The Grueling Truth’s 2017 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

NBA Mock Draft 1.0

1. Celtics – Markelle Fultz, Point Guard (Washington)

He is simply the best player in the loaded draft class and the Celtics won’t pass up on this talent.

2. Lakers – Lonzo Ball, Point Guard (UCLA)

The Lakers need any talent they can get their hands on. Ball is the best available player after Fultz is off the board.

3. 76ers –  Josh Jackson, Shooting Guard/ Small Forward (Kansas)

I am excited to see Jackson with the Simmons/Embiid duo. Jackson can shoot and would be a great fit across the board.

4. Suns – De’Aaron Fox, Point Guard (Kentucky)

Fox displayed his talents in the NCAA tournament, and pairing him with Devin Booker makes a ton of sense. I think the Suns would like one of the top 3 guys listed previously, but since the Kings/Sixers won the lottery, the Suns were on the wrong end of it all.

5. Kings – Jonathan Isaac, Small/Power Forward (Florida State)

This is one of the most intriguing players in the Draft. He might be my favorite prospect after the Top 3 picks and I like his fit with the Kings.

6. Magic – Jayson Tatum, Small Forward (Duke)

Crazy to think Tatum could fall this low, but I do believe it’s possible. Remember Winslow in 2015? I think Tatum will be a great fit with Aaron Gordon.

7. Timberwolves – Malik Monk, Shooting Guard (Kentucky)

The Wolves could use another scorer and Monk could fit into this role. Whether it be in a 6th man role, or starting with Dunn and Wiggins, Monk simply knows how to put the ball in the basket.

8. Knicks – Zach Collins, Center (Gonzaga)  

The Knicks still want to run the triangle, well, Phil does. Collins really seems like the perfect fit to go with Kristaps Porzingis.

9. Mavericks – Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward (Arizona)

Markkanen has all the physical tools you want in a player. With Dirk aging, this would allow Dirk to mentor Markkanen for the future. A future front court of Barnes, Markkanen and Noel seems like a solid core.

10. Kings – Dennis Smith, Point Guard (North Carolina State)

The Kings already have a scoring 2-guard in Buddy Hield, so adding a point guard who is explosive and can make plays will benefit the Kings.  

11. Hornets – Jarrett Allen, Center (Texas)

Cody Zeller really hasn’t produced at a high enough rate to feel satisfied with him as your starting center. I still like Zeller off the bench, but the more talented Allen makes the Hornets roster better.

12. Pistons – Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard (France)

The Pistons need to upgrade in a few areas, but they clearly want a new direction with their point guard. Ntilikina is unproven, but he seems to have the physical tools you want in a point guard.

13. Nuggets – Justin Jackson, Small Forward (North Carolina)

Jackson had success with UNC, and pending Galinari’s free agency, Jackson could help fill that hole in the Nuggets depth chart.

14. Heat – Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard (Louisville)

We saw what the Heat did to Waiters career, and I think they are set at point guard and center.  Mitchell’s 6’10” wingspan might be too enticing to pass on here.

15. Blazers – OG Anunoby, Small/Power Forward (Indiana)

The Blazers need a guy who can defend. Anunoby has a lot to prove, even though he showed flashes of excellence in college. The Hoosiers missed OG’s presence in the Big Ten regular season.

16. Bulls – John Collins, Power Forward (Wake Forrest)

Collins is another prospect I can see going as early as 10. Collins can stretch the floor and also play in the paint. The Bulls need a power forward for the future and I think Collins could be that.

17. Bucks – Ike Anigbogu, Center (UCLA)

The Bucks have made it known they like long, athletic big men. Anigbogu is the kind of guy the Bucks could use off the bench. If he doesn’t develop this year, he can use this time as a learning experience sitting behind Maker and Monroe.

18. Pacers – Bam Adebayo, Center (Kentucky)

The Pacers need more help on the board and rim protection. Al Jefferson is not the guy Indiana hoped he would be, and since losing Mahinmi last year in free agency, the Pacers need an active guy who attacks the glass.

19. Hawks – Ivan Rabb, Power Forward (Cal)

The Hawks have a lot of forwards who will test the free agency market, so adding a guy with a high ceiling would be smart.

20. Blazers – TJ Leaf, Power Forward (UCLA)

The Blazers would thoroughly enjoy a power forward who can really stretch the floor. Leaf will probably get compared to Ryan Anderson a lot. He is a much better leaper than Anderson though, making him more diverse.

21. Thunder – Luke Kennard, Shooting Guard/Small Forward (Duke)

One thing Westbrook needs is scoring and Kennard is arguably the best shooter in the Draft. I think Westbrook could benefit from drafting a guy who can really shoot the ball.

22. Nets – Isaiah Hartenstein, Power Forward/Center (Zalgiris)

This guy has a ton of offensive tools. He has a soft shooting touch, passes willingly, sees the floor well, and has a nose for the basketball. Pair him next to Lopez and you have a very fun front court duo.

23. Raptors – Tyler Lydon, Small/Power Forward (Syracuse)

The Raptors need help at small forward with Carroll failing to become what the Raps wanted him to be. PJ Tucker, who the Raptors acquired in a mid-season trade, is an unrestricted free agent. Lydon seems like the perfect Casey guy with his ability to shoot, defend, and his athleticism.

24. Jazz – Rodions Kurucs, Small Forward (Barcelona 2)

Kurucs is deceptively athletic/quick with the ability to spread the floor. If Ingles walks away, Kurucs could fill that void in a marginal way.

25. Magic – Jawun Evans, Point Guard (Oklahoma State)

The Magic need help at point guard. Whether Payton is in the future plans or not, the Magic need a backup to him. Evans is a crafty scorer who’s pesky on defense. This seems like a perfect match for a Frank Vogel point guard.

26. Blazers – Justin Patton, Center (Creighton)

Meyers Leonard hasn’t been all that productive for the Blazers and with the trade for Nurkic, the Blazers need to add depth. I like Patton’s ability to be a rim runner and with his unofficial 9’3” reach, the Blazers could use a talent like Patton to upgrade their failed attempts of Ezeli and Leonard.

27. Nets – Jordan Bell, Power Forward (Oregon)

Bell showed us how high his ceiling is in the NCAA Tournament. Bell can rebound on both ends of the floor and used his athleticism to expand his offensive game. The Nets just need to draft players who can make an impact and I think Bell can.

28. Lakers – DJ Wilson, Power Forward (Michigan)

Wilson is athletic, can shoot the three, has the ability to block shots, and can guard positions 1-4, maybe 1-5. He has the ability to make plays that you wouldn’t expect him to make. I am a huge fan of Wilson’s upside and expect him to be a difference maker.

29. Spurs – Semi Ojeleye, Small/Power Forward (Southern Methodist)

This feels like a complete Spurs pick. Ojeleye is 22-years old. He was a Duke transfer and took his team into the NCAA Tournament, where they were unfortunately bounced in the 1st round. Ojeleye is as strong as an ox and explodes in space. He could be the Spurs’ future Draymond Green.

30. Jazz – Jonathan Jeanne, Center (Nancy)

Jeanne is a potential pick. The Jazz may want to stash the Center from Nancy while they can, but if the time is right for Jeanne to make the leap to the NBA, he would be a solid backup to Rudy Gobert. He needs to improve his overall game, such as strength, fundamentals, and his offensive game. His upside is huge, it will just be a matter of a time until he gets to that point.