2017 NBA mock draft: Top ten picks
Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball face off in a highly regarded matchup between two top 25 teams.
February 8, 2017
- The Boston Celtics
- Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
- Fultz is a 6’4” point guard with physical attributes that allow him to bully his defenders down low along with shooting range that compares him to Russell Westbrook.
- The Philadelphia 76er’s
- Dennis Smith, PG, N.C. State
- Smith is 6’1” point guard who is regarded as one of the most athletic prospects in this draft class which would put him great alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
- The Los Angeles Lakers
- Josh Jackson, SG/SF, Kansas
- Jackson is a 6’8” shooting guard and is a straight beast. Put him in the backcourt with D’Angelo Russell and you have quite the dynamic duo in the future.
- The Miami Heat
- Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
- Ball is a 6’6” point guard who can do it all and came into this year with high expectations. He has shattered all expectations so far and continues to grow in his game.
- The Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State
- Isaac is a 6’10” lanky assassin and is highly similar in gameplay to Kevin Durant. If you put him next to the Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns, there would be no stopping this front court.
- The New Orleans Pelicans
- Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
- Tatum is not only 6’8”, but his 220 pound frame makes him almost unstoppable inside. Put him next to Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis and you have a huge threat.
- The Phoenix Suns
- Malik Monk, PG/SG, Kentucky
- Monk is leading the collegiate level and shows no signs that it will not transition over to the NBA level of play. This would be a great pickup for the Suns to pair next to Devin Booker.
- The Dallas Mavericks
- De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
- Fox is the fastest paced player in the league and would do great under veteran help from Dirk Nowitzki and Wesley Matthews. His consistency and effortless scoring would help the Mavericks in a place they desperately need.
- The Orlando Magic
- Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
- Markkanen is a 6’11” beast man who has the best three pointer in the collegiate level so far. His stroke from outside and banging for boards on the inside makes him one of the most intriguing prospects.
- The Denver Nuggets
- Miles Bridges, SF/PF, Michigan State
- Bridges is the most athletic and explosive dunker and finisher in the game. He is a freak hybrid athlete that can stretch the floor and compete with the best of them.
