Best Potential Fits for Top 2017 NBA Draft Prospects

The right NBA fit could jump-start a rookie career, and the 2017 NBA draft on June 22 features a lot of great prospects looking for such a fit.

General managers must take into account more than just talent when evaluating their draft options. Positional conflicts or contrasting styles of play could hinder a prospect's development. Meanwhile, some players would benefit from supporting talent and smaller workloads. Others need immediate reps and playing time.

Being able to grab a player who fills a need and suits the system is ideal.

I matched top-10 prospects with the teams that provide them the best settings to maximize their potential. The only ones eligible to match with Washington's Markelle Fultz, North Carolina State's Dennis Smith Jr., Duke's Harry Giles and Kansas' Josh Jackson were those I projected to pick in the top five next year.

10. Lauri Markkanen (Arizona, PF/C): Portland Trail Blazers

Future potential starting lineup

PG: Damian Lillard

SG: C.J. McCollum

SF: Evan Turner

PF: Al-Farouq Aminu

C: Lauri Markkanen 

It's tough to picture the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference playoffs with a frontcourt consisting of Evan Turner, Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee. Scoring and shot-making will be an issue, considering Portland's starting forwards and center combined to average under 30 points a game last season.

A versatile 7-footer with a convincing three-point stroke, Lauri Markkanen has the potential to give the Blazers the offense and spacing they need.

He's a strong shooter for an incoming freshman, which he's consistently shown during FIBA tournaments over the past three years (39.4 percent from deep). But he's also flashed face-up drives and post moves that could take his ceiling higher.

Markkanen has the size, foot speed and skill set to play minutes at the 4 or 5, so head coach Terry Stotts would have the luxury of going big or small.

9. Ivan Rabb (California, PF/C): Dallas Mavericks

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Potential future starting lineup

PG: Deron Williams

SG: Wesley Matthews

SF: Justin Anderson

PF: Harrison Barnes

C: Ivan Rabb

At some point, the Dallas Mavericks have to start thinking about Dirk Nowitzki's replacement, and the 2017 draft would be a good time. California's Ivan Rabb could be available in the mid-to-late lottery, where a Harrison Barnes-led team looks destined to wind up.

Rabb would give the Mavs a shot of athleticism up front, something they won't have in 2016-17 with Nowitzki and Andrew Bogut starting at the 4 and 5. Rabb's size (6'11", 220 lbs) and motor around the basket, along with his mobility and developing mid-range game, suggest he can log minutes at either frontcourt position.

Though he'll be far from a finished product, he'd be coming to Dallas after two years at California, where averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game his freshman year. He'll be ready to run and can physically compete as a rookie. If Nowitzki finally hangs them up, Rabb's rise to the starting lineup could come quickly, given the Mavericks' lack of big-man depth.

Immediate reps would benefit Rabb, who'll be looking to build off a breakout season and continue sharpening his post game and touch. Pairing him with Barnes as the power forward would let Rabb play to his strengths as a small-ball center while the Mavericks play faster.

8. Marques Bolden (Duke, C): Charlotte Hornets

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Potential future starting lineup

PG: Kemba Walker

SG: Nicolas Batum

SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

PF: Frank Kaminsky

C: Marques Bolden

The Charlotte Hornets have pieces but not enough to compete for a playoff spot. They need to hit on a big man in this year's draft after missing on their selection of Cody Zeller and losing Al Jefferson in free agency.

Duke's projected starting center looks like the best one in 2017's field. At 6'11", 245 pounds, Marques Bolden brings unteachable size, 7'6" length and fluid athleticism. Active around the rim and ferocious on the offensive glass, Bolden would give the Hornets a nimble yet physical presence in the middle.

He'd be a fit alongside stretch big man Frank Kaminsky, who's more comfortable outside and needs a longer, stronger, interior 5-man to play off.

Bolden is raw, but he's flashed promising back-to-the-basket skills, as well as a knack for timing his cuts, his drives and his rolls to pick up easy buckets. He's more of a project, but with an opening at center and a need for Bolden's particular game and body, Charlotte looks like a strong place for him to develop and flourish.

7. Jayson Tatum (Duke, SF) : Philadelphia 76ers

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Potential future starting lineup

PG: Markelle Fultz/Dennis Smith Jr. (2017 first-round pick)

SG: Gerald Henderson

SF: Jayson Tatum (2017 first-round pick, via Los Angeles Lakers)

PF: Ben Simmons

C: Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers get the Los Angeles Lakers' pick if it lands outside the top three. That means they could be looking at two top-10 selections.

Assuming Philly can grab a point guard with one of them, Jayson Tatum should be a target with the other.

He'd give this lineup a potential go-to option on the wing in the west—a major need moving forward, given Ben Simmons' scoring limitations in the half court and the fact the team's best 2-guards are Gerald Henderson and Timothe Luwawu.

Tatum is a terrific one-on-one player and shot creator—a scorer coaches can feature and isolate against a set half-court defense.

Philadelphia needs offense at small forward and gives him the path to develop into the starting role. If the Sixers can acquire Markelle Fultz or Dennis Smith Jr. with their lottery pick, they could complete their core by using the Lakers' pick on Tatum.

6. Frank Ntilikina (1998): New Orleans Pelicans

Future potential starting lineup

PG: Frank Ntilikina

SG: Buddy Hield

SF: Solomon Hill

PF: Terrence Jones

C: Anthony Davis

With Jrue Holiday's contract expiring after the 2016-17 season, Frank Ntilikina should emerge as a target for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Assuming this team's record isn't poor enough to land a top-three pick and grab Markelle Fultz or Dennis Smith Jr., the French facilitator wouldn't be such a bad consolation prize. At 6'5" with long arms, athleticism, playmaking skills, defensive versatility and notable poise, he looks the part of a future two-way starter.

Ntilikina's an excellent ball-screen guard and could run pick-and-rolls (and pops) with Anthony Davis, an idea that should have everyone's attention within New Orleans' scouting department.

His jumper remains a work in progress, but he'd pair nicely with 2016-17 rookie sniper Buddy Hield, who could use a defensive-minded, pass-first counterpart in the backcourt.

The Pelicans also need an upgrade at small forward and a big man to complement Davis. Florida State's Jonathan Isaac would be an option as the former, while Arizona's Lauri Markkanen would fit as the latter.

But New Orleans can't afford to pass on a new franchise floor general, particularly one who'd slide this seamlessly into the team's immediate and long-term plans.

5. Harry Giles (Duke, PF): Boston Celtics

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Potential future starting lineup

PG: Isaiah Thomas

SG: Avery Bradley

SF: Jae Crowder

PF: Harry Giles

C: Al Horford

With a veteran center, an All-Star point guard and a few athletic, two-way wings, the Boston Celtics' power forward position is the only one in serious need of an upgrade.

In a best-case-scenario, where Harry Giles' knee recovers and strengthens, he's a no-brainer fit with the ceiling to emerge as the team's best overall player.

His athleticism, quickness and relentless energy would complement Al Horford's more polished, inside-out skills in the half court.

Meanwhile, he'd give this Boston team, which ESPN.com ranked No. 3 in the league in pace last season, another monster weapon in transition.

It's easy to envision him finishing dunks and lobs off Isaiah Thomas' breakdown penetration.

Giles has had three knee surgeries and isn't refined offensively, and he could take his time and play to his strengths for a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

4. Jonathan Isaac (Florida State, SF/PF): Denver Nuggets

Potential future starting lineup

PG: Emmanuel Mudiay

SG: Gary Harris

SF: Jonathan Isaac

PF: Danilo Gallinari

C: Nikola Jokic

With plenty of backcourt talent between Emmanuel Mudiay, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Will Barton and Malik Beasley, as well as promising centers Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic, the Denver Nuggets' long-term questions are at the forward spots.

Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried are established talents, but their time in Denver could be running its course, given Gallo's contract and injury history as well as Faried's limited offense and defensive upside.

A face-up scorer with 6'10" size and athleticism, Isaac could offer the versatility to play the 3 and 4, as well as the upside to emerge as one of the class' top players.

He's potentially too quick and skilled for bigs and has the shooting range and ball-handling of a wing. The best-case scenario projects him as a mismatch.

However, he's too raw for a team to count on as an impact rookie one year from now.

He'd have the chance to slowly develop behind Gallinari, who'll be entering the final year of his deal in 2017-18. Even if Denver re-signs Gallo, Isaac has a path toward the 2018-19 starting lineup (his projected second year), especially with Faried's declining value in a league where stretch, playmaking 4s are rising.

3. Dennis Smith Jr. (North Carolina State, PG): Sacramento Kings

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Potential future starting lineup

PG: Dennis Smith Jr.

SG: Malachi Richardson

SF: Arron Afflalo

PF: DeMarcus Cousins

C: Willie Cauley-Stein

The Sacramento Kings have been searching for DeMarcus Cousins' sidekick ever since they drafted the Kentucky center in 2010.

They'll find one with a top-five pick in 2017. Sacramento should be salivating at the chance to select Dennis Smith Jr., a potential long-term answer at point guard.

Smith's playmaking, upside and defense should specifically appeal to the Kings thanks to his Derrick Rose-like size (6'3", 195 lbs) and explosiveness as a ball-handler.

Given his breakdown ability that leads to easy scoring opportunities for teammates, we could be talking about a focal point of opposing defensive game plans. Smith also has the chance to develop into an exciting scorer, assuming he continues to develop his jumper.

Given the Kings' struggle to land big free agents and a point guard depth chart that lists Darren Collison, Ty Lawson, Jordan Farmar and Isaiah Cousins, they must make Smith a priority scouting target.

2. Josh Jackson (Kansas, SF): Phoenix Suns

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Potential future starting lineup

PG: Eric Bledsoe

SG: Devin Booker

SF: Josh Jackson

PF: Marquese Chriss

C: Alex Len

The Phoenix Suns' giant wing hole is calling out for Josh Jackson, who'd fill it with the athleticism and versatility that P.J. Tucker can't offer.

Phoenix wouldn't desperately miss Tucker's defense, either—Jackson brings the size (6'8", 207 lbs) and quickness to guard 2s, 3s and 4s, along with the competitiveness and instincts to silence them.

The Suns were No. 4 last year in pace, per ESPN.com's Hollinger stats, and would also love to add a transition weapon such as Jackson, a high-flier who can initiate the break off defensive rebounds. Together, he and Marquese Chriss could form one of the bounciest forward duos in the league.

Jackson would complement Devin Booker's sharpshooting and perimeter scoring with a heavier dose of attacking and pressure on the rim.

Scouts have made a case for him as the top prospect in the country. The fact that he also plays a position of need and suits the offense makes Jackson a textbook fit in Phoenix.

1. Markelle Fultz (Washington, PG): Philadelphia 76ers

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Potential future starting lineup

PG: Markelle Fultz/Dennis Smith Jr. (2017 first-round pick)

SG: Gerald Henderson

SF: Jayson Tatum (2017 first-round pick, via Lakers)

PF: Ben Simmons

C: Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers have passed up Emmanuel Mudiay, Kris Dunn, Dante Exum and Marcus Smart in recent drafts. They have patiently waited on a point guard while selecting with a take-the-best-player approach, a strategy that's helped them land multiple potential stars but also created a big-heavy lineup.

Markelle Fultz balances it out and makes the patience pay off.

He is arguably the top prospect in the country, and his playmaking, scoring and defensive versatility would cover ground for a backcourt that projects to start Jerryd Bayless and Gerald Henderson. He's the total package—an athletic 6'4" ball-handler, passer, shot creator and shot-maker.

With the emergence of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons' potential—which remains intact despite the injury—the Sixers' nucleus already packs upside and star power.

Fultz helps ignite it and round out the core. Regardless of how you value Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, a Fultz-Simmons-Embiid trio offers firepower and creates an exciting, balanced foundation. 

Wing span measurements courtesy of NBADraft.net.