NBA Draft 2017: Updated Draft Order and Latest News on Hottest Prospects
Promises, triangles and conditioning, it's all part of the 2017 NBA draft buzz leading up to decision day on June 22.
The NBA will welcome a talented top-heavy class for the upcoming year. Any team selecting within the top 10 has a shot at an immediate starter for the 2017-18 campaign. For general managers and personnel executives, it's about acquiring the best talent fit for the roster.
Boston Celtics personnel executive Danny Ainge has the least amount of guesswork, and it seems Markelle Fultz will headline this year's class as the No. 1 pick. Head coach Brad Stevens has already contacted the Washington product's high school coach, per the Boston Globe.
After the top pick, chaos could ensue with the Los Angeles Lakers on the clock. What's the latest on the top prospects? Where could they land on draft day?
2017 Draft Order Round 1
1. Boston Celtics (From Brooklyn)
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Philadelphia 76ers (From Sacramento)
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Sacramento Kings (From Philadelphia)
6. Orlando Magic
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
8. New York Knicks
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Sacramento Kings (From New Orleans)
11. Charlotte Hornets
12. Detroit Pistons
13. Denver Nuggets
14. Miami Heat
15. Portland Trail Blazers
16. Chicago Bulls
17. Milwaukee Bucks
18. Indiana Pacers
19. Atlanta Hawks
20. Portland Trail Blazers (From Memphis via Denver and Cleveland)
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
22. Brooklyn Nets (From Washington)
23. Toronto Raptors (From LA Clippers via Milwaukee)
24. Utah Jazz
25. Orlando Magic (From Toronto)
26. Portland Trail Blazers (From Cleveland)
27. Brooklyn Nets (From Boston)
28. Los Angeles Lakers (From Houston)
29. San Antonio Spurs
30. Utah Jazz (From Golden State)
Round 2
31. Atlanta Hawks (From Brooklyn)
32. Phoenix Suns
33. Orlando Magic (From Los Angeles Lakers)
34. Sacramento Kings (From Philadelphia via New Orleans)
35. Orlando Magic (From New York via Utah and Toronto)
36. Philadelphia 76ers
37. Boston Celtics (From Minnesota via Phoenix)
38. Chicago Bulls (From Sacramento via Cleveland)
39. Philadelphia 76ers (From Dallas)
40. New Orleans Pelicans
41. Charlotte Hornets
42. Utah Jazz (From Detroit)
43. Houston Rockets (From Denver)
44. New York Knicks (From Chicago)
45. Houston Rockets (From Portland)
46. Philadelphia 76ers (From Miami via Atlanta)
47. Indiana Pacers
48. Milwaukee Bucks
49. Denver Nuggets (From Memphis via Oklahoma City)
50. Philadelphia 76ers (From Atlanta)
51. Denver Nuggets (From Oklahoma City)
52. Washington Wizards
53. Boston Celtics (From Cleveland)
54. Phoenix Suns (From Toronto)
55. Utah Jazz
56. Boston Celtics (From LA Clippers)
57. Brooklyn Nets (From Boston)
58. New York Knicks (From Houston)
59. San Antonio Spurs
60. Atlanta Hawks (From Golden State via Philadelphia and Utah)
Los Angeles Lakers Digging Deep on Lonzo Ball's Conditioning
Lakers team president Magic Johnson will either satisfy his fanbase and acquire Lonzo Ball or shock an overwhelming majority by looking elsewhere.
Johnson, who played through the Showtime era with the franchise, can bring some of that pizzazz back to the Staples Center with a flashy 6'6" point guard from Chino Hills, California. Then again, he could go with Kansas forward Josh Jackson, whose defensive prowess and scoring ability intrigues teams selecting within the top 5.
For starters, the Ball family knows how to handle the spotlight. In a Foot Locker ad, there's a self-deprecating dig at LaVar Ball for all his antics leading up to this point:
Enough of the humor. Actual basketball activities will largely influence draft-day decisions. The Lakers could bolster their defense with a lengthy forward who can guard multiple positions with an improving shot selection or take the UCLA product who's capable of setting up the offense.
Based on swirling reports, it's pretty much 50-50. According to The Vertical's Shams Charania, the Lakers will take a deeper look at Ball's preparation off the court:
On the other hand, Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding doesn't think the Lakers have firmly set their sights on Ball.
Is Johnson a good NBA poker player? Does the Lakers organization legitimately need more information before making a final decision? Who knows.
Josh Jackson Will Be Draft-Night X-Factor
As mentioned, the Lakers could very well select Jackson in the No. 2 spot, which adds another long forward to pair with Brandon Ingram.
Does it make sense to have 6'9" Ingram and 6'8" Jackson in the starting lineup? Jackson comes into the league as a better defender, but the 2016 No. 2 overall pick worked to make strides on defense during his rookie campaign.
If the Kansas product's shooting continues to improve, the Lakers would have similar assets in Jackson and Ingram together. Who's the lead guard setting up the offense? With that question, you'd think Johnson would add Ball as the guy who can find scorers in the right place at the right time and dictate tempo.
If the Lakers choose Ball, Jackson would likely land with the Philadelphia 76ers who could use his length on defense and his ability to score with Ben Simmons passing dimes as the point forward.
According to 98.7 Arizona Sports host John Gambadoro, a team picking at the top has promised to draft Jackson:
If it's not the Celtics, the Lakers and Sixers have to be in play, assuming there's truth to the rumor. Unless the Phoenix Suns opt to reset their point guard situation with Eric Bledsoe, the Sacramento Kings should feel good about their chances at landing De'Aaron Fox at No. 5.
Frank Ntilikina Sees Fit in Triangle Offense
You won't find many veteran players looking forward to or embracing Phil Jackson's triangle offense, but Frenchman Frank Ntilikina sees the glass half-full, per New York Post reporter Marc Berman.
"The Knicks [have] a good history," Ntilikina said. "The game they play—the triangle offense—is close to the game I play in France with my team. A lot of movement. I think to play over there, I would fit with them. It would be great to play for them."
It's hard to agree with Ntilikina on the New York Knicks' recent history, but he's an unselfish guard who plays with a fundamental approach—a style that would likely thrive within the triangle offense. The potential top-10 pick also envisioned himself pairing well with Kristaps Porzingis.
"I think he has [had] two good seasons. He's going to be maybe a superstar for sure. We'll have a good relationship on the court if we play there together. Pick-and-roll … we're both from Europe. We have a different way to play the pick-and-roll, the action not every American player has. I think both of us will have a great relationship off the court, too."
Ntilikina plays for Strasbourg in the French championship, which would extend to June 23 if the best-of-five series goes the distance. According to Berman's report, he's averaged 18.3 minutes per game during the regular season. The extended time on the court would benefit him as he transitions to the NBA where he's going to play more than 20 minutes per contest early in his career.
Berman also noted Jackson would prefer to snag a guard or wing player. Aside from Ntilikina, the Knicks could have plenty of potential options at No. 8, which include Malik Monk, Dennis Smith Jr., Donovan Mitchell and Luke Kennard.
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