Here is the final edition of my 2017 NHL Mock Draft.
1. New Jersey Devils- Nolan Patrick, Center, Brandon (WHL): He's been the guy from the very start of the draft process. But just like in year's past, another player puts together a great season and makes a charge for the top spot. Last season it was Patrik Laine who put on a great campaign to knock off Austin Matthews for the top spot and in 2015 it was Jack Eichel who put forth a valiant effort to go number one over Connor McDavid. Just like those drafts, the team in the top spot will stick with the guy who's been at the top the whole time.
2. Philadelphia Flyers- Nico Hischier, Center, Halifax (QMJHL): The Flyers are still pumped about winning a top-three selection in the draft lottery, so they don’t really care whether it’s Nolan or Nico. They get Nico, an extremely promising playmaker, and make him the highest-drafted Swiss player of all time.
3. Dallas Stars- Gabriel Vilardi, Center, Windsor (OHL): One of the OHL's top players in 2016/17, Vilardi is a big centre who has great offensive awareness and the dynamic skill to take advantage. While he is not the fastest player on the ice, he can maneuver in a phone booth and make things happen with a great passing ability.
4. Colorado Avalanche- Miro Heiskanen, Defenseman, HIFK Helsinki (SM-Liiga): Heiskanen is an excellent two-way defender with top-pairing potential. Having played his entire draft year in Finland’s top professional league, Heiskanen is one of the most pro-ready prospects available.
5. Vancouver Canucks- Casey Mittelsdalt, Center, Eden (High-MN): At 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds, Mittelstadt has ideal size to go along with his elite skill. Playing for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL, the centre put up 30 points in just 24 games. He has a fantastic first step and can use his quickness to make defenders miss.
6. Las Vegas Golden Knights- Cody Glass, Center, Portland (WHL): Having grown a couple of inches and gained some muscle in the process, Glass has been rising up draft boards around the NHL. Glass plays strong on the puck and uses his excellent speed to create space and finish with his quick release.
7. New York Rangers (from Arizona Coyotes)- Cale Makar, Defenseman, Brooks (AJHL): The Rangers are loaded with high-end offensive talent (despite the trading of Derek Stepan) so they go for a dynamic blueliner who can lead the offense from the backend. Makar has some question marks, but the Rangers see his upside and simply can’t pass up on him.
8. Buffalo Sabres- Owen Tippett, Wing, Mississauga (OHL): Tippett scored 44 goals and put up 75 points through 60 games in the OHL this season, and scouts say he already has an NHL shot. He’ll likely spend one more season in the OHL before making the jump to the NHL.
9. Detroit Red Wings- Elias Pettersson, Center, Kimra (SHL): A playmaking center in the truest sense of the term, Pettersson owns a nice mix of speed, vision, and passing ability that makes him an offensive threat. He also has shown some tenacity in board play and forechecking, indicating he might become a better all-around player than he seems to be now.
10. Florida Panthers- Michael Rasmussen, Center, Tri-City (WHL): The front-office shake up indicates some sort of change in philosophy, but Rasmussen is skilled enough to still fit into those plans. He's 6’6 center with excellent net-front skills and a good shot. Rasmussen isn’t overly physical yet, but that can be coaxed as he fills out his fame.
11. Los Angeles Kings- Eeli Tolvanen, Wing, Sioux City (USHL): Tolvanen is a shooter, and he’s good at it. He’s headed to Boston College in the fall where his development should continue apace, and it will be exciting to see if he dominates the NCAA as he did the USHL.
12. Carolina Hurricanes- Timothy Liljegren, Defenseman, Rogle (SHL): What a year it’s been for Liljegren. After being projected as the second overall pick behind Nolan Patrick, he saw his stock drop. Nevertheless, whoever lands Liljegren will be getting a top end defensive prospect.
13. Las Vegas Golden Knights (from Winnipeg Jets)- Nick Suzuki, Center, Owen (OHL): Even if Suzuki doesn’t end up as a pivot in the NHL, he projects as an impactful, all-situations forward. A feared penalty killer for years in the OHL, Suzuki’s offensive game blossomed this season into one of the league’s top scorers. Few draft players compete as well and as hard as him.
14. Tampa Bay Lightning- Lias Andersson, Center, HV (SHL): Andersson spent this season playing against men in the SHL and he’s looking like a very solid prospect. Andersson is an incredible skater and though he’s committed to Frolunda HC for next season, if the Bolts like what they see, it’s possible that he could move to North America in order for the organization to be able to keep a close eye on him.
15. Las Vegas Golden Knights (from New York Islanders)- Juuso Valimaki, Defenseman, Tri-City (WHL): At 15, Vegas is happy to pick up one of Finland’s many up-and-coming prospects in two-way defenceman in Valimaki. At this point, the Knights decide a D-man is the higher priority with this pick.
16. Calgary Flames- Martin Necas, Center, Brno (CZREP): An offensive-minded centre, Necas has great lateral movement and can make defenders miss in space. He has good vision of the ice and can dissect the play quickly when on the rush.
17. Toronto Maple Leafs- Callan Foote, Defenseman, Kelowna (WHL): Following a similar storyline to last year's draft, the Flames once again take a player with a strong NHL lineage. Foote is a big, right-shot defenceman who has a powerful shot from the point. He is able to use his size and skating ability to take away time and space from opposing forwards.
18. Boston Bruins- Klim Kostin, Center, Dynamo (KHL): A big body, a non-stop motor, and a quick release - that's what the Bruins are getting with the versatile forward. Kostin is a guy that will work hard in the dirty areas and use his size to keep possession of the puck. Once he fills out his big frame, he could be a beast in the NHL.
19. San Jose Sharks- Kristian Vesalainen, Wing, Frolunda (SHL): This Finnish winger fell in draft rankings after a slower year, but the offensive skills are still there. The 6’4 winger is a power forward in the making, with a strong drive to the net and a well-developing defensive game.
20. St. Louis Blues- Nicolas Hague, Defenseman, Mississauga (OHL): Hague is a large young man at 6-foot-6, but he combines that size with plenty of skill. He has good straight line speed, which helps him when retreating back into his own zone. He has a big point shot and he has the potential to be a big-time offensive contributor from the back-end.
21. New York Rangers- Ryan Poehling, Center, St. Cloud (NCAA): A big, two-way center in the mold of Brandon Dubinsky or even Pierre-Luc Dubois, who the Jackets drafted third overall last year. He lacks the top-end scoring talent of Dubois, though, and would fill a more secondary role in the top nine.
22. Edmonton Oilers- Kailer Yamamoto, Wing, Spokane (WHL): Yamamoto is a 5’8 player and a lock for the first round because his offensive senses and skills are so superior to so many other forwards in this class. He knows how to use his speed and awareness to evade physical opponents.
23. Arizona Coyotes (from Minnesota Wild)- Robert Thomas, Center, London (OHL): The London Knights seem to be a factory for first round picks. This year, it's Thomas, who is a strong two-way player that does everything well. He makes good reads and plays with tenacity.
24. Winnipeg Jets (from Las Vegas Golden Knights via Columbus Blue Jackets)- Henri Jokiharju, Defenseman, Portland (WHL): If Kelowna is a development factory, Portland isn’t far behind. There’s plenty to like about Jokiharju’s play at both ends of the ice — killer offensive instincts and terrific defensive positioning are two of the first to admire. He’s a bit more of a project than other defensive picks this year, but chances are good he’ll be worth it in the end.
25. Montreal Canadiens- Shane Bowers, Center, Waterloo (USHL): A gritty centre, Bowers can make life hard on the opposition. He uses his body well to protect the puck and he's willing to go play in the dirty areas. Armed with a quick shot, he is quite dangerous around the net.
26. Chicago Blackhawks- Joshua Norris, Center, USNTDP: Norris, a University of Michigan commit, has all the makings of a strong two-way center. He’s a solid skater, patient with the puck and tenacious away from it, willing to go into the corners to retrieve a loose puck. One of the qualities noted most often about Norris is that he’s “coachable.” And in his case, it’s legitimate and a good thing. He’s shown that he’s willing to work on his weaknesses.
27. St. Louis Blues (from Washington Capitals)- Isaac Ratcliffe, Wing, Guelph (OHL): Ratcliffe, 6’6, is a force all over the ice, willing to run over anyone in his way to get to the puck. He is a humongous-big winger with offensive instincts that John Tortorella would like.
28. Ottawa Senators- Nikita Popugaev, Wing, Moose Jaw (WHL): Popugaev is a massive winger who uses his 6’5 frame to aid his scoring ability as much as remove others from the puck. The knock on him is that he’s a one-trick pony: He waits for the puck and then drives straight to the net and shoots. Can you get him to commit to a 200-foot game and use his strength more? Montreal would like to find out.
29. Dallas Stars (from Anaheim Ducks)- Jake Oettinger, Goalie, Boston College (NCAA): The Sens no future goalies to speak of due to the fact Craig Anderson is 36 and Andrew Hammond was a one-year wonder in 2015. Oettinger might be the best ’tender in a quality crop this year, a 6’4 goalie with size and impressive mobility and instincts. He had a fantastic freshman year with the Eagles.
30. Nashville Predators- Kole Lind, Center, Kelowna (WHL): Lind may have struggled to crack the Rockets lineup his rookie season, but he certainly didn’t have any trouble this year. In fact, he finished 17 points ahead of the next highest scorer on his team. He’s both a good playmaker and a goal scorer, and while he encounters a few problems defensively, they’re fixable.
31. Pittsburgh Penguins- Maxime Comotis, Wing, Victoriaville (QMJHL): Comtois is the typical low-floor, low-ceiling type of player. He seems like a lock to make the NHL in one role or another, but the Pens might have to be fine with getting a bottom-six grinder with a strong two-way game here, rather than an exciting offensive contributor. Then again, Comtois has nice offensive potential as well.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Thursday, June 22, 2017
2017 NBA Mock Draft: Final Edition
Here is the final edition of my 2017 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (from Boston Celtics via Brooklyn Nets)- Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington: It’s time to start chasing some results in Philly. By adding Fultz, the Sixers have a core built for serious contention in the future. Washington’s absence from the NCAA tournament will raise some concerns, but not enough for the 76ers to pass on his upside. With Fultz and Ben Simmons both set to start, the race for the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award is already interesting.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA: Did anyone notice Lakers president Magic Johnson didn't look too upset about not getting the No. 1 pick? That's because, I think, he now knows the pressure is off. He doesn't have to pick between Ball and Fultz. Now he can just take Ball once Fultz is off the board. And the Lakers are suddenly interesting again, if nothing else.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (from Boston Celtics via Brooklyn Nets)- Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington: It’s time to start chasing some results in Philly. By adding Fultz, the Sixers have a core built for serious contention in the future. Washington’s absence from the NCAA tournament will raise some concerns, but not enough for the 76ers to pass on his upside. With Fultz and Ben Simmons both set to start, the race for the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award is already interesting.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA: Did anyone notice Lakers president Magic Johnson didn't look too upset about not getting the No. 1 pick? That's because, I think, he now knows the pressure is off. He doesn't have to pick between Ball and Fultz. Now he can just take Ball once Fultz is off the board. And the Lakers are suddenly interesting again, if nothing else.
3. Boston Celtics (from Philadelphia 76ers via Sacramento Kings)- Jayson Tatum, Small Forward, Duke: Expect more trade discussions to take place involving this selection, but if the Celtics keep their pick, expect them to draft a wing. This could be Josh Jackson (who may have greater value in a deal), but the better fit for Boston would be Tatum, thanks to his potential to space the floor, play some power forward and become a go-to scorer down the line. Jackson’s well-publicized decision not to work out for the Celtics is worth noting.
4. Phoenix Suns- Josh Jackson, Small Forward, Kansas: Jackson is too good on both ends to pass up if he slides to four. In that case, here's to betting that Phoenix stays committed to Eric Bledsoe and grabs a two-way swingman to complement Booker's offense with a new-age Iguodala who can play every game at 120 MPH. Jackson's jumper will be a work in progress, but if he finds a team that doesn't need him to carry the offense, he could be a lot of fun.
5. Sacramento Kings (from Philadelphia 76ers)- De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky: The Kings are desperately in need of a young point guard with a high ceiling, and Fox is exactly that. At 6-4, he has nice size for the position and is super-fast with the ball. He was sensational in Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over UCLA while finishing with 39 points. Fox and Buddy Hield would be a nice back court.
6. Orlando Magic- Dennis Smith Jr, Point Guard, North Carolina State: The Magic haven't had a coherent identity in several years, so I'm worried about sending Smith here. If you asked, "What's the NBA version of NC State?" I'm pretty sure the answer is Orlando. Likewise, there are choices to make elsewhere on the roster that'll go a long way toward determining exactly what the Magic want from this draft. Elfrid Payton probably isn't the answer, though, and while the team transitions to new management under John Hammond and Jeff Weltman, it would make sense to grab the player with the best chance at stardom. At 6, that's Smith.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jonathan Issacs, Small Forward, Florida State: The Timberwolves could take Isaac, play him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and now we're talking about something with big potential. Minnesota would then have a core of Isaac, Towns, Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. Those are some nice pieces that could soon have the Timberwolves advancing in the Western Conference Playoffs.
8. New York Knicks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, France: French Frank is the biggest wild card in the top 10. He played limited minutes for his team in France and scored a meager 5 points per game. It'll likely take a few years before he's ready to produce consistently in the NBA. On the other hand, he's 6’5” with long arms and quick feet, and at the very least he projects as a terrific perimeter defender. It's worth it for the Knicks to gamble on a project player here.
9. Dallas Mavericks- Malik Monk, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Monk might give Dallas the most value and flexibility of any remaining prospect. The Mavericks would incorporate Kentucky’s marksman beautifully into their spread sets and weak-side pick-and-roll options. He’d flourish in Rick Carlisle’s system and empower the likes of Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry.
10. Sacramento Kings (from New Orleans Pelicans)- Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Arizona: With a potential franchise point guard already on the way, the Kings can address their frontcourt with pick No. 10. Markkanen is the logical choice as the first true post player to come off the board, giving Sacramento two players who complement each other nicely. While the Arizona freshman has clear defensive deficiencies, his impressive shooting numbers—42.3 percent from 3-point range last year—are tough to pass on. If Markkanen can learn to be a passable defender at the next level, he could be an impact player for years to come.
11. Charlotte Hornets- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard, Louisville: This is probably a little high for the Louisville guard, but the Hornets could use a dynamic scorer to take some of the burden. At the back end of the lottery, teams can't be worried about reaching; they just need to take the player they think works best for them.
12. Detroit Pistons- Zach Collins, Center, Gonzaga: The reason Zach Collins continues to rise up the boards is potential. He only played one year at Gonzaga, which is a small sample size, but his 65 percent shooting from the field, including 47 percent from deep, gives you a glimpse at his potential. Collins is the prototypical “new NBA big man” and he fits the mold almost to a T, as he runs the floor incredibly well for his size, creates spacing. He will need to add strength and play more basketball, but the potential is there.
13. Denver Nuggets- OJ Anubody, Small Forward, Indiana: Anunoby is a freak athlete who will likely spend the better part of the next decade harassing people on defense. He could've been a first round pick last year, too. He hurt his knee at Indiana this year so his stock is a little bit mysterious, and his offense is still a question mark.
14. Miami Heat- John Collins, Power Forward, Wake Forest: Collins is high-ceiling frontcourt player who fills somewhat of a need. Collins was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season; if he can develop more range on his shot, he'll be a steal at this point in the draft. His development under head coach Danny Manning from his freshman to his sophomore season was impressive.
15. Portland Trail Blazers- Jarrett Allen, Center, Texas: Allen spent most of the year overshadowed by bigger freshmen stars on better teams, but Allen quietly got much better as the year unfolded at Texas. He's still raw, and he may be a year or two from playing meaningful minutes, but he will get drafted top 30 because of Myles Turner comparisons alone. This would be a steal for Brooklyn.
16. Chicago Bulls- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina: It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Justin Patton, Center, Creighton: There's been plenty of attention paid to this as a point guard-heavy draft. But it's also one of the deepest drafts for talented young big men that we've seen in a long time. Although he needs to put on some muscle so he can hang with NBA bigs, Patton is a superb athlete for a 7-footer, and showed impressive offensive versatility at Creighton as well. He may take some time to fill his potential, but the potential is certainly there.
18. Indiana Pacers- Henry Giles, Power Forward/Center, Duke: The talk around the Pacers is that they want to find an ideal player to put next to burgeoning star Myles Turner. Whether they do that by trading Paul George or not, Giles has massive upside as a formerly presumed top pick whose history of knee surgeries will cause him to drop at least 10 spots.
19. Atlanta Hawks- Bam Adebayo, Power Forward/Center, Kentucky: Bam spent most of the college basketball season as a fixture in first-round projections, but a rough tournament saw him slip. He's been surging back up various mocks in recent weeks. His shooting is what's caught teams off guard—for example, there's more skill on display in this DraftExpress video than we saw in four months at Kentucky. The Hawks are staring down Paul Millsap's free agency and they just traded Dwight Howard; big man makes sense. And while Adebayo was a fringe first rounder when he was seen strictly as a rim runner, the possibility of perimeter skills might make him too hard to pass up here.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (from Memphis Grizzlies)- Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard, Australia: Ferguson, an Oklahoma native, was inconsistent while playing in Australia this season. But that shouldn't affect his standing with NBA scouts too much. He only shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range in 30 games. Not good. But that's not an accurate reflection of how well the former Arizona signee can actually shoot from beyond the arc.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- DJ Wilson, Power Forward, Michigan: The Thunder are one of several teams in the 20s rumored to be high on Wilson. His shooting range, size and defensive versatility hold obvious appeal as the Thunder continue to search for the right pieces to support Russell Westbrook.
22. Brooklyn Nets (from Washington Wizards)- Ike Anigbogu, Center, UCLA: Anigbogu is perhaps the most unproven prospect that has first round potential. His stock’s been on the rise for a few weeks now, and I get a feeling some time will jump on him earlier then he should be taken. He only played 13 MPG as he battled injuries at UCLA, but he’s 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, and his potential is enticing.
23. Toronto Raptors- TJ Leaf, Power Forward, UCLA: Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range this season. He was overshadowed by his teammates at UCLA but still a statistical monster. He's a perfect stretch-4 for the modern-day NBA.
24. Utah Jazz- Semi Ojeleye, Small Forward, SMU: Ojeleye started his college career at Duke, where he was just a bit player. But the 6-7 forward was tremendous at SMU this season. He averaged 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the Mustangs to American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
25. Orlando Magic (from Toronto Raptors via Los Angeles Clippers)- Jawun Evans, Point Guard, Oklahoma State: Evans is undersized at 5'11, but he's quick and creative, and he was a nightmare in the pick-and-roll at Oklahoma State. Those skills translate in the NBA. At worst, he'd be a fun spark off the bench. At best, his shooting improves—37% from three last year—and catches up with his ability to create off the dribble, and he becomes a real steal late in the first.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (from Cleveland Cavaliers)- Anzejs Pasecniks, Center, Latvia: I can't pretend to be a Pasečņiks expert, but this workout video is impressive, and he should land somewhere in the 20s. He's mobile, he's massive, and he's got good touch on his jumper. He'll be an enticing option for teams that don't necessarily need a rookie to matriculate to the league next year. If the Blazers keep all three of their picks, they'll fit that description.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Brooklyn Nets via Boston Celtics)- Tyler Lydon, Small Forward, Syracuse: Lydon shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at Syracuse and averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He'll be a stretch-4 in the NBA and should be capable of cracking a rotation as a rookie thanks to that reliable jumper.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets)- Josh Hart, Shooting Guard, Villanova: Hart's offensive ceiling is limited, but he can knock down open looks, and he'd be able to defend either guard spot. He's also got a high basketball IQ that'll allow them to work in a number of different roles for a good team. Hart would make sense for the Lakers if they keep this pick.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Jordan Bell, Power Forward, Oregon: Bell is one of the best defensive prospects in the draft, and probably the best pick-and-roll defender of any big man on the board. What he lacks in size at forward (6'8"), he makes up for with wingspan (7'0") and excellent foot speed.
30. Utah Jazz (from Golden State Warriors)- Jonah Bolden, Power Forward, Australia: Bolden’s drastic 3-point improvement has driven his draft stock. He was just 9 of 36 (25 percent) on 3-pointers from the college arc in 2015-16, and he jumped to 68 of 168 (41 percent) from the deeper international arc this season. Streamlined mechanics and extra reps were the recipe for him to showcase his NBA potential. His shooting and slashing could be highly effective in a lineup next to Rudy Gobert or Gordon Hayward.
4. Phoenix Suns- Josh Jackson, Small Forward, Kansas: Jackson is too good on both ends to pass up if he slides to four. In that case, here's to betting that Phoenix stays committed to Eric Bledsoe and grabs a two-way swingman to complement Booker's offense with a new-age Iguodala who can play every game at 120 MPH. Jackson's jumper will be a work in progress, but if he finds a team that doesn't need him to carry the offense, he could be a lot of fun.
5. Sacramento Kings (from Philadelphia 76ers)- De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky: The Kings are desperately in need of a young point guard with a high ceiling, and Fox is exactly that. At 6-4, he has nice size for the position and is super-fast with the ball. He was sensational in Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over UCLA while finishing with 39 points. Fox and Buddy Hield would be a nice back court.
6. Orlando Magic- Dennis Smith Jr, Point Guard, North Carolina State: The Magic haven't had a coherent identity in several years, so I'm worried about sending Smith here. If you asked, "What's the NBA version of NC State?" I'm pretty sure the answer is Orlando. Likewise, there are choices to make elsewhere on the roster that'll go a long way toward determining exactly what the Magic want from this draft. Elfrid Payton probably isn't the answer, though, and while the team transitions to new management under John Hammond and Jeff Weltman, it would make sense to grab the player with the best chance at stardom. At 6, that's Smith.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jonathan Issacs, Small Forward, Florida State: The Timberwolves could take Isaac, play him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and now we're talking about something with big potential. Minnesota would then have a core of Isaac, Towns, Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. Those are some nice pieces that could soon have the Timberwolves advancing in the Western Conference Playoffs.
8. New York Knicks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, France: French Frank is the biggest wild card in the top 10. He played limited minutes for his team in France and scored a meager 5 points per game. It'll likely take a few years before he's ready to produce consistently in the NBA. On the other hand, he's 6’5” with long arms and quick feet, and at the very least he projects as a terrific perimeter defender. It's worth it for the Knicks to gamble on a project player here.
9. Dallas Mavericks- Malik Monk, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Monk might give Dallas the most value and flexibility of any remaining prospect. The Mavericks would incorporate Kentucky’s marksman beautifully into their spread sets and weak-side pick-and-roll options. He’d flourish in Rick Carlisle’s system and empower the likes of Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry.
10. Sacramento Kings (from New Orleans Pelicans)- Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Arizona: With a potential franchise point guard already on the way, the Kings can address their frontcourt with pick No. 10. Markkanen is the logical choice as the first true post player to come off the board, giving Sacramento two players who complement each other nicely. While the Arizona freshman has clear defensive deficiencies, his impressive shooting numbers—42.3 percent from 3-point range last year—are tough to pass on. If Markkanen can learn to be a passable defender at the next level, he could be an impact player for years to come.
11. Charlotte Hornets- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard, Louisville: This is probably a little high for the Louisville guard, but the Hornets could use a dynamic scorer to take some of the burden. At the back end of the lottery, teams can't be worried about reaching; they just need to take the player they think works best for them.
12. Detroit Pistons- Zach Collins, Center, Gonzaga: The reason Zach Collins continues to rise up the boards is potential. He only played one year at Gonzaga, which is a small sample size, but his 65 percent shooting from the field, including 47 percent from deep, gives you a glimpse at his potential. Collins is the prototypical “new NBA big man” and he fits the mold almost to a T, as he runs the floor incredibly well for his size, creates spacing. He will need to add strength and play more basketball, but the potential is there.
13. Denver Nuggets- OJ Anubody, Small Forward, Indiana: Anunoby is a freak athlete who will likely spend the better part of the next decade harassing people on defense. He could've been a first round pick last year, too. He hurt his knee at Indiana this year so his stock is a little bit mysterious, and his offense is still a question mark.
14. Miami Heat- John Collins, Power Forward, Wake Forest: Collins is high-ceiling frontcourt player who fills somewhat of a need. Collins was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season; if he can develop more range on his shot, he'll be a steal at this point in the draft. His development under head coach Danny Manning from his freshman to his sophomore season was impressive.
15. Portland Trail Blazers- Jarrett Allen, Center, Texas: Allen spent most of the year overshadowed by bigger freshmen stars on better teams, but Allen quietly got much better as the year unfolded at Texas. He's still raw, and he may be a year or two from playing meaningful minutes, but he will get drafted top 30 because of Myles Turner comparisons alone. This would be a steal for Brooklyn.
16. Chicago Bulls- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina: It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Justin Patton, Center, Creighton: There's been plenty of attention paid to this as a point guard-heavy draft. But it's also one of the deepest drafts for talented young big men that we've seen in a long time. Although he needs to put on some muscle so he can hang with NBA bigs, Patton is a superb athlete for a 7-footer, and showed impressive offensive versatility at Creighton as well. He may take some time to fill his potential, but the potential is certainly there.
18. Indiana Pacers- Henry Giles, Power Forward/Center, Duke: The talk around the Pacers is that they want to find an ideal player to put next to burgeoning star Myles Turner. Whether they do that by trading Paul George or not, Giles has massive upside as a formerly presumed top pick whose history of knee surgeries will cause him to drop at least 10 spots.
19. Atlanta Hawks- Bam Adebayo, Power Forward/Center, Kentucky: Bam spent most of the college basketball season as a fixture in first-round projections, but a rough tournament saw him slip. He's been surging back up various mocks in recent weeks. His shooting is what's caught teams off guard—for example, there's more skill on display in this DraftExpress video than we saw in four months at Kentucky. The Hawks are staring down Paul Millsap's free agency and they just traded Dwight Howard; big man makes sense. And while Adebayo was a fringe first rounder when he was seen strictly as a rim runner, the possibility of perimeter skills might make him too hard to pass up here.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (from Memphis Grizzlies)- Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard, Australia: Ferguson, an Oklahoma native, was inconsistent while playing in Australia this season. But that shouldn't affect his standing with NBA scouts too much. He only shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range in 30 games. Not good. But that's not an accurate reflection of how well the former Arizona signee can actually shoot from beyond the arc.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- DJ Wilson, Power Forward, Michigan: The Thunder are one of several teams in the 20s rumored to be high on Wilson. His shooting range, size and defensive versatility hold obvious appeal as the Thunder continue to search for the right pieces to support Russell Westbrook.
22. Brooklyn Nets (from Washington Wizards)- Ike Anigbogu, Center, UCLA: Anigbogu is perhaps the most unproven prospect that has first round potential. His stock’s been on the rise for a few weeks now, and I get a feeling some time will jump on him earlier then he should be taken. He only played 13 MPG as he battled injuries at UCLA, but he’s 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, and his potential is enticing.
23. Toronto Raptors- TJ Leaf, Power Forward, UCLA: Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range this season. He was overshadowed by his teammates at UCLA but still a statistical monster. He's a perfect stretch-4 for the modern-day NBA.
24. Utah Jazz- Semi Ojeleye, Small Forward, SMU: Ojeleye started his college career at Duke, where he was just a bit player. But the 6-7 forward was tremendous at SMU this season. He averaged 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the Mustangs to American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
25. Orlando Magic (from Toronto Raptors via Los Angeles Clippers)- Jawun Evans, Point Guard, Oklahoma State: Evans is undersized at 5'11, but he's quick and creative, and he was a nightmare in the pick-and-roll at Oklahoma State. Those skills translate in the NBA. At worst, he'd be a fun spark off the bench. At best, his shooting improves—37% from three last year—and catches up with his ability to create off the dribble, and he becomes a real steal late in the first.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (from Cleveland Cavaliers)- Anzejs Pasecniks, Center, Latvia: I can't pretend to be a Pasečņiks expert, but this workout video is impressive, and he should land somewhere in the 20s. He's mobile, he's massive, and he's got good touch on his jumper. He'll be an enticing option for teams that don't necessarily need a rookie to matriculate to the league next year. If the Blazers keep all three of their picks, they'll fit that description.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Brooklyn Nets via Boston Celtics)- Tyler Lydon, Small Forward, Syracuse: Lydon shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at Syracuse and averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He'll be a stretch-4 in the NBA and should be capable of cracking a rotation as a rookie thanks to that reliable jumper.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (from Houston Rockets)- Josh Hart, Shooting Guard, Villanova: Hart's offensive ceiling is limited, but he can knock down open looks, and he'd be able to defend either guard spot. He's also got a high basketball IQ that'll allow them to work in a number of different roles for a good team. Hart would make sense for the Lakers if they keep this pick.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Jordan Bell, Power Forward, Oregon: Bell is one of the best defensive prospects in the draft, and probably the best pick-and-roll defender of any big man on the board. What he lacks in size at forward (6'8"), he makes up for with wingspan (7'0") and excellent foot speed.
30. Utah Jazz (from Golden State Warriors)- Jonah Bolden, Power Forward, Australia: Bolden’s drastic 3-point improvement has driven his draft stock. He was just 9 of 36 (25 percent) on 3-pointers from the college arc in 2015-16, and he jumped to 68 of 168 (41 percent) from the deeper international arc this season. Streamlined mechanics and extra reps were the recipe for him to showcase his NBA potential. His shooting and slashing could be highly effective in a lineup next to Rudy Gobert or Gordon Hayward.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
2017 NBA Mock Draft: Fifth Edition
Here is the fourth edition of my 2017 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (via Boston Celtics)- Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington: It’s time to start chasing some results in Philly. By adding Fultz, the Sixers have a core built for serious contention in the future. Washington’s absence from the NCAA tournament will raise some concerns, but not enough for the 76ers to pass on his upside. With Fultz and Ben Simmons both set to start, the race for the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award is already interesting.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA: Did anyone notice Lakers president Magic Johnson didn't look too upset about not getting the No. 1 pick? That's because, I think, he now knows the pressure is off. He doesn't have to pick between Ball and Fultz. Now he can just take Ball once Fultz is off the board. And the Lakers are suddenly interesting again, if nothing else.
3. Boston Celtics (via Philadelphia 76ers)- Jayson Tatum, Small Forward, Duke: Expect more trade discussions to take place involving this selection, but if the Celtics keep their pick, expect them to draft a wing. This could be Josh Jackson (who may have greater value in a deal), but the better fit for Boston would be Tatum, thanks to his potential to space the floor, play some power forward and become a go-to scorer down the line. Jackson’s well-publicized decision not to work out for the Celtics is worth noting.
4. Phoenix Suns- Josh Jackson, Small Forward, Kansas: Jackson is too good on both ends to pass up if he slides to four. In that case, here's to betting that Phoenix stays committed to Eric Bledsoe and grabs a two-way swingman to complement Booker's offense with a new-age Iguodala who can play every game at 120 MPH. Jackson's jumper will be a work in progress, but if he finds a team that doesn't need him to carry the offense, he could be a lot of fun.
5. Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia 76ers)- De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky: The Kings are desperately in need of a young point guard with a high ceiling, and Fox is exactly that. At 6-4, he has nice size for the position and is super-fast with the ball. He was sensational in Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over UCLA while finishing with 39 points. Fox and Buddy Hield would be a nice back court.
6. Orlando Magic- Dennis Smith Jr, Point Guard, North Carolina State: The Magic haven't had a coherent identity in several years, so I'm worried about sending Smith here. If you asked, "What's the NBA version of NC State?" I'm pretty sure the answer is Orlando. Likewise, there are choices to make elsewhere on the roster that'll go a long way toward determining exactly what the Magic want from this draft. Elfrid Payton probably isn't the answer, though, and while the team transitions to new management under John Hammond and Jeff Weltman, it would make sense to grab the player with the best chance at stardom. At 6, that's Smith.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jonathan Issacs, Small Forward, Florida State: The Timberwolves could take Isaac, play him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and now we're talking about something with big potential. Minnesota would then have a core of Isaac, Towns, Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. Those are some nice pieces that could soon have the Timberwolves advancing in the Western Conference Playoffs.
8. New York Knicks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, France: French Frank is the biggest wild card in the top 10. He played limited minutes for his team in France and scored a meager 5 points per game. It'll likely take a few years before he's ready to produce consistently in the NBA. On the other hand, he's 6’5” with long arms and quick feet, and at the very least he projects as a terrific perimeter defender. It's worth it for the Knicks to gamble on a project player here.
9. Dallas Mavericks- Malik Monk, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Monk might give Dallas the most value and flexibility of any remaining prospect. The Mavericks would incorporate Kentucky’s marksman beautifully into their spread sets and weak-side pick-and-roll options. He’d flourish in Rick Carlisle’s system and empower the likes of Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry.
10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Zach Collins, Center, Gonzaga: The reason Zach Collins continues to rise up the boards is potential. He only played one year at Gonzaga, which is a small sample size, but his 65 percent shooting from the field, including 47 percent from deep, gives you a glimpse at his potential. Collins is the prototypical “new NBA big man” and he fits the mold almost to a T, as he runs the floor incredibly well for his size, creates spacing. He will need to add strength and play more basketball, but the potential is there.
11. Charlotte Hornets- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard, Louisville: This is probably a little high for the Louisville guard, but the Hornets could use a dynamic scorer to take some of the burden. At the back end of the lottery, teams can't be worried about reaching; they just need to take the player they think works best for them.
12. Detroit Pistons- Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Arizona: Markkanen is a modern-day stretch-4 who shot 42.3 percent from 3-point range this season. This would be a steal here for the Pistons, who can use some more shooting. There is talk of Markkanen going in the top ten and possibly the top five.
13. Denver Nuggets- OJ Anubody, Small Forward, Indiana: Anunoby is a freak athlete who will likely spend the better part of the next decade harassing people on defense. He could've been a first round pick last year, too. He hurt his knee at Indiana this year so his stock is a little bit mysterious, and his offense is still a question mark.
14. Miami Heat- Miami Heat- Luke Kennard, Shooting Guard, Duke: Next to Markkanen and Monk, Luke Kennard is one of the three best shooters in the draft. Miami is a team that could use the help stretching the floor on offense. Likewise, the Heat have pieces on the perimeter (Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow) and inside (Hassan Whiteside) to help hide Kennard's weaknesses on defense. Kennard could be a very solid role player for a good team, and depending on what happens later this summer, the Heat may be closer to that category than we realize.
15. Portland Trail Blazers- John Collins, Power Forward, Wake Forest: Collins is high-ceiling frontcourt player who fills somewhat of a need. Collins was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season; if he can develop more range on his shot, he'll be a steal at this point in the draft. His development under head coach Danny Manning from his freshman to his sophomore season was impressive.
16. Chicago Bulls- TJ Leaf, Power Forward, UCLA: Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range this season. He was overshadowed by his teammates at UCLA but still a statistical monster. He's a perfect stretch-4 for the modern-day NBA.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Harry Giles, Power Forward, Duke: Giles is another player coming off an injury who could turn into a steal with the right health and the right team. Milwaukee needs a point guard, but the answer won't be available at 17, and they probably won't find much value on the wing, either. That leaves any number of big men to choose from, and Milwaukee has a history of gambling on draft night. Yes, GM John Hammond isn't there anymore, and GM Jon Horst has been on the job for less than a week, but let's say they keep tradition alive and swing big.
18. Indiana Pacers- Ike Anigbogu, Center, UCLA: Assuming Paul George winds up elsewhere in, give or take, the next 365 days, the Pacers need to start positioning themselves for the future. Anigbogu is one of the youngest, toolsiest big men in the class and gives Indiana an intriguing project. He’s a player who could eventually take some defensive pressure off of Myles Turner.
19. Atlanta Hawks- Justin Patton, Center, Creighton: There's been plenty of attention paid to this as a point guard-heavy draft. But it's also one of the deepest drafts for talented young big men that we've seen in a long time. Although he needs to put on some muscle so he can hang with NBA bigs, Patton is a superb athlete for a 7-footer, and showed impressive offensive versatility at Creighton as well. He may take some time to fill his potential, but the potential is certainly there.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies)- Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard, Australia: Ferguson, an Oklahoma native, was inconsistent while playing in Australia this season. But that shouldn't affect his standing with NBA scouts too much. He only shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range in 30 games. Not good. But that's not an accurate reflection of how well the former Arizona signee can actually shoot from beyond the arc.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- DJ Wilson, Power Forward, Michigan: The Thunder are one of several teams in the 20s rumored to be high on Wilson. His shooting range, size and defensive versatility hold obvious appeal as the Thunder continue to search for the right pieces to support Russell Westbrook.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards)- Jarrett Allen, Center, Texas: Allen spent most of the year overshadowed by bigger freshmen stars on better teams, but Allen quietly got much better as the year unfolded at Texas. He's still raw, and he may be a year or two from playing meaningful minutes, but he will get drafted top 30 because of Myles Turner comparisons alone. This would be a steal for Brooklyn.
23. Toronto Raptors- Bam Adebayo, Power Forward/Center, Kentucky: Adebayo’s mobility allows him to extend his defensive range all the way out to the perimeter, which could be a major plus for the Raptors. He’s a high-energy player and brings the sort of blue-collar mentality Toronto has favored in past draftees.
24. Utah Jazz- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina: It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors via Los Angeles Clippers)- Jordan Bell, Power Forward, Oregon: Bell is one of the best defensive prospects in the draft, and probably the best pick-and-roll defender of any big man on the board. What he lacks in size at forward (6'8"), he makes up for with wingspan (7'0") and excellent foot speed.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)- Semi Ojeleye, Small Forward, SMU: Ojeleye started his college career at Duke, where he was just a bit player. But the 6-7 forward was tremendous at SMU this season. He averaged 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the Mustangs to American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (via Brooklyn Nets via Boston Celtics)- Isaiah Hartenstein, Power Forward, Lithuania: Hartenstein is the best draft-and-stash candidate available in the late first round. He played for Lithuanian league champion Zalgiris Kaunas this past season, so he had a small role on an experienced roster. Even so, he flashed substantial two-way potential during his 11 minutes per game. The Lakers will hope the 7-footer continues to develop his aggressive interior defense and perimeter scoring. Hartenstein has the physicality and ballhandling skills to produce in the paint and also play away from the basket.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Tyler Lydon, Small Forward, Syracuse: Lydon shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at Syracuse and averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He'll be a stretch-4 in the NBA and should be capable of cracking a rotation as a rookie thanks to that reliable jumper.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Ivan Rabb, Power Forward/Center, California: The Spurs have largely worked out mobile bigs in this draft range, which makes sense given their aging roster and a glaring long-term need for rim protection. Rabb is a strong rebounder and a player once considered a potential lottery pick. He makes sense here as an investment for San Antonio, where he can focus on a smaller role and refine his offensive skills.
30. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors)- Kyle Kuzma, Small Forward, Utah: Although the most skilled forwards like Collins, Leaf and Lydon are off the board, the Jazz still have a couple of options. Polished players like Ivan Rabb or Kule Kuzma will likely be available at No. 30. Give Kuzma the edge because he has more perimeter potential. At 6-9.5 in shoes with a 7-0.25 wingspan, Kuzma has the size of a power forward with a lot of wing-like skills. He’s comfortable putting the ball on the deck, shooting from 3-range and connecting with open teammates. And when he gets the rock near the hoop, he has great hands and footwork to finish.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (via Boston Celtics)- Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington: It’s time to start chasing some results in Philly. By adding Fultz, the Sixers have a core built for serious contention in the future. Washington’s absence from the NCAA tournament will raise some concerns, but not enough for the 76ers to pass on his upside. With Fultz and Ben Simmons both set to start, the race for the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award is already interesting.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA: Did anyone notice Lakers president Magic Johnson didn't look too upset about not getting the No. 1 pick? That's because, I think, he now knows the pressure is off. He doesn't have to pick between Ball and Fultz. Now he can just take Ball once Fultz is off the board. And the Lakers are suddenly interesting again, if nothing else.
3. Boston Celtics (via Philadelphia 76ers)- Jayson Tatum, Small Forward, Duke: Expect more trade discussions to take place involving this selection, but if the Celtics keep their pick, expect them to draft a wing. This could be Josh Jackson (who may have greater value in a deal), but the better fit for Boston would be Tatum, thanks to his potential to space the floor, play some power forward and become a go-to scorer down the line. Jackson’s well-publicized decision not to work out for the Celtics is worth noting.
4. Phoenix Suns- Josh Jackson, Small Forward, Kansas: Jackson is too good on both ends to pass up if he slides to four. In that case, here's to betting that Phoenix stays committed to Eric Bledsoe and grabs a two-way swingman to complement Booker's offense with a new-age Iguodala who can play every game at 120 MPH. Jackson's jumper will be a work in progress, but if he finds a team that doesn't need him to carry the offense, he could be a lot of fun.
5. Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia 76ers)- De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky: The Kings are desperately in need of a young point guard with a high ceiling, and Fox is exactly that. At 6-4, he has nice size for the position and is super-fast with the ball. He was sensational in Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over UCLA while finishing with 39 points. Fox and Buddy Hield would be a nice back court.
6. Orlando Magic- Dennis Smith Jr, Point Guard, North Carolina State: The Magic haven't had a coherent identity in several years, so I'm worried about sending Smith here. If you asked, "What's the NBA version of NC State?" I'm pretty sure the answer is Orlando. Likewise, there are choices to make elsewhere on the roster that'll go a long way toward determining exactly what the Magic want from this draft. Elfrid Payton probably isn't the answer, though, and while the team transitions to new management under John Hammond and Jeff Weltman, it would make sense to grab the player with the best chance at stardom. At 6, that's Smith.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jonathan Issacs, Small Forward, Florida State: The Timberwolves could take Isaac, play him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and now we're talking about something with big potential. Minnesota would then have a core of Isaac, Towns, Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. Those are some nice pieces that could soon have the Timberwolves advancing in the Western Conference Playoffs.
8. New York Knicks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, France: French Frank is the biggest wild card in the top 10. He played limited minutes for his team in France and scored a meager 5 points per game. It'll likely take a few years before he's ready to produce consistently in the NBA. On the other hand, he's 6’5” with long arms and quick feet, and at the very least he projects as a terrific perimeter defender. It's worth it for the Knicks to gamble on a project player here.
9. Dallas Mavericks- Malik Monk, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Monk might give Dallas the most value and flexibility of any remaining prospect. The Mavericks would incorporate Kentucky’s marksman beautifully into their spread sets and weak-side pick-and-roll options. He’d flourish in Rick Carlisle’s system and empower the likes of Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry.
10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Zach Collins, Center, Gonzaga: The reason Zach Collins continues to rise up the boards is potential. He only played one year at Gonzaga, which is a small sample size, but his 65 percent shooting from the field, including 47 percent from deep, gives you a glimpse at his potential. Collins is the prototypical “new NBA big man” and he fits the mold almost to a T, as he runs the floor incredibly well for his size, creates spacing. He will need to add strength and play more basketball, but the potential is there.
11. Charlotte Hornets- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard, Louisville: This is probably a little high for the Louisville guard, but the Hornets could use a dynamic scorer to take some of the burden. At the back end of the lottery, teams can't be worried about reaching; they just need to take the player they think works best for them.
12. Detroit Pistons- Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Arizona: Markkanen is a modern-day stretch-4 who shot 42.3 percent from 3-point range this season. This would be a steal here for the Pistons, who can use some more shooting. There is talk of Markkanen going in the top ten and possibly the top five.
13. Denver Nuggets- OJ Anubody, Small Forward, Indiana: Anunoby is a freak athlete who will likely spend the better part of the next decade harassing people on defense. He could've been a first round pick last year, too. He hurt his knee at Indiana this year so his stock is a little bit mysterious, and his offense is still a question mark.
14. Miami Heat- Miami Heat- Luke Kennard, Shooting Guard, Duke: Next to Markkanen and Monk, Luke Kennard is one of the three best shooters in the draft. Miami is a team that could use the help stretching the floor on offense. Likewise, the Heat have pieces on the perimeter (Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow) and inside (Hassan Whiteside) to help hide Kennard's weaknesses on defense. Kennard could be a very solid role player for a good team, and depending on what happens later this summer, the Heat may be closer to that category than we realize.
15. Portland Trail Blazers- John Collins, Power Forward, Wake Forest: Collins is high-ceiling frontcourt player who fills somewhat of a need. Collins was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season; if he can develop more range on his shot, he'll be a steal at this point in the draft. His development under head coach Danny Manning from his freshman to his sophomore season was impressive.
16. Chicago Bulls- TJ Leaf, Power Forward, UCLA: Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range this season. He was overshadowed by his teammates at UCLA but still a statistical monster. He's a perfect stretch-4 for the modern-day NBA.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Harry Giles, Power Forward, Duke: Giles is another player coming off an injury who could turn into a steal with the right health and the right team. Milwaukee needs a point guard, but the answer won't be available at 17, and they probably won't find much value on the wing, either. That leaves any number of big men to choose from, and Milwaukee has a history of gambling on draft night. Yes, GM John Hammond isn't there anymore, and GM Jon Horst has been on the job for less than a week, but let's say they keep tradition alive and swing big.
18. Indiana Pacers- Ike Anigbogu, Center, UCLA: Assuming Paul George winds up elsewhere in, give or take, the next 365 days, the Pacers need to start positioning themselves for the future. Anigbogu is one of the youngest, toolsiest big men in the class and gives Indiana an intriguing project. He’s a player who could eventually take some defensive pressure off of Myles Turner.
19. Atlanta Hawks- Justin Patton, Center, Creighton: There's been plenty of attention paid to this as a point guard-heavy draft. But it's also one of the deepest drafts for talented young big men that we've seen in a long time. Although he needs to put on some muscle so he can hang with NBA bigs, Patton is a superb athlete for a 7-footer, and showed impressive offensive versatility at Creighton as well. He may take some time to fill his potential, but the potential is certainly there.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies)- Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard, Australia: Ferguson, an Oklahoma native, was inconsistent while playing in Australia this season. But that shouldn't affect his standing with NBA scouts too much. He only shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range in 30 games. Not good. But that's not an accurate reflection of how well the former Arizona signee can actually shoot from beyond the arc.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- DJ Wilson, Power Forward, Michigan: The Thunder are one of several teams in the 20s rumored to be high on Wilson. His shooting range, size and defensive versatility hold obvious appeal as the Thunder continue to search for the right pieces to support Russell Westbrook.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards)- Jarrett Allen, Center, Texas: Allen spent most of the year overshadowed by bigger freshmen stars on better teams, but Allen quietly got much better as the year unfolded at Texas. He's still raw, and he may be a year or two from playing meaningful minutes, but he will get drafted top 30 because of Myles Turner comparisons alone. This would be a steal for Brooklyn.
23. Toronto Raptors- Bam Adebayo, Power Forward/Center, Kentucky: Adebayo’s mobility allows him to extend his defensive range all the way out to the perimeter, which could be a major plus for the Raptors. He’s a high-energy player and brings the sort of blue-collar mentality Toronto has favored in past draftees.
24. Utah Jazz- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina: It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors via Los Angeles Clippers)- Jordan Bell, Power Forward, Oregon: Bell is one of the best defensive prospects in the draft, and probably the best pick-and-roll defender of any big man on the board. What he lacks in size at forward (6'8"), he makes up for with wingspan (7'0") and excellent foot speed.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)- Semi Ojeleye, Small Forward, SMU: Ojeleye started his college career at Duke, where he was just a bit player. But the 6-7 forward was tremendous at SMU this season. He averaged 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the Mustangs to American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (via Brooklyn Nets via Boston Celtics)- Isaiah Hartenstein, Power Forward, Lithuania: Hartenstein is the best draft-and-stash candidate available in the late first round. He played for Lithuanian league champion Zalgiris Kaunas this past season, so he had a small role on an experienced roster. Even so, he flashed substantial two-way potential during his 11 minutes per game. The Lakers will hope the 7-footer continues to develop his aggressive interior defense and perimeter scoring. Hartenstein has the physicality and ballhandling skills to produce in the paint and also play away from the basket.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Tyler Lydon, Small Forward, Syracuse: Lydon shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at Syracuse and averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He'll be a stretch-4 in the NBA and should be capable of cracking a rotation as a rookie thanks to that reliable jumper.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Ivan Rabb, Power Forward/Center, California: The Spurs have largely worked out mobile bigs in this draft range, which makes sense given their aging roster and a glaring long-term need for rim protection. Rabb is a strong rebounder and a player once considered a potential lottery pick. He makes sense here as an investment for San Antonio, where he can focus on a smaller role and refine his offensive skills.
30. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors)- Kyle Kuzma, Small Forward, Utah: Although the most skilled forwards like Collins, Leaf and Lydon are off the board, the Jazz still have a couple of options. Polished players like Ivan Rabb or Kule Kuzma will likely be available at No. 30. Give Kuzma the edge because he has more perimeter potential. At 6-9.5 in shoes with a 7-0.25 wingspan, Kuzma has the size of a power forward with a lot of wing-like skills. He’s comfortable putting the ball on the deck, shooting from 3-range and connecting with open teammates. And when he gets the rock near the hoop, he has great hands and footwork to finish.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
2017 NBA Mock Draft: Fourth Edition
Here is the fourth edition of my 2017 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (via Boston Celtics)- Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington: It’s time to start chasing some results in Philly. By adding Fultz, the Sixers have a core built for serious contention in the future. Washington’s absence from the NCAA tournament will raise some concerns, but not enough for the 76ers to pass on his upside. With Fultz and Ben Simmons both set to start, the race for the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award is already interesting.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA: Did anyone notice Lakers president Magic Johnson didn't look too upset about not getting the No. 1 pick? That's because, I think, he now knows the pressure is off. He doesn't have to pick between Ball and Fultz. Now he can just take Ball once Fultz is off the board. And the Lakers are suddenly interesting again, if nothing else.
3. Boston Celtics (via Philadelphia 76ers)- Josh Jackson, Small Forward, Kansas: This pick is more than likely getting traded, but if the Celtics keep it, Jackson sounds like the man the Celtics like most. Big and versatile wing players are always in high demand. With Fultz and Ball off the board, Jackson may also be the best player available.
4. Phoenix Suns- Jayson Tatum, Small Forward, Duke: This may be the best-case scenario pick for Phoenix: Tatum is a complete player who brings some defensive ability to the perimeter that current Suns wings TJ Warren and Devin Booksr lack. He could easily be a top overall pick if this draft weren’t so loaded. Great fit.
5. Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia 76ers)- De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky: The Kings are desperately in need of a young point guard with a high ceiling, and Fox is exactly that. At 6-4, he has nice size for the position and is super-fast with the ball. He was sensational in Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over UCLA while finishing with 39 points. Fox and Buddy Hield would be a nice back court.
6. Orlando Magic- Dennis Smith Jr, Point Guard, North Carolina State: The Magic haven't had a coherent identity in several years, so I'm worried about sending Smith here. If you asked, "What's the NBA version of NC State?" I'm pretty sure the answer is Orlando. Likewise, there are choices to make elsewhere on the roster that'll go a long way toward determining exactly what the Magic want from this draft. Elfrid Payton probably isn't the answer, though, and while the team transitions to new management under John Hammond and Jeff Weltman, it would make sense to grab the player with the best chance at stardom. At 6, that's Smith.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jonathan Issacs, Small Forward, Florida State: The Timberwolves could take Isaac, play him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and now we're talking about something with big potential. Minnesota would then have a core of Isaac, Towns, Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. Those are some nice pieces that could soon have the Timberwolves advancing in the Western Conference Playoffs.
8. New York Knicks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, France: French Frank is the biggest wild card in the top 10. He played limited minutes for his team in France and scored a meager 5 points per game. It'll likely take a few years before he's ready to produce consistently in the NBA. On the other hand, he's 6’5” with long arms and quick feet, and at the very least he projects as a terrific perimeter defender. It's worth it for the Knicks to gamble on a project player here.
9. Dallas Mavericks- Malik Monk, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Monk might give Dallas the most value and flexibility of any remaining prospect. The Mavericks would incorporate Kentucky’s marksman beautifully into their spread sets and weak-side pick-and-roll options. He’d flourish in Rick Carlisle’s system and empower the likes of Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry.
10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Arizona: With a potential franchise point guard already on the way, the Kings can address their frontcourt with pick No. 10. Markkanen is the logical choice as the first true post player to come off the board, giving Sacramento two players who complement each other nicely. While the Arizona freshman has clear defensive deficiencies, his impressive shooting numbers—42.3 percent from 3-point range last year—are tough to pass on. If Markkanen can learn to be a passable defender at the next level, he could be an impact player for years to come.
11. Charlotte Hornets- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard, Louisville: This is probably a little high for the Louisville guard, but the Hornets could use a dynamic scorer to take some of the burden. At the back end of the lottery, teams can't be worried about reaching; they just need to take the player they think works best for them.
12. Detroit Pistons- Zach Collins, Center, Gonzaga: The reason Zach Collins continues to rise up the boards is potential. He only played one year at Gonzaga, which is a small sample size, but his 65 percent shooting from the field, including 47 percent from deep, gives you a glimpse at his potential. Collins is the prototypical “new NBA big man” and he fits the mold almost to a T, as he runs the floor incredibly well for his size, creates spacing. He will need to add strength and play more basketball, but the potential is there.
13. Denver Nuggets- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina: It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.
14. Miami Heat- Luke Kennard, Shooting Guard, Duke: Next to Markkanen and Monk, Luke Kennard is one of the three best shooters in the draft. Miami is a team that could use the help stretching the floor on offense. Likewise, the Heat have pieces on the perimeter (Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow) and inside (Hassan Whiteside) to help hide Kennard's weaknesses on defense. Kennard could be a very solid role player for a good team, and depending on what happens later this summer, the Heat may be closer to that category than we realize.
15. Portland Trail Blazers- Jarrett Allen, Center, Texas: Allen spent most of the year overshadowed by bigger freshmen stars on better teams, but Allen quietly got much better as the year unfolded at Texas. He's still raw, and he may be a year or two from playing meaningful minutes, but he will get drafted top 20 because of Myles Turner comparisons alone.
16. Chicago Bulls- OJ Anubody, Small Forward, Indiana: Anunoby is a freak athlete who will likely spend the better part of the next decade harassing people on defense. He could've been a first round pick last year, too. He hurt his knee at Indiana this year so his stock is a little bit mysterious, and his offense is still a question mark.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Harry Giles, Power Forward, Duke: Giles is another player coming off an injury who could turn into a steal with the right health and the right team. Milwaukee needs a point guard, but the answer won't be available at 17, and they probably won't find much value on the wing, either. That leaves any number of big men to choose from, and Milwaukee has a history of gambling on draft night. Yes, GM John Hammond isn't there anymore, and GM Jon Horst has been on the job for less than a week, but let's say they keep tradition alive and swing big.
18. Indiana Pacers- John Collins, Power Forward, Wake Forest: Collins is high-ceiling frontcourt player who fills somewhat of a need. Collins was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season; if he can develop more range on his shot, he'll be a steal at this point in the draft. His development under head coach Danny Manning from his freshman to his sophomore season was impressive.
19. Atlanta Hawks- Justin Patton, Center, Creighton: There's been plenty of attention paid to this as a point guard-heavy draft. But it's also one of the deepest drafts for talented young big men that we've seen in a long time. Although he needs to put on some muscle so he can hang with NBA bigs, Patton is a superb athlete for a 7-footer, and showed impressive offensive versatility at Creighton as well. He may take some time to fill his potential, but the potential is certainly there.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies)- Ike Anigbogu, Center, UCLA: The Blazers could use of a couple of their first rounders to take players who are years away and need developing. Anigbogu is perhaps the most unproven prospect that has first round potential. His stock’s been on the rise for a few weeks now, and I get a feeling some time will jump on him earlier then he should be taken. He only played 13 MPG as he battled injuries at UCLA, but he’s 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, and his potential is enticing. Anigbogu would have to develop behind Jusuf Nurkic and whatever bigs the Blazers decide to move forward with from that jumbled mess of players.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard, Australia: Ferguson, an Oklahoma native, was inconsistent while playing in Australia this season. But that shouldn't affect his standing with NBA scouts too much. He only shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range in 30 games. Not good. But that's not an accurate reflection of how well the former Arizona signee can actually shoot from beyond the arc.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards)- TJ Leaf, Power Forward, UCLA: Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range this season. He was overshadowed by his teammates at UCLA but still a statistical monster. He's a perfect stretch-4 for the modern-day NBA.
23. Toronto Raptors- Anzejs Pasecniks, Center, Latvia: The Raptors have a ton of questions to answer this summer—beginning with Lowry and Serge Ibaka in free agency, and continuing with Jonas Valanciunas's future. As things get crowded and expensive, a potential draft-and-stash option may be more attractive in this spot. Pasecniks is mobile with good touch on his jumper and he'd be a decent investment in the future, particularly if Valanciunas isn't sticking around long-term.
24. Utah Jazz- Semi Ojeleye, Small Forward, SMU: Ojeleye started his college career at Duke, where he was just a bit player. But the 6-7 forward was tremendous at SMU this season. He averaged 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the Mustangs to American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors via Los Angeles Clippers)- DJ Wilson, Power Forward, Michigan: Michigan’s standout junior has a multidimensional, multipositional future in the NBA. If he continues the improvement we saw in Ann Arbor, the Magic will be able to plug him in to a variety of lineups. Right now, he doesn’t have the base strength to win low-block battles against 5s. However, his 7-3 wingspan and 9-1.5 standing reach will enable him to grow into a combo-big who alters shots around the rim. Wilson also has the offensive skills and agility to make an inside-out impact. He can rise way above the cup on drives and pick-and-rolls, and he has a promising outside jumper. Wilson improved his 3-point percentage to 37 percent and his free-throw percentage to 83 percent in 2016-17.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)- Isaiah Hartenstein, Power Forward, Lithuania: Hartenstein is the best draft-and-stash candidate available in the late first round. He played for Lithuanian league champion Zalgiris Kaunas this past season, so he had a small role on an experienced roster. Even so, he flashed substantial two-way potential during his 11 minutes per game. Portland will hope the 7-footer continues to develop his aggressive interior defense and perimeter scoring. Hartenstein has the physicality and ballhandling skills to produce in the paint and also play away from the basket.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston Celtics)- Tyler Lydon, Small Forward, Syracuse: Lydon shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at Syracuse and averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He'll be a stretch-4 in the NBA and should be capable of cracking a rotation as a rookie thanks to that reliable jumper.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Jawun Evans, Point Guard, Oklahoma State: Evans is undersized at 5'11, but he's quick and creative, and he was a nightmare in the pick-and-roll at Oklahoma State. Those skills translate in the NBA. At worst, he'd be a fun spark off the bench. At best, his shooting improves—37% from three last year—and catches up with his ability to create off the dribble, and he becomes a real steal late in the first.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Jordan Bell, Power Forward, Oregon: Bell is one of the best defensive prospects in the draft, and probably the best pick-and-roll defender of any big man on the board. What he lacks in size at forward (6'8"), he makes up for with wingspan (7'0") and excellent foot speed. The Spurs' cap sheet could be getting tight if they try to add Chris Paul or George Hill this summer, and they'll likely lose Dwayne Dedmon regardless. Adding an extra big man who can actually contribute will be crucial, and Bell might be the safest bet available from 20-40.
30. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors)- Kyle Kuzma, Small Forward, Utah: Although the most skilled forwards like Collins, Leaf and Lydon are off the board, the Jazz still have a couple of options. Polished players like Ivan Rabb or Kule Kuzma will likely be available at No. 30. Give Kuzma the edge because he has more perimeter potential. At 6-9.5 in shoes with a 7-0.25 wingspan, Kuzma has the size of a power forward with a lot of wing-like skills. He’s comfortable putting the ball on the deck, shooting from 3-range and connecting with open teammates. And when he gets the rock near the hoop, he has great hands and footwork to finish.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (via Boston Celtics)- Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington: It’s time to start chasing some results in Philly. By adding Fultz, the Sixers have a core built for serious contention in the future. Washington’s absence from the NCAA tournament will raise some concerns, but not enough for the 76ers to pass on his upside. With Fultz and Ben Simmons both set to start, the race for the 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year award is already interesting.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA: Did anyone notice Lakers president Magic Johnson didn't look too upset about not getting the No. 1 pick? That's because, I think, he now knows the pressure is off. He doesn't have to pick between Ball and Fultz. Now he can just take Ball once Fultz is off the board. And the Lakers are suddenly interesting again, if nothing else.
3. Boston Celtics (via Philadelphia 76ers)- Josh Jackson, Small Forward, Kansas: This pick is more than likely getting traded, but if the Celtics keep it, Jackson sounds like the man the Celtics like most. Big and versatile wing players are always in high demand. With Fultz and Ball off the board, Jackson may also be the best player available.
4. Phoenix Suns- Jayson Tatum, Small Forward, Duke: This may be the best-case scenario pick for Phoenix: Tatum is a complete player who brings some defensive ability to the perimeter that current Suns wings TJ Warren and Devin Booksr lack. He could easily be a top overall pick if this draft weren’t so loaded. Great fit.
5. Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia 76ers)- De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky: The Kings are desperately in need of a young point guard with a high ceiling, and Fox is exactly that. At 6-4, he has nice size for the position and is super-fast with the ball. He was sensational in Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over UCLA while finishing with 39 points. Fox and Buddy Hield would be a nice back court.
6. Orlando Magic- Dennis Smith Jr, Point Guard, North Carolina State: The Magic haven't had a coherent identity in several years, so I'm worried about sending Smith here. If you asked, "What's the NBA version of NC State?" I'm pretty sure the answer is Orlando. Likewise, there are choices to make elsewhere on the roster that'll go a long way toward determining exactly what the Magic want from this draft. Elfrid Payton probably isn't the answer, though, and while the team transitions to new management under John Hammond and Jeff Weltman, it would make sense to grab the player with the best chance at stardom. At 6, that's Smith.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jonathan Issacs, Small Forward, Florida State: The Timberwolves could take Isaac, play him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and now we're talking about something with big potential. Minnesota would then have a core of Isaac, Towns, Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. Those are some nice pieces that could soon have the Timberwolves advancing in the Western Conference Playoffs.
8. New York Knicks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, France: French Frank is the biggest wild card in the top 10. He played limited minutes for his team in France and scored a meager 5 points per game. It'll likely take a few years before he's ready to produce consistently in the NBA. On the other hand, he's 6’5” with long arms and quick feet, and at the very least he projects as a terrific perimeter defender. It's worth it for the Knicks to gamble on a project player here.
9. Dallas Mavericks- Malik Monk, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Monk might give Dallas the most value and flexibility of any remaining prospect. The Mavericks would incorporate Kentucky’s marksman beautifully into their spread sets and weak-side pick-and-roll options. He’d flourish in Rick Carlisle’s system and empower the likes of Harrison Barnes and Seth Curry.
10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Arizona: With a potential franchise point guard already on the way, the Kings can address their frontcourt with pick No. 10. Markkanen is the logical choice as the first true post player to come off the board, giving Sacramento two players who complement each other nicely. While the Arizona freshman has clear defensive deficiencies, his impressive shooting numbers—42.3 percent from 3-point range last year—are tough to pass on. If Markkanen can learn to be a passable defender at the next level, he could be an impact player for years to come.
11. Charlotte Hornets- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard, Louisville: This is probably a little high for the Louisville guard, but the Hornets could use a dynamic scorer to take some of the burden. At the back end of the lottery, teams can't be worried about reaching; they just need to take the player they think works best for them.
12. Detroit Pistons- Zach Collins, Center, Gonzaga: The reason Zach Collins continues to rise up the boards is potential. He only played one year at Gonzaga, which is a small sample size, but his 65 percent shooting from the field, including 47 percent from deep, gives you a glimpse at his potential. Collins is the prototypical “new NBA big man” and he fits the mold almost to a T, as he runs the floor incredibly well for his size, creates spacing. He will need to add strength and play more basketball, but the potential is there.
13. Denver Nuggets- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina: It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.
14. Miami Heat- Luke Kennard, Shooting Guard, Duke: Next to Markkanen and Monk, Luke Kennard is one of the three best shooters in the draft. Miami is a team that could use the help stretching the floor on offense. Likewise, the Heat have pieces on the perimeter (Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow) and inside (Hassan Whiteside) to help hide Kennard's weaknesses on defense. Kennard could be a very solid role player for a good team, and depending on what happens later this summer, the Heat may be closer to that category than we realize.
15. Portland Trail Blazers- Jarrett Allen, Center, Texas: Allen spent most of the year overshadowed by bigger freshmen stars on better teams, but Allen quietly got much better as the year unfolded at Texas. He's still raw, and he may be a year or two from playing meaningful minutes, but he will get drafted top 20 because of Myles Turner comparisons alone.
16. Chicago Bulls- OJ Anubody, Small Forward, Indiana: Anunoby is a freak athlete who will likely spend the better part of the next decade harassing people on defense. He could've been a first round pick last year, too. He hurt his knee at Indiana this year so his stock is a little bit mysterious, and his offense is still a question mark.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Harry Giles, Power Forward, Duke: Giles is another player coming off an injury who could turn into a steal with the right health and the right team. Milwaukee needs a point guard, but the answer won't be available at 17, and they probably won't find much value on the wing, either. That leaves any number of big men to choose from, and Milwaukee has a history of gambling on draft night. Yes, GM John Hammond isn't there anymore, and GM Jon Horst has been on the job for less than a week, but let's say they keep tradition alive and swing big.
18. Indiana Pacers- John Collins, Power Forward, Wake Forest: Collins is high-ceiling frontcourt player who fills somewhat of a need. Collins was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season; if he can develop more range on his shot, he'll be a steal at this point in the draft. His development under head coach Danny Manning from his freshman to his sophomore season was impressive.
19. Atlanta Hawks- Justin Patton, Center, Creighton: There's been plenty of attention paid to this as a point guard-heavy draft. But it's also one of the deepest drafts for talented young big men that we've seen in a long time. Although he needs to put on some muscle so he can hang with NBA bigs, Patton is a superb athlete for a 7-footer, and showed impressive offensive versatility at Creighton as well. He may take some time to fill his potential, but the potential is certainly there.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies)- Ike Anigbogu, Center, UCLA: The Blazers could use of a couple of their first rounders to take players who are years away and need developing. Anigbogu is perhaps the most unproven prospect that has first round potential. His stock’s been on the rise for a few weeks now, and I get a feeling some time will jump on him earlier then he should be taken. He only played 13 MPG as he battled injuries at UCLA, but he’s 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, and his potential is enticing. Anigbogu would have to develop behind Jusuf Nurkic and whatever bigs the Blazers decide to move forward with from that jumbled mess of players.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard, Australia: Ferguson, an Oklahoma native, was inconsistent while playing in Australia this season. But that shouldn't affect his standing with NBA scouts too much. He only shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range in 30 games. Not good. But that's not an accurate reflection of how well the former Arizona signee can actually shoot from beyond the arc.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards)- TJ Leaf, Power Forward, UCLA: Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range this season. He was overshadowed by his teammates at UCLA but still a statistical monster. He's a perfect stretch-4 for the modern-day NBA.
23. Toronto Raptors- Anzejs Pasecniks, Center, Latvia: The Raptors have a ton of questions to answer this summer—beginning with Lowry and Serge Ibaka in free agency, and continuing with Jonas Valanciunas's future. As things get crowded and expensive, a potential draft-and-stash option may be more attractive in this spot. Pasecniks is mobile with good touch on his jumper and he'd be a decent investment in the future, particularly if Valanciunas isn't sticking around long-term.
24. Utah Jazz- Semi Ojeleye, Small Forward, SMU: Ojeleye started his college career at Duke, where he was just a bit player. But the 6-7 forward was tremendous at SMU this season. He averaged 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the Mustangs to American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors via Los Angeles Clippers)- DJ Wilson, Power Forward, Michigan: Michigan’s standout junior has a multidimensional, multipositional future in the NBA. If he continues the improvement we saw in Ann Arbor, the Magic will be able to plug him in to a variety of lineups. Right now, he doesn’t have the base strength to win low-block battles against 5s. However, his 7-3 wingspan and 9-1.5 standing reach will enable him to grow into a combo-big who alters shots around the rim. Wilson also has the offensive skills and agility to make an inside-out impact. He can rise way above the cup on drives and pick-and-rolls, and he has a promising outside jumper. Wilson improved his 3-point percentage to 37 percent and his free-throw percentage to 83 percent in 2016-17.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)- Isaiah Hartenstein, Power Forward, Lithuania: Hartenstein is the best draft-and-stash candidate available in the late first round. He played for Lithuanian league champion Zalgiris Kaunas this past season, so he had a small role on an experienced roster. Even so, he flashed substantial two-way potential during his 11 minutes per game. Portland will hope the 7-footer continues to develop his aggressive interior defense and perimeter scoring. Hartenstein has the physicality and ballhandling skills to produce in the paint and also play away from the basket.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston Celtics)- Tyler Lydon, Small Forward, Syracuse: Lydon shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at Syracuse and averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He'll be a stretch-4 in the NBA and should be capable of cracking a rotation as a rookie thanks to that reliable jumper.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Jawun Evans, Point Guard, Oklahoma State: Evans is undersized at 5'11, but he's quick and creative, and he was a nightmare in the pick-and-roll at Oklahoma State. Those skills translate in the NBA. At worst, he'd be a fun spark off the bench. At best, his shooting improves—37% from three last year—and catches up with his ability to create off the dribble, and he becomes a real steal late in the first.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Jordan Bell, Power Forward, Oregon: Bell is one of the best defensive prospects in the draft, and probably the best pick-and-roll defender of any big man on the board. What he lacks in size at forward (6'8"), he makes up for with wingspan (7'0") and excellent foot speed. The Spurs' cap sheet could be getting tight if they try to add Chris Paul or George Hill this summer, and they'll likely lose Dwayne Dedmon regardless. Adding an extra big man who can actually contribute will be crucial, and Bell might be the safest bet available from 20-40.
30. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors)- Kyle Kuzma, Small Forward, Utah: Although the most skilled forwards like Collins, Leaf and Lydon are off the board, the Jazz still have a couple of options. Polished players like Ivan Rabb or Kule Kuzma will likely be available at No. 30. Give Kuzma the edge because he has more perimeter potential. At 6-9.5 in shoes with a 7-0.25 wingspan, Kuzma has the size of a power forward with a lot of wing-like skills. He’s comfortable putting the ball on the deck, shooting from 3-range and connecting with open teammates. And when he gets the rock near the hoop, he has great hands and footwork to finish.
Sunday, June 18, 2017
2017 NHL Mock Draft: Third Edition
Here is my third edition of my 2017 NHL Mock Draft.
1. New Jersey Devils- Nolan Patrick, Center, Brandon (WHL): He's been the guy from the very start of the draft process. But just like in year's past, another player puts together a great season and makes a charge for the top spot. Last season it was Patrik Laine who put on a great campaign to knock off Austin Matthews for the top spot and in 2015 it was Jack Eichel who put forth a valiant effort to go number one over Connor McDavid. Just like those drafts, the team in the top spot will stick with the guy who's been at the top the whole time.
2. Philadelphia Flyers- Nico Hischier, Center, Halifax (QMJHL): The Flyers are still pumped about winning a top-three selection in the draft lottery, so they don’t really care whether it’s Nolan or Nico. They get Nico, an extremely promising playmaker, and make him the highest-drafted Swiss player of all time.
3. Dallas Stars- Casey Mittelsdalt, Center, Eden (High-MN): At 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds, Mittelstadt has ideal size to go along with his elite skill. Playing for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL, the centre put up 30 points in just 24 games. He has a fantastic first step and can use his quickness to make defenders miss.
4. Colorado Avalanche- Miro Heiskanen, Defenseman, HIFK Helsinki (SM-Liiga): Heiskanen is an excellent two-way defender with top-pairing potential. Having played his entire draft year in Finland’s top professional league, Heiskanen is one of the most pro-ready prospects available.
5. Vancouver Canucks- Gabriel Vilardi, Center, Windsor (OHL): One of the OHL's top players in 2016/17, Vilardi is a big centre who has great offensive awareness and the dynamic skill to take advantage. While he is not the fastest player on the ice, he can maneuver in a phone booth and make things happen with a great passing ability.
6. Las Vegas Golden Knights- Cody Glass, Center, Portland (WHL): Having grown a couple of inches and gained some muscle in the process, Glass has been rising up draft boards around the NHL. Glass plays strong on the puck and uses his excellent speed to create space and finish with his quick release.
7. Arizona Coyotes- Cale Makar, Defenseman, Brooks (AJHL): The Coyotes are loaded with high-end offensive talent, so they go for a dynamic blueliner who can lead the offense from the backend. Makar has some question marks, but the Coyotes see his upside and simply can’t pass up on him.
8. Buffalo Sabres- Timothy Liljegren, Defenseman, Rogle (SHL): What a year it’s been for Liljegren. After being projected as the second overall pick behind Nolan Patrick, he saw his stock drop. Nevertheless, whoever lands Liljegren will be getting a top end defensive prospect.
9. Detroit Red Wings- Nick Suzuki, Center, Owen (OHL): Even if Suzuki doesn’t end up as a pivot in the NHL, he projects as an impactful, all-situations forward. A feared penalty killer for years in the OHL, Suzuki’s offensive game blossomed this season into one of the league’s top scorers. Few draft players compete as well and as hard as him.
10. Florida Panthers- Kristian Vesalainen, Wing, Frolunda (SHL): This Finnish winger fell in draft rankings after a slower year, but the offensive skills are still there. The 6’4 winger is a power forward in the making, with a strong drive to the net and a well-developing defensive game.
11. Los Angeles Kings- Elias Pettersson, Center, Kimra (SHL): A playmaking center in the truest sense of the term, Pettersson owns a nice mix of speed, vision, and passing ability that makes him an offensive threat. He also has shown some tenacity in board play and forechecking, indicating he might become a better all-around player than he seems to be now.
12. Carolina Hurricanes- Lias Andersson, Center, HV (SHL): Andersson spent this season playing against men in the SHL and he’s looking like a very solid prospect. Andersson is an incredible skater and though he’s committed to Frolunda HC for next season, if the Islanders like what they see, it’s possible that he could move to North America in order for the organization to be able to keep a close eye on him.
13. Winnipeg Jets- Juuso Valimaki, Defenseman, Tri-City (WHL): At 13, Winnipeg is happy to pick up one of Finland’s many up-and-coming prospects in two-way defenceman Juuso Valimaki. At this point, the Jets find Eeli Tolvanen almost too good to pass up on, but they decide a D-man is the higher priority with this pick.
14. Tampa Bay Lightning- Callan Foote, Defenseman, Kelowna (WHL): Following a similar storyline to last year's draft, the Flames once again take a player with a strong NHL lineage. Foote is a big, right-shot defenceman who has a powerful shot from the point. He is able to use his size and skating ability to take away time and space from opposing forwards.
15. New York Islanders- Owen Tippett, Wing, Mississauga (OHL): Tippett scored 44 goals and put up 75 points through 60 games in the OHL this season, and scouts say he already has an NHL shot. He’ll likely spend one more season in the OHL before making the jump to the NHL.
16. Calgary Flames- Klim Kostin, Center, Dynamo (KHL): A big body, a non-stop motor, and a quick release - that's what the Bruins are getting with the versatile forward. Kostin is a guy that will work hard in the dirty areas and use his size to keep possession of the puck. Once he fills out his big frame, he could be a beast in the NHL.
17. Toronto Maple Leafs- Eeli Tolvanen, Wing, Sioux City (USHL): Tolvanen is a shooter, and he’s good at it. The Leafs have several high-end forward players on their roster, and with his killer instincts, he would fit right in. He’s headed to Boston College in the fall where his development should continue apace, and it will be exciting to see if he dominates the NCAA as he did the USHL.
18. Boston Bruins- Martin Necas, Center, Brno (CZREP): An offensive-minded centre, Necas has great lateral movement and can make defenders miss in space. He has good vision of the ice and can dissect the play quickly when on the rush.
19. San Jose Sharks- Nicolas Hague, Defenseman, Mississauga (OHL): Hague is a large young man at 6-foot-6, but he combines that size with plenty of skill. He has good straight line speed, which helps him when retreating back into his own zone. He has a big point shot and he has the potential to be a big-time offensive contributor from the back-end.
20. St. Louis Blues- Kailer Yamamoto, Wing, Spokane (WHL): Yamamoto is a 5’8 player and a lock for the first round because his offensive senses and skills are so superior to so many other forwards in this class. He knows how to use his speed and awareness to evade physical opponents.
21. New York Rangers- Ryan Poehling, Center, St. Cloud (NCAA): A big, two-way center in the mold of Brandon Dubinsky or even Pierre-Luc Dubois, who the Jackets drafted third overall last year. He lacks the top-end scoring talent of Dubois, though, and would fill a more secondary role in the top nine.
22. Edmonton Oilers- Kole Lind, Center, Kelowna (WHL): Lind may have struggled to crack the Rockets lineup his rookie season, but he certainly didn’t have any trouble this year. In fact, he finished 17 points ahead of the next highest scorer on his team. He’s both a good playmaker and a goal scorer, and while he encounters a few problems defensively, they’re fixable.
23. Arizona Coyotes (via Minnesota Wild)- Henri Jokiharju, Defenseman, Portland (WHL): If Kelowna is a development factory, Portland isn’t far behind. There’s plenty to like about Jokiharju’s play at both ends of the ice — killer offensive instincts and terrific defensive positioning are two of the first to admire. He’s a bit more of a project than other defensive picks this year, but chances are good he’ll be worth it in the end.
24. Columbus Blue Jackets- Isaac Ratcliffe, Wing, Guelph (OHL): Ratcliffe, 6’6, is a force all over the ice, willing to run over anyone in his way to get to the puck. He is a humongous-big winger with offensive instincts that John Tortorella would like.
25. Montreal Canadiens- Nikita Popugaev, Wing, Moose Jaw (WHL): Popugaev is a massive winger who uses his 6’5 frame to aid his scoring ability as much as remove others from the puck. The knock on him is that he’s a one-trick pony: He waits for the puck and then drives straight to the net and shoots. Can you get him to commit to a 200-foot game and use his strength more? Montreal would like to find out.
26. Chicago Blackhawks- Joshua Norris, Center, USNTDP: Norris, a University of Michigan commit, has all the makings of a strong two-way center. He’s a solid skater, patient with the puck and tenacious away from it, willing to go into the corners to retrieve a loose puck. One of the qualities noted most often about Norris is that he’s “coachable.” And in his case, it’s legitimate and a good thing. He’s shown that he’s willing to work on his weaknesses.
27. St. Louis Blues (via Washington Capitals)- Henri Jokiharju, Defenseman, Portland (WHL): Would the Blues take a defenseman with more flash than defensive substance at this point? I’d like to see them try it out. Much like many of his first-round counterparts, Jokiharju is a puck-rush-first defender who likes to take the puck and cut into the offensive zone. Think Trevor Daley in his heyday with the Stars: A quick defenseman who may not generate points but drags the play into the offensive zone very well.
28. Ottawa Senators- Erik Brannstrom, Defenseman, HV (SHL): Another small (5’10), puck-moving defenseman, eh? And another fast riser: Brannstrom has the makings of a power-play quarterback at the NHL level. The key with any player of this type is his intelligence at both ends, and Brannstrom already demonstrates that. Ottawa adds a defenseman capable of giving their talented forwards the puck.
29. Dallas Stars (via Anaheim Ducks)- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Goalie, HPK (Finland): Luukkonen is another 6’4 goalie with good agility and starting potential. Like most Finnish netminders, he possesses a calm focus in his crease at a young age. Dallas fans will rejoice at getting a good quality netminder they can look forward to.
30. Nashville Predators- Shane Bowers, Center, Waterloo (USHL): A gritty centre, Bowers can make life hard on the opposition. He uses his body well to protect the puck and he's willing to go play in the dirty areas. Armed with a quick shot, he is quite dangerous around the net.
31. Pittsburgh Penguins- Maxime Comotis, Wing, Victoriaville (QMJHL): Comtois is the typical low-floor, low-ceiling type of player. He seems like a lock to make the NHL in one role or another, but the Pens might have to be fine with getting a bottom-six grinder with a strong two-way game here, rather than an exciting offensive contributor. Then again, Comtois has nice offensive potential as well.
1. New Jersey Devils- Nolan Patrick, Center, Brandon (WHL): He's been the guy from the very start of the draft process. But just like in year's past, another player puts together a great season and makes a charge for the top spot. Last season it was Patrik Laine who put on a great campaign to knock off Austin Matthews for the top spot and in 2015 it was Jack Eichel who put forth a valiant effort to go number one over Connor McDavid. Just like those drafts, the team in the top spot will stick with the guy who's been at the top the whole time.
2. Philadelphia Flyers- Nico Hischier, Center, Halifax (QMJHL): The Flyers are still pumped about winning a top-three selection in the draft lottery, so they don’t really care whether it’s Nolan or Nico. They get Nico, an extremely promising playmaker, and make him the highest-drafted Swiss player of all time.
3. Dallas Stars- Casey Mittelsdalt, Center, Eden (High-MN): At 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds, Mittelstadt has ideal size to go along with his elite skill. Playing for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL, the centre put up 30 points in just 24 games. He has a fantastic first step and can use his quickness to make defenders miss.
4. Colorado Avalanche- Miro Heiskanen, Defenseman, HIFK Helsinki (SM-Liiga): Heiskanen is an excellent two-way defender with top-pairing potential. Having played his entire draft year in Finland’s top professional league, Heiskanen is one of the most pro-ready prospects available.
5. Vancouver Canucks- Gabriel Vilardi, Center, Windsor (OHL): One of the OHL's top players in 2016/17, Vilardi is a big centre who has great offensive awareness and the dynamic skill to take advantage. While he is not the fastest player on the ice, he can maneuver in a phone booth and make things happen with a great passing ability.
6. Las Vegas Golden Knights- Cody Glass, Center, Portland (WHL): Having grown a couple of inches and gained some muscle in the process, Glass has been rising up draft boards around the NHL. Glass plays strong on the puck and uses his excellent speed to create space and finish with his quick release.
7. Arizona Coyotes- Cale Makar, Defenseman, Brooks (AJHL): The Coyotes are loaded with high-end offensive talent, so they go for a dynamic blueliner who can lead the offense from the backend. Makar has some question marks, but the Coyotes see his upside and simply can’t pass up on him.
8. Buffalo Sabres- Timothy Liljegren, Defenseman, Rogle (SHL): What a year it’s been for Liljegren. After being projected as the second overall pick behind Nolan Patrick, he saw his stock drop. Nevertheless, whoever lands Liljegren will be getting a top end defensive prospect.
9. Detroit Red Wings- Nick Suzuki, Center, Owen (OHL): Even if Suzuki doesn’t end up as a pivot in the NHL, he projects as an impactful, all-situations forward. A feared penalty killer for years in the OHL, Suzuki’s offensive game blossomed this season into one of the league’s top scorers. Few draft players compete as well and as hard as him.
10. Florida Panthers- Kristian Vesalainen, Wing, Frolunda (SHL): This Finnish winger fell in draft rankings after a slower year, but the offensive skills are still there. The 6’4 winger is a power forward in the making, with a strong drive to the net and a well-developing defensive game.
11. Los Angeles Kings- Elias Pettersson, Center, Kimra (SHL): A playmaking center in the truest sense of the term, Pettersson owns a nice mix of speed, vision, and passing ability that makes him an offensive threat. He also has shown some tenacity in board play and forechecking, indicating he might become a better all-around player than he seems to be now.
12. Carolina Hurricanes- Lias Andersson, Center, HV (SHL): Andersson spent this season playing against men in the SHL and he’s looking like a very solid prospect. Andersson is an incredible skater and though he’s committed to Frolunda HC for next season, if the Islanders like what they see, it’s possible that he could move to North America in order for the organization to be able to keep a close eye on him.
13. Winnipeg Jets- Juuso Valimaki, Defenseman, Tri-City (WHL): At 13, Winnipeg is happy to pick up one of Finland’s many up-and-coming prospects in two-way defenceman Juuso Valimaki. At this point, the Jets find Eeli Tolvanen almost too good to pass up on, but they decide a D-man is the higher priority with this pick.
14. Tampa Bay Lightning- Callan Foote, Defenseman, Kelowna (WHL): Following a similar storyline to last year's draft, the Flames once again take a player with a strong NHL lineage. Foote is a big, right-shot defenceman who has a powerful shot from the point. He is able to use his size and skating ability to take away time and space from opposing forwards.
15. New York Islanders- Owen Tippett, Wing, Mississauga (OHL): Tippett scored 44 goals and put up 75 points through 60 games in the OHL this season, and scouts say he already has an NHL shot. He’ll likely spend one more season in the OHL before making the jump to the NHL.
16. Calgary Flames- Klim Kostin, Center, Dynamo (KHL): A big body, a non-stop motor, and a quick release - that's what the Bruins are getting with the versatile forward. Kostin is a guy that will work hard in the dirty areas and use his size to keep possession of the puck. Once he fills out his big frame, he could be a beast in the NHL.
17. Toronto Maple Leafs- Eeli Tolvanen, Wing, Sioux City (USHL): Tolvanen is a shooter, and he’s good at it. The Leafs have several high-end forward players on their roster, and with his killer instincts, he would fit right in. He’s headed to Boston College in the fall where his development should continue apace, and it will be exciting to see if he dominates the NCAA as he did the USHL.
18. Boston Bruins- Martin Necas, Center, Brno (CZREP): An offensive-minded centre, Necas has great lateral movement and can make defenders miss in space. He has good vision of the ice and can dissect the play quickly when on the rush.
19. San Jose Sharks- Nicolas Hague, Defenseman, Mississauga (OHL): Hague is a large young man at 6-foot-6, but he combines that size with plenty of skill. He has good straight line speed, which helps him when retreating back into his own zone. He has a big point shot and he has the potential to be a big-time offensive contributor from the back-end.
20. St. Louis Blues- Kailer Yamamoto, Wing, Spokane (WHL): Yamamoto is a 5’8 player and a lock for the first round because his offensive senses and skills are so superior to so many other forwards in this class. He knows how to use his speed and awareness to evade physical opponents.
21. New York Rangers- Ryan Poehling, Center, St. Cloud (NCAA): A big, two-way center in the mold of Brandon Dubinsky or even Pierre-Luc Dubois, who the Jackets drafted third overall last year. He lacks the top-end scoring talent of Dubois, though, and would fill a more secondary role in the top nine.
22. Edmonton Oilers- Kole Lind, Center, Kelowna (WHL): Lind may have struggled to crack the Rockets lineup his rookie season, but he certainly didn’t have any trouble this year. In fact, he finished 17 points ahead of the next highest scorer on his team. He’s both a good playmaker and a goal scorer, and while he encounters a few problems defensively, they’re fixable.
23. Arizona Coyotes (via Minnesota Wild)- Henri Jokiharju, Defenseman, Portland (WHL): If Kelowna is a development factory, Portland isn’t far behind. There’s plenty to like about Jokiharju’s play at both ends of the ice — killer offensive instincts and terrific defensive positioning are two of the first to admire. He’s a bit more of a project than other defensive picks this year, but chances are good he’ll be worth it in the end.
24. Columbus Blue Jackets- Isaac Ratcliffe, Wing, Guelph (OHL): Ratcliffe, 6’6, is a force all over the ice, willing to run over anyone in his way to get to the puck. He is a humongous-big winger with offensive instincts that John Tortorella would like.
25. Montreal Canadiens- Nikita Popugaev, Wing, Moose Jaw (WHL): Popugaev is a massive winger who uses his 6’5 frame to aid his scoring ability as much as remove others from the puck. The knock on him is that he’s a one-trick pony: He waits for the puck and then drives straight to the net and shoots. Can you get him to commit to a 200-foot game and use his strength more? Montreal would like to find out.
26. Chicago Blackhawks- Joshua Norris, Center, USNTDP: Norris, a University of Michigan commit, has all the makings of a strong two-way center. He’s a solid skater, patient with the puck and tenacious away from it, willing to go into the corners to retrieve a loose puck. One of the qualities noted most often about Norris is that he’s “coachable.” And in his case, it’s legitimate and a good thing. He’s shown that he’s willing to work on his weaknesses.
27. St. Louis Blues (via Washington Capitals)- Henri Jokiharju, Defenseman, Portland (WHL): Would the Blues take a defenseman with more flash than defensive substance at this point? I’d like to see them try it out. Much like many of his first-round counterparts, Jokiharju is a puck-rush-first defender who likes to take the puck and cut into the offensive zone. Think Trevor Daley in his heyday with the Stars: A quick defenseman who may not generate points but drags the play into the offensive zone very well.
28. Ottawa Senators- Erik Brannstrom, Defenseman, HV (SHL): Another small (5’10), puck-moving defenseman, eh? And another fast riser: Brannstrom has the makings of a power-play quarterback at the NHL level. The key with any player of this type is his intelligence at both ends, and Brannstrom already demonstrates that. Ottawa adds a defenseman capable of giving their talented forwards the puck.
29. Dallas Stars (via Anaheim Ducks)- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Goalie, HPK (Finland): Luukkonen is another 6’4 goalie with good agility and starting potential. Like most Finnish netminders, he possesses a calm focus in his crease at a young age. Dallas fans will rejoice at getting a good quality netminder they can look forward to.
30. Nashville Predators- Shane Bowers, Center, Waterloo (USHL): A gritty centre, Bowers can make life hard on the opposition. He uses his body well to protect the puck and he's willing to go play in the dirty areas. Armed with a quick shot, he is quite dangerous around the net.
31. Pittsburgh Penguins- Maxime Comotis, Wing, Victoriaville (QMJHL): Comtois is the typical low-floor, low-ceiling type of player. He seems like a lock to make the NHL in one role or another, but the Pens might have to be fine with getting a bottom-six grinder with a strong two-way game here, rather than an exciting offensive contributor. Then again, Comtois has nice offensive potential as well.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
2017 NBA Mock Draft: Third Edition
Here is the third edition of my 2017 NBA Mock Draft.
1. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets)- Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington: Plain and simple, Fultz is the best player available. He could be the one to help Boston get closer to dethroning LeBron and the Cavs. He has great length, range and crazy athleticism to play either guard spot, Fultz would fit next to Isaiah Thomas just fine in the backcourt.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA: Did anyone notice Lakers president Magic Johnson didn't look too upset about not getting the No. 1 pick? That's because, I think, he now knows the pressure is off. He doesn't have to pick between Ball and Fultz. Now he can just take Ball once Fultz is off the board. And the Lakers are suddenly interesting again, if nothing else.
3. Philadelphia 76ers (via Sacramento Kings)- Jayson Tatum, Small Forward, Duke: The Sixers will flirt with any number of players, not to mention trade offers from all corners. But here's to betting that Bryan Colangelo will go with Tatum in the end. Tatum has the highest floor of anyone outside Fultz, and his skilled game could be a decent fit next to Ben Simmons. I'm not sure this would be the smartest play, but Philly is ready to start winning as soon as possible. Tatum can help that cause more than anyone else at three.
4. Phoenix Suns- Josh Jackson, Small Forward, Kansas: Jackson is too good on both ends to pass up if he slides to four. In that case, here's to betting that Phoenix stays committed to Eric Bledsoe and grabs a two-way swingman to complement Booker's offense with a new-age Iguodala who can play every game at 120 MPH. Jackson's jumper will be a work in progress, but if he finds a team that doesn't need him to carry the offense, he could be a lot of fun.
5. Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia 76ers)- De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky: The Kings are desperately in need of a young point guard with a high ceiling, and Fox is exactly that. At 6-4, he has nice size for the position and is super-fast with the ball. He was sensational in Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over UCLA while finishing with 39 points. Fox and Buddy Hield would be a nice back court.
6. Orlando Magic- Dennis Smith Jr, Point Guard, North Carolina State: The Magic haven't had a coherent identity in several years, so I'm worried about sending Smith here. If you asked, "What's the NBA version of NC State?" I'm pretty sure the answer is Orlando. Likewise, there are choices to make elsewhere on the roster that'll go a long way toward determining exactly what the Magic want from this draft. Elfrid Payton probably isn't the answer, though, and while the team transitions to new management under John Hammond and Jeff Weltman, it would make sense to grab the player with the best chance at stardom. At 6, that's Smith.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jonathan Issacs, Small Forward, Florida State: The Timberwolves could take Isaac, play him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and now we're talking about something with big potential. Minnesota would then have a core of Isaac, Towns, Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. Those are some nice pieces that could soon have the Timberwolves advancing in the Western Conference Playoffs.
8. New York Knicks- Malik Monk, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Monk will struggle on defense, and it'll probably take him another year or two before he adds enough weight to finish at the rim and score consistently in the NBA. But even with those qualifiers, he's probably one of the most underrated players in this draft. This would be a win for New York. Everyone was falling in love with De'Aaron Fox a month ago, and now Dennis Smith is getting that love, but Monk's ceiling is just as impressive. He's got unlimited range on his jumper like Jamal Murray, but he's a more explosive athlete, with better instincts as a scorer.
9. Dallas Mavericks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, France: French Frank is the biggest wild card in the top 10. He played limited minutes for his team in France and scored a meager 5 points per game. It'll likely take a few years before he's ready to produce consistently in the NBA. On the other hand, he's 6’5” with long arms and quick feet, and at the very least he projects as a terrific perimeter defender. It's worth it for the Mavs to gamble on a project player here.
10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Zach Collins, Center, Gonzaga: The reason Zach Collins continues to rise up the boards is potential. He only played one year at Gonzaga, which is a small sample size, but his 65 percent shooting from the field, including 47 percent from deep, gives you a glimpse at his potential. Collins is the prototypical “new NBA big man” and he fits the mold almost to a T, as he runs the floor incredibly well for his size, creates spacing. He will need to add strength and play more basketball, but the potential is there.
11. Charlotte Hornets- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard, Louisville: This is probably a little high for the Louisville guard, but the Hornets could use a dynamic scorer to take some of the burden. At the back end of the lottery, teams can't be worried about reaching; they just need to take the player they think works best for them.
12. Detroit Pistons- Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Arizona: Markkanen is a modern-day stretch-4 who shot 42.3 percent from 3-point range this season. This would be a steal here for the Pistons, who can use some more shooting. There is talk of Markkanen going in the top ten and possibly the top five.
13. Denver Nuggets- OJ Anubody, Small Forward, Indiana: Anunoby is a freak athlete who will likely spend the better part of the next decade harassing people on defense. He could've been a first round pick last year, too. He hurt his knee at Indiana this year so his stock is a little bit mysterious, and his offense is still a question mark. But the Nuggets don't necessarily need offense. If Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are the future, defense is the issue, and Anunoby can help quickly.
14. Miami Heat- Jarrett Allen, Center, Texas: Allen spent most of the year overshadowed by bigger freshmen stars on better teams, but Allen quietly got much better as the year unfolded at Texas. He's still raw, and he may be a year or two from playing meaningful minutes, but he will get drafted top 20 because of Myles Turner comparisons alone.
15. Portland Trail Blazers- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina: It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.
16. Chicago Bulls- John Collins, Power Forward, Wake Forest: Collins is high-ceiling frontcourt player who fills somewhat of a need. Collins was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season; if he can develop more range on his shot, he'll be a steal at this point in the draft. His development under head coach Danny Manning from his freshman to his sophomore season was impressive.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard, Australia: Ferguson, an Oklahoma native, was inconsistent while playing in Australia this season. But that shouldn't affect his standing with NBA scouts too much. He only shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range in 30 games. Not good. But that's not an accurate reflection of how well the former Arizona signee can actually shoot from beyond the arc.
18. Indiana Pacers- Harry Giles, Power Forward, Duke: Giles was the top recruit of his class, but injuries and limited play held him back in his lone season at Duke. Giles only averaged 11.5 minutes per game thanks to three knee surgies, along with only 3.9 PPG and 3.8 RPG during his lone season at Duke. The future of Paul George is always a question and if he eventually departs, the Pacers will be in full rebuild mode and Giles is a nice piece for that.
19. Atlanta Hawks- Justin Patton, Center, Creighton: There's been plenty of attention paid to this as a point guard-heavy draft. But it's also one of the deepest drafts for talented young big men that we've seen in a long time. Although he needs to put on some muscle so he can hang with NBA bigs, Patton is a superb athlete for a 7-footer, and showed impressive offensive versatility at Creighton as well. He may take some time to fill his potential, but the potential is certainly there.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies)- Ike Anigbogu, Center, UCLA: The Blazers could use of a couple of their first rounders to take players who are years away and need developing. Anigbogu is perhaps the most unproven prospect that has first round potential. His stock’s been on the rise for a few weeks now, and I get a feeling some time will jump on him earlier then he should be taken. He only played 13 MPG as he battled injuries at UCLA, but he’s 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, and his potential is enticing. Anigbogu would have to develop behind Jusuf Nurkic and whatever bigs the Blazers decide to move forward with from that jumbled mess of players.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Luke Kennard, Shooting Guard, Duke: Oklahoma City shot a league-low 32.7 percent from 3-point range this season, which is obviously something Kennard could help improve. The 6-6 guard was among college basketball's biggest breakout stars this season while averaging 19.5 points and shooting 43.8 percent from 3-point range for Duke. Russell Westbrook's ability to draw defenders would lead to open looks for Kennard. And the numbers suggest open looks for Kennard tend to lead to easy points.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards)- Ronions Kurucs, Shooting Guard, Barcelona: Kurucs has two years remaining on his deal with Barcelona, so the Nets might not see the benefit of his services for a while, but who cares? It's not like Brooklyn was planning on trying to make the playoffs any time soon, right?
23. Toronto Raptors- Anzejs Pasecniks, Center, Latvia: The Raptors have a ton of questions to answer this summer—beginning with Lowry and Serge Ibaka in free agency, and continuing with Jonas Valanciunas's future. As things get crowded and expensive, a potential draft-and-stash option may be more attractive in this spot. Pasecniks is mobile with good touch on his jumper and he'd be a decent investment in the future, particularly if Valanciunas isn't sticking around long-term.
24. Utah Jazz- Semi Ojeleye, Small Forward, SMU: Ojeleye started his college career at Duke, where he was just a bit player. But the 6-7 forward was tremendous at SMU this season. He averaged 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the Mustangs to American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors via Los Angeles Clippers)- TJ Leaf, Power Forward, UCLA: Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range this season. He was overshadowed by his teammates at UCLA but still a statistical monster. He's a perfect stretch-4 for the modern-day NBA.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)- Tyler Lydon, Small Forward, Syracuse: Lydon shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at Syracuse and averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He'll be a stretch-4 in the NBA and should be capable of cracking a rotation as a rookie thanks to that reliable jumper.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston Celtics)- Jawun Evans, Point Guard, Oklahoma State: Evans is undersized at 5'11, but he's quick and creative, and he was a nightmare in the pick-and-roll at Oklahoma State. Those skills translate in the NBA. At worst, he'd be a fun spark off the bench. At best, his shooting improves—37% from three last year—and catches up with his ability to create off the dribble, and he becomes a real steal late in the first.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Jordan Bell, Power Forward, Oregon: Bell has all the physical tools and energy to play in the NBA, even though he’s a bit undersized. He runs the floor nicely and has a great knack for the game. He’s a little undersized for his position at this level, but with his energy and ability to grab rebounds he could be a nice bench player for the Lakers. Every NBA team needs an energy guy with a high motor, and if Bell is that guy and for the Lakers it would be worth the gamble at No. 28.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Isaiah Hartenstein, Power Forward, Lithuania: Hartenstein, an Oregon native, was reportedly just OK at the Nike Hoop Summit and thus didn't do much to enhance his reputation with NBA scouts. Still, it's hard to imagine him not going somewhere in the first round. And San Antonio's history with international prospects suggests he would fit nicely in that organization.
30. Golden State Warriors- Derrick White, Shooting Guard, Colorado: White has a complete skill set for a guard. He can score, facilitate, and hold his own defensively. Just ask Arizona: White hung 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists on the Wildcats in the Pac-12 tournament.
1. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets)- Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington: Plain and simple, Fultz is the best player available. He could be the one to help Boston get closer to dethroning LeBron and the Cavs. He has great length, range and crazy athleticism to play either guard spot, Fultz would fit next to Isaiah Thomas just fine in the backcourt.
2. Los Angeles Lakers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA: Did anyone notice Lakers president Magic Johnson didn't look too upset about not getting the No. 1 pick? That's because, I think, he now knows the pressure is off. He doesn't have to pick between Ball and Fultz. Now he can just take Ball once Fultz is off the board. And the Lakers are suddenly interesting again, if nothing else.
3. Philadelphia 76ers (via Sacramento Kings)- Jayson Tatum, Small Forward, Duke: The Sixers will flirt with any number of players, not to mention trade offers from all corners. But here's to betting that Bryan Colangelo will go with Tatum in the end. Tatum has the highest floor of anyone outside Fultz, and his skilled game could be a decent fit next to Ben Simmons. I'm not sure this would be the smartest play, but Philly is ready to start winning as soon as possible. Tatum can help that cause more than anyone else at three.
4. Phoenix Suns- Josh Jackson, Small Forward, Kansas: Jackson is too good on both ends to pass up if he slides to four. In that case, here's to betting that Phoenix stays committed to Eric Bledsoe and grabs a two-way swingman to complement Booker's offense with a new-age Iguodala who can play every game at 120 MPH. Jackson's jumper will be a work in progress, but if he finds a team that doesn't need him to carry the offense, he could be a lot of fun.
5. Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia 76ers)- De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky: The Kings are desperately in need of a young point guard with a high ceiling, and Fox is exactly that. At 6-4, he has nice size for the position and is super-fast with the ball. He was sensational in Kentucky's Sweet 16 win over UCLA while finishing with 39 points. Fox and Buddy Hield would be a nice back court.
6. Orlando Magic- Dennis Smith Jr, Point Guard, North Carolina State: The Magic haven't had a coherent identity in several years, so I'm worried about sending Smith here. If you asked, "What's the NBA version of NC State?" I'm pretty sure the answer is Orlando. Likewise, there are choices to make elsewhere on the roster that'll go a long way toward determining exactly what the Magic want from this draft. Elfrid Payton probably isn't the answer, though, and while the team transitions to new management under John Hammond and Jeff Weltman, it would make sense to grab the player with the best chance at stardom. At 6, that's Smith.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jonathan Issacs, Small Forward, Florida State: The Timberwolves could take Isaac, play him with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and now we're talking about something with big potential. Minnesota would then have a core of Isaac, Towns, Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio. Those are some nice pieces that could soon have the Timberwolves advancing in the Western Conference Playoffs.
8. New York Knicks- Malik Monk, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, Kentucky: Monk will struggle on defense, and it'll probably take him another year or two before he adds enough weight to finish at the rim and score consistently in the NBA. But even with those qualifiers, he's probably one of the most underrated players in this draft. This would be a win for New York. Everyone was falling in love with De'Aaron Fox a month ago, and now Dennis Smith is getting that love, but Monk's ceiling is just as impressive. He's got unlimited range on his jumper like Jamal Murray, but he's a more explosive athlete, with better instincts as a scorer.
9. Dallas Mavericks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, France: French Frank is the biggest wild card in the top 10. He played limited minutes for his team in France and scored a meager 5 points per game. It'll likely take a few years before he's ready to produce consistently in the NBA. On the other hand, he's 6’5” with long arms and quick feet, and at the very least he projects as a terrific perimeter defender. It's worth it for the Mavs to gamble on a project player here.
10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans Pelicans)- Zach Collins, Center, Gonzaga: The reason Zach Collins continues to rise up the boards is potential. He only played one year at Gonzaga, which is a small sample size, but his 65 percent shooting from the field, including 47 percent from deep, gives you a glimpse at his potential. Collins is the prototypical “new NBA big man” and he fits the mold almost to a T, as he runs the floor incredibly well for his size, creates spacing. He will need to add strength and play more basketball, but the potential is there.
11. Charlotte Hornets- Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard, Louisville: This is probably a little high for the Louisville guard, but the Hornets could use a dynamic scorer to take some of the burden. At the back end of the lottery, teams can't be worried about reaching; they just need to take the player they think works best for them.
12. Detroit Pistons- Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Arizona: Markkanen is a modern-day stretch-4 who shot 42.3 percent from 3-point range this season. This would be a steal here for the Pistons, who can use some more shooting. There is talk of Markkanen going in the top ten and possibly the top five.
13. Denver Nuggets- OJ Anubody, Small Forward, Indiana: Anunoby is a freak athlete who will likely spend the better part of the next decade harassing people on defense. He could've been a first round pick last year, too. He hurt his knee at Indiana this year so his stock is a little bit mysterious, and his offense is still a question mark. But the Nuggets don't necessarily need offense. If Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are the future, defense is the issue, and Anunoby can help quickly.
14. Miami Heat- Jarrett Allen, Center, Texas: Allen spent most of the year overshadowed by bigger freshmen stars on better teams, but Allen quietly got much better as the year unfolded at Texas. He's still raw, and he may be a year or two from playing meaningful minutes, but he will get drafted top 20 because of Myles Turner comparisons alone.
15. Portland Trail Blazers- Justin Jackson, Small Forward, North Carolina: It’s hard to hate on Jackson too much after what he did in his junior year at UNC. He finally blossomed as a three-point shooter (105 makes at 37 percent) and shut down Malik Monk on defense in the Elite Eight. He’s also by far the oldest potential lottery pick this year and isn’t that athletic or that great of a shooter. I like him more if he can defend shooting guards rather than small forwards.
16. Chicago Bulls- John Collins, Power Forward, Wake Forest: Collins is high-ceiling frontcourt player who fills somewhat of a need. Collins was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball last season; if he can develop more range on his shot, he'll be a steal at this point in the draft. His development under head coach Danny Manning from his freshman to his sophomore season was impressive.
17. Milwaukee Bucks- Terrance Ferguson, Shooting Guard, Australia: Ferguson, an Oklahoma native, was inconsistent while playing in Australia this season. But that shouldn't affect his standing with NBA scouts too much. He only shot 31.3 percent from 3-point range in 30 games. Not good. But that's not an accurate reflection of how well the former Arizona signee can actually shoot from beyond the arc.
18. Indiana Pacers- Harry Giles, Power Forward, Duke: Giles was the top recruit of his class, but injuries and limited play held him back in his lone season at Duke. Giles only averaged 11.5 minutes per game thanks to three knee surgies, along with only 3.9 PPG and 3.8 RPG during his lone season at Duke. The future of Paul George is always a question and if he eventually departs, the Pacers will be in full rebuild mode and Giles is a nice piece for that.
19. Atlanta Hawks- Justin Patton, Center, Creighton: There's been plenty of attention paid to this as a point guard-heavy draft. But it's also one of the deepest drafts for talented young big men that we've seen in a long time. Although he needs to put on some muscle so he can hang with NBA bigs, Patton is a superb athlete for a 7-footer, and showed impressive offensive versatility at Creighton as well. He may take some time to fill his potential, but the potential is certainly there.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies)- Ike Anigbogu, Center, UCLA: The Blazers could use of a couple of their first rounders to take players who are years away and need developing. Anigbogu is perhaps the most unproven prospect that has first round potential. His stock’s been on the rise for a few weeks now, and I get a feeling some time will jump on him earlier then he should be taken. He only played 13 MPG as he battled injuries at UCLA, but he’s 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, and his potential is enticing. Anigbogu would have to develop behind Jusuf Nurkic and whatever bigs the Blazers decide to move forward with from that jumbled mess of players.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder- Luke Kennard, Shooting Guard, Duke: Oklahoma City shot a league-low 32.7 percent from 3-point range this season, which is obviously something Kennard could help improve. The 6-6 guard was among college basketball's biggest breakout stars this season while averaging 19.5 points and shooting 43.8 percent from 3-point range for Duke. Russell Westbrook's ability to draw defenders would lead to open looks for Kennard. And the numbers suggest open looks for Kennard tend to lead to easy points.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via Washington Wizards)- Ronions Kurucs, Shooting Guard, Barcelona: Kurucs has two years remaining on his deal with Barcelona, so the Nets might not see the benefit of his services for a while, but who cares? It's not like Brooklyn was planning on trying to make the playoffs any time soon, right?
23. Toronto Raptors- Anzejs Pasecniks, Center, Latvia: The Raptors have a ton of questions to answer this summer—beginning with Lowry and Serge Ibaka in free agency, and continuing with Jonas Valanciunas's future. As things get crowded and expensive, a potential draft-and-stash option may be more attractive in this spot. Pasecniks is mobile with good touch on his jumper and he'd be a decent investment in the future, particularly if Valanciunas isn't sticking around long-term.
24. Utah Jazz- Semi Ojeleye, Small Forward, SMU: Ojeleye started his college career at Duke, where he was just a bit player. But the 6-7 forward was tremendous at SMU this season. He averaged 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds while leading the Mustangs to American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
25. Orlando Magic (via Toronto Raptors via Los Angeles Clippers)- TJ Leaf, Power Forward, UCLA: Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent from 3-point range this season. He was overshadowed by his teammates at UCLA but still a statistical monster. He's a perfect stretch-4 for the modern-day NBA.
26. Portland Trail Blazers (via Cleveland Cavaliers)- Tyler Lydon, Small Forward, Syracuse: Lydon shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at Syracuse and averaged 13.2 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. He'll be a stretch-4 in the NBA and should be capable of cracking a rotation as a rookie thanks to that reliable jumper.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via Boston Celtics)- Jawun Evans, Point Guard, Oklahoma State: Evans is undersized at 5'11, but he's quick and creative, and he was a nightmare in the pick-and-roll at Oklahoma State. Those skills translate in the NBA. At worst, he'd be a fun spark off the bench. At best, his shooting improves—37% from three last year—and catches up with his ability to create off the dribble, and he becomes a real steal late in the first.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (via Houston Rockets)- Jordan Bell, Power Forward, Oregon: Bell has all the physical tools and energy to play in the NBA, even though he’s a bit undersized. He runs the floor nicely and has a great knack for the game. He’s a little undersized for his position at this level, but with his energy and ability to grab rebounds he could be a nice bench player for the Lakers. Every NBA team needs an energy guy with a high motor, and if Bell is that guy and for the Lakers it would be worth the gamble at No. 28.
29. San Antonio Spurs- Isaiah Hartenstein, Power Forward, Lithuania: Hartenstein, an Oregon native, was reportedly just OK at the Nike Hoop Summit and thus didn't do much to enhance his reputation with NBA scouts. Still, it's hard to imagine him not going somewhere in the first round. And San Antonio's history with international prospects suggests he would fit nicely in that organization.
30. Golden State Warriors- Derrick White, Shooting Guard, Colorado: White has a complete skill set for a guard. He can score, facilitate, and hold his own defensively. Just ask Arizona: White hung 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists on the Wildcats in the Pac-12 tournament.
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