2017 NBA Mock Draft: Breakdown of Underrated Prospects, 1st-Round Predictions

When it comes to the NBA draft, much of the focus usually ends up on the top few prospects, those widely considered to be lottery picks. This is because these are the players expected to develop into NBA stars sooner rather than later, and they're the end result of the draft lottery drama.

However, lottery picks certainly aren't the only prospects in the draft, and they're not the only players who have value at the next level. San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard was picked in the middle of the first round (15th overall) and Boston Celtics standout Isaiah Thomas was picked at the bottom of the second.

Underrated prospects can bring value to an NBA team, and sometimes that value can be greater because of where the players are drafted.

We're here to examine some of the most underrated prospects in this year's draft and what value they may have to pro teams. We'll also mock the first round of the draft based on factors like team needs, roster fits and player potential.

2017 NBA Mock Draft

1. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn): Markelle Fultz, G, Washington

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, G, UCLA

3. Philadelphia 76ers: Malik Monk, G, Kentucky

4. Phoenix Suns: Jayson Tatum, F, Duke

5. Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia): De'Aaron Fox, G, Kentucky

6. Orlando Magic: Josh Jackson, F, Kansas

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State

8. New York Knicks: Lauri Markkanen, F, Arizona

9. Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr., G, NC State

10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans): Frank Ntilikina, G, France

11. Charlotte Hornets: Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga

12. Detroit Pistons: Ivan Rabb, F, California

13. Denver Nuggets: Harry Giles, F, Duke

14. Miami Heat: Justin Jackson, F, North Carolina

15. Portland Trail Blazers: OG Anunoby, F, Indiana

16. Chicago Bulls: Luke Kennard, G, Duke

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

18. Indiana Pacers: Tony Bradley, C, North Carolina

19. Atlanta Hawks: TJ Leaf, F, UCLA

20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis): Dwayne Bacon, F, Florida State

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: John Collins, F, Wake Forest

22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington): Isaiah Hartenstein, F, Germany

23. Toronto Raptors (via LA Clippers): Jordan Bell, F, Oregon

24. Utah Jazz: Justin Patton, C, Creighton

25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto):  Rodions Kurucs, F, Latvia

26. Portland Trail Blazers: (via Cleveland): Josh Hart, G, Villanova

27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston): Sindarius Thornwell, G, South Carolina

28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston): Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA

29. San Antonio Spurs: Terrance Ferguson, G, Australia

30. Utah Jazz (via Golden State): Donovan Mitchell, G, Louisville

Underrated Prospects

Luke Kennard, G, Duke

Duke's Luke Kennard decided not to enter the NBA draft after his freshman season, choosing instead to return for another year to work on his all-around game. This makes him a more seasoned and technically sound prospect than some of the players in this draft.

Kennard will probably contribute as a bench player early in his career, but he should be able to help out right away. This is part of the reason he has been underrated as a prospect. At 6'5 1/2" and 196 pounds, Kennard has excellent size for a shooting guard, and he has enough skill to score from any part of the court.

Since the end of his sophomore season, Kennard has continued to prepare for his professional transition. His former head coach at Franklin High School, Brian Bales offered some insight into Kennard's preparation on a recent episode of the WCPO's High School Insider Podcast with Mike Dyer:

"He's very locked in, very focused," Bales said. "[He's] kinda got out to the West Coast there in Los Angeles where his agents are and just working on his craft. That involves a lot of things at that level. I know he's got a trainer out there he's working out with, an ex-NBA guy in Don MacLean, I think, and some others."

Kennard doesn't have the physical upside that some of the guys in the draft do, otherwise, he's be considered an early first-round pick. However, he's a solid player with a lot of drive who should be able to help a team right out of the gate.

Josh Hart, G, Villanova

Villanova's Josh Hart is another shooting guard prospect who should be able to contribute to an NBA team almost immediately. Hart brings even more experience and seasoning than Kennard, as he enters the draft as a senior. He's a bit shorter than Kennard, but still has good size at 6'5" and 209 pounds. He's a decent scorer who averaged 18.7 points per game last season.

Hart shot 51 percent from the field in 2016 and has never shot below 50 percent in his college career. In addition to being a versatile scorer, Hart is also a strong, physical defender.

"Guys that have seen me play at Villanova know that I'm going to be the one that's defending, you know, down on the floor for a loose ball at the end of the game to seal a victory," Hart said, per Danny Nadeau of Basketball Insiders. "That's what I do and I think that's how I fit in."

It's this ability to be a two-way asset that gives Hart a lot of value for an NBA franchise. It's also why Hart is more underrated than some of his rookie counterparts.

"Hart is a proven winner with a track record of improvement, and hard work," Dave Ray of NBADraft.net explained, "He fits into the defined NBA role of a 3-and-D type player."

Hart should be able to be an asset off the bench early, and he may be able to find a home in a starting rotation as a rookie.

Terrance Ferguson, G, Australia

Yet another underrated shooting guard prospect is Australian product Terrance Ferguson. He has a towering, though relatively slight frame for the position at 6'7" and 184 pounds. What makes Ferguson a bit different than the other prospects in the draft—and has helped lead to him being underrated—is the fact Ferguson is an American player who chose to play pro ball in Australia rather than spend a year in college.

Ferguson was originally committed to play for the University of Arizona, but decided to go the international route in order to help take care of his other financially. According to Ferguson, his time in Australia has helped him become a more mature person and player.

"I'm in a different country, 18 years old, living on my own pretty much," Ferguson said, per Terrin Waack of the Chicago Tribune. "I had to mature really fast. Faster than any other college player. I went overseas and played professional basketball with grown men, physical grown men that played 10-plus years."

While Ferguson doesn't have the experience of a guy like Hart—at least in terms of overall playing time—he is going to be more ready for life in the NBA than many other prospects will. Teams looking for a pro-ready teammate are going to love him.

Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress explained how Ferguson can be an early contributor:

"Ferguson is mostly a spot-up shooter, which has always been his strong point, and will almost certainly continue to be his role at the NBA level as well. What's impressive is how mature of a team player he's been so far, as he rarely tries to do things outside of his comfort zone, and has been a very willing ball-mover looking to make the extra pass."

Had Ferguson performed under the collegiate spotlight, he might be a more popular prospect. However, he is a relative unknown to casual fans, as he literally played his ball on the other side of the world.