Previewing the 2017 NBA Draft prospects
As College Basketball has concluded, it is time think about what players are ready for the NBA right now, and where the top prospects will end up starting their NBA careers.
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The Nets have officially clinched the worst record in the league, but their pick will go to the Celtics again this year, which will benefit the Celtics a lot again. I project them to get the number one overall pick in the 2017 draft, and to many people’s surprise, I expect them to draft Josh Jackson out of Kansas. Many people will be surprised by this, but I can sense a trade coming for the Celtics this season because they will not be able to afford to keep Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, and Isaiah Thomas. I believe the odd man out is Avery Bradley, who plays shooting guard, and I think Jackson is capable of playing the 2-4 spot, which will serve the Celtics well when they lose Bradley this offseason.
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I expect the Los Angeles Lakers to get the number two pick again this year, and I believe that is it destined to be that the Los Angeles Lakers will take Lonzo Ball from UCLA. It will be a match made in heaven for the entire Ball family, and I think it will be an absolute great move for the Lakers, or an absolute flop with no in-between. I expect the Lakers to move D'Angelo Russell to shooting guard primarily, and Lonzo Ball to serve as the team's primary point guard with Russell and Jordan Clarkson also sharing some minutes at the point. The Lakers have been inconsistent this season, and adding Lonzo Ball will help the Lakers spread the ball around, and also knock down the three ball.
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The Phoenix Suns will have the third overall pick, and I expect them to take Markelle Fultz out of Washington. Fultz is the number one overall prospect according to many experts, but I see him falling to third based on the needs of the Celtics and Lakers. Fultz did not help Washington win very many games, but he was a standout star and put up some great numbers. I think Markelle Fultz has the athletic ability to be the next Russell Westbrook type player, but he will take some time to develop the assassin mentality Westbrook plays with. I think the Suns can be one of the most dangerous teams in the coming years, and having the backcourt of Fultz and Booker will be extremely tough for opposing teams to deal with in a few seasons.
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The Orlando Magic I anticipate will land the number four overall pick, and I expect them to take Jayson Tatum out of Duke. Tatum was the best isolation player in the country last year, and he can provide immediate scoring for the Magic next year who rank 27th in points per game this season. This will allow the Magic to not have to rely on the streakiness of Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon as scorers as much next year in order to win games, but rather they can rely on Tatum to get some buckets for them.
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The 76ers will be on the clock at number five, and the Sixers should be looking to go with a guard here. I think after the great NCAA Tournament De’Aaron Fox had, the 76ers will go with him at number five overall. Fox’s game is a lot like Elfrid Payton’s in that he has an inconsistent shot from 3, but he can knock down a few and get everyone involved. The 76ers need someone who is more of scoring threat than T.J.McConnell, and Fox is a capable scorer from mid-range, and can also get streaky hot sometimes from 3 which he showcased in the NCAA tournament. Fox is a great fit for Philly, and it will allow Ben Simmons to play 3 and 4 which he should be playing instead of point guard like the 76ers expressed interest in trying out next season.
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Lastly, sixth on the clock I expect to be the New York Knicks. The Knicks have made some surprising picks in the past few years, and I expect the Knicks to make another one in 2017. Dennis Smith Jr. to the New York Knicks makes a lot of sense especially since it looks like the Knicks will be moving on from former MVP Derrick Rose, who recently tore his meniscus again. Dennis Smith Jr. may not crack the top 10 for many experts, but I think he suits exactly what the Knicks would want in a point guard for the future. He proved he has a lot of game at North Carolina State, and I think the Knicks taking him is the best move at pick six.
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The NBA Draft is full of talent once again this year, and these players make the most sense for the bottom six teams in the NBA. It will be interesting to see how the draft will pan out and affect these team’s futures.