Chad Ford NBA Mock Draft 2017: Notable Picks from ESPN Guru's 2nd Mock

ESPN.com NBA draft guru Chad Ford released his second mock draft of the season on Tuesday despite the year being less than halfway completed. 

But it's never too early to start thinking ahead, as Ford's predictions can be seen below:

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Philadelphia 76ers	Markelle Fultz	G	Washington
2	Boston Cletics (via Nets)	Lonzo Ball	G	UCLA
3	Phoenix Suns	Josh Jackson	F	Kansas
4	Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)	Malik Monk	G	Kentucky
5	Miami Heat	Dennis Smith	G	NC State
6	Dallas Mavericks	Frank Ntilikina	G	France
7	Orlando Magic	Jayson Tatum	F	Duke
8	Minnesota Timberwolves	Harry Giles	F	Duke
9	New Orleans Pelcians	Jonathan Isaac	F	Florida St.
10	Sacramento Kings	De'Aaron Fox	G	Kentucky
11	Denver Nuggets	Miles Bridges	F	Michigan St.
12	New York Knicks	OG Anunoby	F	Indiana
13	Indiana Pacers	Lauri Markkanen	F	Arizona
14	Chicago Bulls	Terrance Ferguson	G	Australia
15	Portland Trail Blazers	T.J. Leaf	F	UCLA
16	Washington Wizards	Robert Williams	F	Texas A&M
17	Detroit Pistons	Jarrett Allen	C	Texas
18	Atlanta Hawks	Ivan Rabb	F	Cal
19	Milwaukee Bucks	Edrice Adebayo	F	Kentucky
20	Charlotte Hornets	Luke Kennard	G	Duke
21	Denver Nuggets (via Grizzlies)	Rodions Kurucs	F	Latvia
22	Oklahoma City Thunder	Tyler Lydon	F	Syracuse
23	Utah Jazz	Marques Bolden	C	Duke
24	Brooklyn Nets (via Celtics)	Omer Yurtseven	C	NC State
25	Toronto Raptors (via Clippers)	Isaiah Hartenstein	F	Germany
26	Houston Rockets	Jawun Evans	G	Oklahoma St.
27	Toronto Raptors	Ike Anigbogu	C	UCLA
28	Cleveland Cavaliers	Tony Bradley	C	North Carolina
29	San Antonio Spurs	Josh Hart	G	Villanova
30	Utah Jazz (via Warriors)	Kostja Mushidi	G	Belgium

Notable Picks

Markelle Fultz, G, Washington

Ford's Prediction: No. 1

It's difficult to decipher a clear-cut No. 1 pick for the June 22 draft, but Ford believes that the Philadelphia 76ers will have the top selection and will go with Markelle Fultz.  

The 6'4" Maryland native is one of numerous highly touted freshmen who will likely head to the NBA next year, but he is one of the best. 

In 13 games this season, Fultz has averaged 22.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game as a versatile athlete who can play the 1, 2 or 3:

He can shoot from distance with a 45.5 three-point field-goal shooting percentage but isn't afraid to penetrate the defense and show his aggression near the basket. 

That all-around style of play would be a welcomed addition alongside Ben Simmons and the 76ers' numerous young big men to help round out the roster and start the organization's ascent up the standings in the Eastern Conference. 

Lonzo Ball, G, UCLA

Ford's Prediction: No. 2

Another freshman in the Pac-12, UCLA's Lonzo Ball has been nothing short of electrifying so far this season. 

He is a 6'6" point guard who can run the floor and dish the rock, as evident by his 8.1 assists per night. But he can also jump out of the gym as a high-flyer near the rim, via the Pac-12 Network:

Thanks to the Brooklyn Nets' struggles, the Boston Celtics might have a chance to draft him at No. 2 overall. 

Even though Boston does have a crowded backcourt, especially at the point guard position with Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier and Demetrus Jackson, Ball's all-around excellence could be too much for the Celtics to pass up.

Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State

Ford's Prediction:  No. 11

An ankle injury has held Michigan State forward Miles Bridges out for the last seven games, but he is expected to return on Wednesday against Rutgers, per Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News. 

That gives him plenty of time to raise his draft stock considering that he is one of the most explosive talents expected to declare for the 2017 draft. 

The 6'7" freshman is unstoppable near the basket when he's at his best and can turn a game on its head thanks to his athleticism, via SportsCenter:

But he's also a decent facilitator, as he's averaged two assists per game alongside his 16.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. 

Those kinds of intangibles will be difficult to pass up, even if he does have some more maturing to do. 

Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.