NBA Draft 2017: Mock Draft and Teams That Could Make Surprising Selections
There's a unique drama surrounding the 2017 NBA draft on June 22. It starts at the top with former UCLA star Lonzo Ball—not necessarily him as a player—but his support group, namely his father causing a ruckus on the media waves.
Ultimately, it's unclear if the noise could cost Ball a few spots in the draft or not. Then again, it's possible teams could be entering the bluff stage as we inch closer to decision time.
Many expect the Los Angeles Lakers to take Ball with the No. 2 overall pick. In a scenario in which team president Magic Johnson passes on the highly touted point guard, a mini-draft slide could set in for the talented 19-year-old. As a result, trade possibilities come into play as well as alternative spots for the collegiate standout.
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Assuming Washington product Markelle Fultz goes to the Boston Celtics at No. 1. We'll explore the chaos that would ensue if the Lakers decide to draft a player other than Ball.
2017 Round 1 NBA Mock Draft
1. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn): Markelle Fultz, G, Washington
2. Los Angeles Lakers: De'Aaron Fox, G, Kentucky
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Malik Monk, G, Kentucky
4. Phoenix Suns: Lonzo Ball, G, UCLA
5. Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia): Dennis Smith Jr., G, NC State
6. Orlando Magic: Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Donovan Mitchell, G, Louisville
8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina, G, France
9. Dallas Mavericks: Lauri Markkanen, F, Arizona
10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans): Jayson Tatum, F, Duke
11. Charlotte Hornets: Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State
12. Detroit Pistons: Justin Jackson, F, North Carolina
13. Denver Nuggets: Dwayne Bacon, F, Florida State
14. Miami Heat: Ivan Rabb, F, California
15. Portland Trail Blazers: Caleb Swanigan, F, Purdue
16. Chicago Bulls: Sindarius Thornwell, G, South Carolina
17. Milwaukee Bucks: Jordan Bell, F, Oregon
18. Indiana Pacers: Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga
19. Atlanta Hawks: Jarrett Allen, C, Texas
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis): John Collins, F, Wake Forest
21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jawun Evans, G, Oklahoma State
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington): Jonathan Jeanne, C, France
23. Toronto Raptors (L.A. Clippers): Bam Adebayo, F, Kentucky
24. Utah Jazz: Terrance Ferguson, G, Australia
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto): Josh Hart, G, Villanova
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland): PJ Dozier, G, South Carolina
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston): D.J. Wilson, F, Michigan
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston): Justin Patton, C, Creighton
29. San Antonio Spurs: Luke Kennard, G, Duke
30. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Harry Giles, F, Duke
The Los Angeles Lakers Send Shockwaves with De'Aaron Fox Pick
Before dismissing the Kentucky product De'Aaron Fox as the potential No. 2 overall pick. Huffington Post columnist Jordan Schultz dropped a draft rumor via Twitter:
Whether the rumor holds true or not, the speculation opens the door to new permutations within the top five picks. The Lakers may opt to select Fox, who comes in with fewer outside distractions. It also helps that the 6'4" guard outplayed Ball in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament.
Fox would pair with D'Angelo Russell in the Lakers backcourt. The two versatile guards could interchange positions based on matchups, which would allow head coach Luke Walton to exercise his creativity with a young squad.
At the end of last season, Russell flourished in a career-high performance at the 2-guard alongside Jordan Clarkson. The incoming rookie isn't the most polished facilitator, but he knows how to set up an offense and showed overall improvements throughout his freshman campaign.
Despite an unreliable three-point shot and raw skills as a true point guard, Fox's upside could vault him over the sideshow that comes with Ball's camp. It's also worth mentioning the UCLA product has questionable shooting mechanics with a low starting point.
Kentucky Wildcats Go Back to Back at Nos. 2 and 3
The Kentucky program could be the biggest winner as a result of a slight slide for Ball within the top five. Philadelphia 76ers personnel executive Bryan Colangelo talked about the need for shooters in the current league on Friday's 94WIP Carlin and Reese Show (h/t CSNPhilly.com).
"You never have too many shooters," Colangelo said. "You need shooters on the court if you want to play any kind of style in today's world of the NBA."
Colangelo also spoke on Ball and his father LaVar.
"I think it's going to be challenging with the people around him without being specific, and yet I don't think teams should bypass the player because they have those concerns," Colangelo said. "I think at the end of the day what wins in this league is talent and this is a very talented young man."
We can't assume Colangelo will skip on Ball due to an outspoken father, but his first comment emphasized the need for shooters. At his best, Ball knows to how to set up an offense for fast-paced success.
The Bruins averaged 89.8 points per game last season. UCLA ranked second in overall points scored (3,233) with Ball orchestrating the offense, but he's not a projected self-sufficient scorer on the professional level.
As shown in the DraftExpress video package above, he struggles with mid-range shooting and in isolation.
The Sixers hope to have Ben Simmons, who projects as a quality distributor on the court for his debut in the upcoming season, but the team needs to surround him with sharpshooters to maximize the 6'10" forward's court vision and hide his deficiencies as a three-level scorer.
Malik Monk headlines the draft among shooters. The reigning SEC Player of the Year converted a shade below 40 percent on three-point attempts. His team-leading 19.8 points per game propelled Kentucky to success alongside Fox.
The 6'4" guard would provide a scoring alternative to Simmons or as the secondary ball-handler at the 1.
Lonzo Ball Falls to Phoenix Suns at No. 4
Before the Phoenix Suns' draft lottery misfortune of getting No. 4 in the selection order, the team had their eyes set on Ball more so than Fultz, per John Gambadoro on the Burns and Gambo show (h/t Bright Side of the Sun writer Dave King).
"Gambo states his latest intel from inside the Suns front office say they rank Ball No. 1 overall on their draft board at this time," King said.
Conventional wisdom suggests the Suns gave up on envisioning Ball in their lineup with the No. 4 overall pick. However, Schultz's rumor puts Phoenix back into play for their speculated top guy.
Trade rumors surrounding Eric Bledsoe will likely feed into the Suns' outside chance at landing the flashy point guard. Alongside Devin Booker, Phoenix would have one of the most intriguing backcourts in the league with a quality distributor able to play in space with a budding sharpshooter who led his team with 22.1 points per game at 20 years old.
Stats provided by NBA.com and Basketball Reference unless otherwise noted.
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