NBA Draft 2017: Official Selection Order After Cavaliers vs. Warriors NBA Finals
The Golden State Warriors brushing aside LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers over five games in the NBA Finals means the spotlight can fully shine on the NBA draft.
Hardly a week remains between the Association and a draft more potent than past offerings considering the wealth of talent at point guard.
One look at the Finals says it all—there's no deep dive into the playoffs without a Stephen Curry or Kyrie Irving. Feel free to expand that to the conference finals thanks to Tony Parker and Isaiah Thomas. Or even the semifinals with James Harden, George Hill, John Wall and Kyle Lowry.
So yes, the huge hype surrounding the draft registers as justified. With the Finals concluded, here's a look at the cemented order, projections and some of the top details to know.
2017 NBA Mock Draft
| 1. Celtics (via BKN) | Markelle Fultz, G, Washington |
| 2. Lakers | Lonzo Ball, G, UCLA |
| 3. 76ers | Josh Jackson, F, Kansas |
| 4. Suns | Jayson Tatum, F, Duke |
| 5. Kings (via PHI) | Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State |
| 6. Magic | De'Aaron Fox, G, Kentucky |
| 7. Timberwolves | Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga |
| 8. Knicks | Frank Ntilikina, G, France |
| 9. Mavericks | Dennis Smith Jr., G, NC State |
| 10. Kings (via NO) | Malik Monk, G, Kentucky |
| 11. Hornets | Harry Giles, F, Duke |
| 12. Pistons | Lauri Markkanen, F, Arizona |
| 13. Nuggets | Terrance Ferguson, G, Australia |
| 14. Heat | OG Anunoby, F, Indiana |
| 15. Trail Blazers | Ivan Rabb, F, California |
| 16. Bulls | John Collins, F, Wake Forest |
| 17. Bucks | Tony Bradley, C, North Carolina |
| 18. Pacers | Jarrett Allen, C, Texas |
| 19. Hawks | Isaiah Hartenstein, F, Lithuania |
| 20. Trail Blazers (via MEM) | Justin Jackson, F, North Carolina |
| 21. Thunder | TJ Leaf, F, UCLA |
| 22. Nets (via WAS) | Donovan Mitchell, G, Louisville |
| 23. Raptors (via LAC) | Rodions Kurucs, F, Spain |
| 24. Jazz | Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA |
| 25. Magic (via TOR) | Jordan Bell, F, Oregon |
| 26. Trail Blazers (via CLE) | Dwayne Bacon, F, Florida State |
| 27. Nets (via BOS) | Sindarius Thornwell, G, South Carolina |
| 28. Lakers (via HOU) | Caleb Swanigan, F, Purdue |
| 29. Spurs | Frank Jackson, PG, Duke |
| 30. Jazz (via GSW) | Luke Kennard, G, Duke |
Noteworthy Recent Buzz
76ers to Host Malik Monk
The fact the Philadelphia 76ers enter the 2017 draft on the hunt for a point guard is one of the most obvious factors available out in the open.
The Process (the actual thing, not the player) has been an odd one at times for the 76ers, though the frontcourt now features plenty of intriguing talent thanks to the likes of Dario Saric, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor.
The backcourt has a few notable names, but no can't miss court general capable of running the offense. Philadelphia might like the idea of Kentucky's Malik Monk doing so, though, hence a workout with him this week, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Monk is only 6'3" and 185 pounds right now, but he's one of the most explosive combo guards in the class—which is saying something given the depth of the 2017 offering.
Collegiate stats aren't everything, but it's encouraging Monk stood out with the Wildcats by way of averaging 19.8 points per game on 45.0 percent shooting from the floor and 39.7 percent from deep.
Monk obviously needs to add some strength to his frame. But it's impossible to think the 76ers won't come away impressed considering he's probably the best scoring guard in the draft. If the plan is to try to find a Golden State-esque combo in the backcourt, pairing Monk with T.J. McConnell and letting them run might work.
The above mock has Monk off the board at No. 10, but if the 76ers like him enough, he could easily steal a spot in the top three.
De'Aaron Fox (and His Dad!) Meet the Lakers
Of the big-name points after Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz, it's all about De'Aaron Fox.
The general consensus doesn't seem to elevate Fox above either of those guys, but it hasn't stopped the Los Angeles Lakers from getting an up-close look at the Kentucky product.
And because the NBA can be weird at times, one of the main talking points after Fox's workout with the Lakers is whether his father showed up.
Here's Bill Oram of Orange County Register:
Without diving too deep into the weird obsession with Ball and his father, LaVar, the fact Lonzo didn't have his dad in attendance made waves because of his old man's attention-seeking ways, including laughing in the face of companies like Nike in favor of his Big Baller Brand and Lonzo's $495 debut shoe.
Anyway, Fox is a talent worthy of a top-two selection even if he's a bit lighter at 6'3" and 169 pounds. He'll remind many of a collegiate Wall thanks to his streaky shot and elite ability to slash to the basket or get teammates involved.
Obviously, the daddy talk here and everywhere else attempts to suggest the Lakers might want to find a drama-free alternative to Ball, who is by far the best pass-first point guard to enter the draft in years.
Easier said than done, though letting the uber-athletic Fox sprint in transition with D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram is certainly a way to help compensate.
The above mock still has the Lakers going with Ball and Fox falling to No. 6, where he'll need to help along the rebuilding Orlando Magic. But swapping Ball and Fox isn't so outlandish, so observers shouldn't find it too surprising if the Lakers make it happen.
The Josh Jackson Drama
Maybe drama isn't the right word above, but look—it's not often an obvious top-three pick cancels a workout with a team in the top three, and especially not a team with such a major need at the prospect's position.
So yes, the happenings around Kansas forward Josh Jackson as of late are a little strange.
According to ESPN's Jeff Goodman, Jackson canceled his workout with the Boston Celtics:
Maybe this isn't such a big deal in a vacuum. The Celtics hold the top pick and might find it a better value to take one of the draft's top point guards.
But feel free to combine it with this interesting note from John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 Phoenix:
Maybe there isn't anything to this—it's smokescreen season, after all. But if one of the Celtics, Lakers or 76ers made a promise to Jackson, teams outside of the top three must be thrilled to have a shot at one of the draft's top point guards falling.
It's not hard to see why a team would take Jackson in the top three. The mock above has the 76ers pulling the trigger with the third pick. Jackson is the draft's best two way player, coming in at 6'8" and 202 pounds with an ability to defend most positions on the floor and create his own shots while getting to the rim.
Jackson is a good fit anywhere in the top three. The 76ers would run him at a position of need next to Saric and Simmons. Fast breaks with him, Simmons and Embiid would be, in a word, amazing. The Lakers would make for a fun time as well because they'd run him at the 2 next to Ingram in a pressure-free environment.
Then there are the Celtics. Is the front office pulling some misdirection here and Jackson is the plan at No. 1? Boston's biggest need comes at the 3, and investing in a guy like Jackson rather than splurging on a veteran would stick with the theme of the rebuild that got the team to the Eastern Conference Finals this year in the first place.
No matter how it turns out, a forward like Jackson has managed to steal the most important spotlight of all in a class dominated by point guards.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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