NBA Mock Draft 2017: Order of Selections and Final 1st-Round Team Predictions

The 2017 NBA draft is finally here, and it's one of the most anticipated draft days in recent memory thanks to some fascinating storylines. 

In the final days leading up to the draft Thursday, the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics pulled off a blockbuster trade, with the No. 1 selection going to Philly. The 76ers are expected to take Washington point guard Markelle Fultz, but the real storylines of the draft pick up at No. 2.

Here's a look at the updated draft order and one final mock draft, followed by a closer look at a few key storylines:    

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

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

3. Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke

4. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas

5. Sacramento Kings: De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky

6. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona     

8. New York Knicks: Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky

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

10. Sacramento Kings: Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga 

11. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville

12. Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard, SG, Duke

13. Denver Nuggets: OG Anunoby, SF, Indiana

14. Miami Heat: Frank Ntilikina, PG, France

15. Portland Trail Blazers: Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina

16. Chicago Bulls: Bam Adebayo, PF, Kentucky  

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Justin Patton, C, Creighton

18. Indiana Pacers: Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

19. Atlanta Hawks: John Collins, PF, Wake Forest

20. Portland Trail Blazers: Harry Giles, PF, Duke

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA

22. Brooklyn Nets: Terrance Ferguson, SG, Australia      

23. Toronto Raptors: Tyler Lydon, PF, Syracuse

24. Utah Jazz: Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia

25. Orlando Magic: Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Lithuania

26. Portland Trail Blazers: Semi Ojeleye, SF/PF, SMU

27. Los Angeles Lakers: TJ Leaf, PF, UCLA

28. Los Angeles Lakers: Tony Bradley, C, North Carolina

29. San Antonio Spurs: Jawun Evans, PG, Oklahoma State

30. Utah Jazz: Caleb Swanigan, PF, Purdue

Will the Lakers take Lonzo Ball?

Despite Fultz being the most coveted player in this draft class, UCLA's Lonzo Ball has been the most talked-about prospect, thanks to the bravado of his media-savvy father, LaVar. 

Much of the discussion surrounding Ball has centered around his interest in joining the Los Angeles Lakers, which became a realistic scenario when the Lakers landed the No. 2 pick in the lottery. 

The only thing standing in the way of Ball landing in Los Angeles appeared to be D'Angelo Russell, another former No. 2 overall pick. On Tuesday, however, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that the Lakers were shipping Russell to the Brooklyn Nets:

The move, which also allows the Lakers to clear cap space by dumping Timofey Mozgov's contract, presumably opens up a clear path for the team to select Ball with the No. 2 pick and immediately insert him as the starting point guard.

Will the Celtics use the No. 3 pick?

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press/Associated Press

The Celtics won the lottery while still playing in the Eastern Conference Finals, putting them in a unique position this offseason as a contender with a valuable draft pick. Despite already moving down two spots in the draft, Boston still owns a coveted pick and could pull off another blockbuster trade. 

In fact, according to Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago, the Chicago Bulls have already offered Jimmy Butler for the No. 3 pick, which Boston reportedly turned down. 

If this trade offer did occur, it's surprising that the Celtics would turn down the option to add a proven All-Star for the No. 3 pick. According to Spotrac, Butler is under contract for two more seasons, with a player option for a third year. 

Perhaps Boston is interested in pursuing other trade targets but would be willing to revisit the Bulls' offer on draft day. 

Regardless of what ultimately happens with the No. 3 selection, the potential for Boston to make another franchise-altering trade will add to the draft-day drama. 

Will the Knicks shake things up?

The Knicks are in position to add a solid prospect at No. 8 overall. Kentucky's Malik Monk, one of the top outside shooters in this draft class, is among their potential targets. 

A young shooting guard like Monk would be an excellent addition alongside Kristaps Porzingis, but the star forward might not be around much longer, according to Wojnarowski:

Trading a fan favorite like Porzingis would certainly not be popular in New York, but it could bring the Knicks a fascinating haul of young players. 

Given Porzingis' talent and age (he turns 22 in August), it would likely take a blockbuster offer to pry him from New York, but the fact that this potential trade target has been floated out there will add some intrigue to the draft-day storylines.