2017 NBA Mock Draft: Special Draft-Day Edition!
After months and months and months of 2017 NBA Mock Drafts – dating back a year! – here is our final one. For our final effort, Jason McIntyre and Ryan Phillips go head-to-head with who they think will be selected at each spot in the first-round of the 2017 NBA Draft.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
McIntyre: Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
If Fultz, Simmons and Embiid can take this team to the playoffs next year, they become a darkhorse for LeBron James.
Phillips: Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington
The best player in the draft by a long shot. The Sixers made a brilliant move to get into this position and they’re taking a future star
2. Los Angeles Lakers
McIntyre: Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
He’ll make Brandon Ingram an 18 ppg player next year.
Phillips: Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
With D'Angelo Russell gone, this move makes even more sense. The Lakers get a hometown kid who desperately wants to be there. Lonzo Ball also fits Luke Walton’s system perfectly and makes everyone around him better.
3. Boston Celtics
McIntyre: Jayson Tatum, F, Duke
Duke needed him in the post, so that’s what he did, but there’s some Grant Hill in him. Add Gordon Hayward and Jimmy Butler, and they’re the favorites in the East. Add just Hayward and I’d need to think about it.
Phillips: Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
Jayson Tatum is the most NBA-ready player in the draft. While his ceiling isn’t close to as high as the guys selected around him, his floor might be the highest. The Celtics want to win now. He will help more than anyone else still on the board.
4. Phoenix Suns
McIntyre: Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
I feel like a De'Aaron Fox curveball is coming, but then they’d have to trade Eric Bledsoe and I’m not sure the GM/coach can sell another “give us 3 years” to the owner.
Phillips: Josh Jackson, F, Kansas
Josh Jackson joins one of the NBA’s most exciting young teams and makes them a League Pass must-watch. His ceiling is as high as anyone in the draft.
5. Sacramento Kings
McIntyre: De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
I feel bad that he’s got to go here, because he’s such a talented player, and nobody succeeds in Sacramento. Certainly a contender for worst front office in the NBA.
Phillips: De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
The Kings desperately need someone to run the point and take control of a dysfunctional roster. While Fox isn’t as polished as some, his defensive ability, length and athleticism give him a tantalizing set of tools.
6. Orlando Magic
McIntyre: Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State
Are his agents not sharing medical records with the Magic because they don’t want him there? Last week I thought Isaac was rising; now, I wouldn’t be surprised by a tumble.
Phillips: Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State
Jonathan Isaac is another high-ceiling project and in a shallower class he might be in the mix at No. 1. He’s a value here for a Magic team in need of length and athleticism.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
McIntyre: Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
If this team with a lot of really good players doesn’t make the playoffs…
Phillips: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
Minnesota needs help at forward and the wing. Lauri Markkanen would give them a pure stretch-four to work with Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt.
8. New York Knicks
McIntyre: Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville
Feels like Phil Jackson is cooking up crazy at #8. The guy’s entertaining trades for Kristaps Porzingis, why not Mitchell at 8?
Phillips: Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
The Knicks need new blood at point guard and Frank Ntilikina has the size and skill Phil Jackson loves at the position. He’s inexperienced at just 18 years old but he’s a pure-point who already looks the part on the court.
9. Dallas Mavericks
McIntyre: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
Is Mark Cuban trying to move up to 7 to make sure he gets the next Dirk?
Phillips: Dennis Smith, PG, NC State
Point guard is the team’s top need and the secret is out: Dennis Smith could be a great one.
10. Sacramento Kings
McIntyre: Justin Jackson, SG, UNC
I really like Luke Kennard here – yes, I think he’ll be better than Buddy Hield – but the front office loves the former Oklahoma star. Jackson could start here by Christmas.
Phillips: Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga
The Kings got their point guard of the future at No. 5, now they get a high-upside stretch four with great length in Zach Collins.
11. Charlotte Hornets
McIntyre: Luke Kennard, SG, Duke
I could see him sneaking a few spots higher, as he’s been extremely impressive in the last couple weeks.
Phillips: Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville
Donovan Mitchell is an undersized shooting guard, but his athleticism makes up for his lack of height. He and Kemba Walker would form a fantastic backcourt.
12. Detroit Pistons
McIntyre: Dennis Smith, PG, NC State
Yes, Reggie Jackson is on the books for three more years at $51 million, but this team will have the option to play both guards, as they’re likely losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency.
Phillips: Luke Kennard, SG, Duke
The Pistons badly need a shooter, and they get the best the draft has to offer here in Luke Kennard.
13. Denver Nuggets
McIntyre: Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
They can stash him overseas for a year or two while they figure out if Jamal Murray can play point, and if Emmanuel Mudiay is done. Jameer Nelson is 35.
Phillips: OG Anunoby, SF, Indiana
When he’s finally healthy, OG Anunoby has the upside of a game-changing 3-and-D man who can guard four positions. That’s worth waiting for.
14. Miami Heat
McIntyre: Zach Collins, C, Gonzaga
Like the upside, and he’s great insurance for Whiteside.
Phillips: Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
This is a steal for Pat Riley and company. Malik Monk could have been a top five pick, but he’s fallen a bit during the draft process. While size is a concern, he’s a volume scorer who should help immediately.
15. Portland Trail Blazers
McIntyre: John Collins, PF, Wake Forest
Think there’s a 40% chance the Blazers deal two of their first round picks for something in the future. They’ve got no room for three rookies, but they will next year after a couple bad contracts expire.
Phillips: Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA
With three first-round picks, the Blazers can afford to take a gamble here. No one had a better body at the combine than Ike Anigbogu. He’s raw but the upside is ridiculous.