations, it is Gregg Popovich and, while Collins might be gone by No. 29, I love the idea of him in that frontcourt.
30. Utah Jazz – Harry Giles (C, Duke)
We have to account for a scenario in which Giles falls as a result of his injury red flags. That might not happen but, if it does, this could be a soft landing spot. In Utah, he’d have no pressure immediately and the Jazz can afford to take the upside swing necessary to facilitate this pick. If he’s healthy (or close to it), No. 30 for Harry Giles is the steal of all steals. We just don’t know.
