Polished NBA Mock Draft 2017

With the NBA Draft beginning in only a few weeks, draft analysts are scrambling around to try and put together the best matches possible for each team within the selection process.

Here is my finalized Mock Draft (Top 10 selections):

1. Boston- Markelle Fultz PG Washington- The most inevitable pick in this draft, the freshman phenom is certain for heading cross country to join Brad Stevens and company. A really unique point guard that has “All-Star” written on his forehead, this pick will give the C’s a strong point guard to play alongside Isaiah Thomas and balance well with Terry Rozier and give opponents headaches of dealing with multi dimensional guards.
2. Los Angeles- Josh Jackson SG/SF Kansas- Personally this makes more sense than the talented UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball. The freshman wing man has elite level abilities to get over the rim and playing alongside small forward Brandon Ingram (2016 draft pick) , Josh Jackson is a better suited Laker. With aging vets at the small forward position and trade rumors with some young players, there are too many talented point guards on this roster to go ahead and swipe Ball from UCLA. Jackson would be a great commodity to this young core while immediately helping on both ends of the floor.
3. Philadelphia- Lonzo Ball PG UCLA- Tune out the nonsense of Lonzo’s father LaVar Ball, Philadelphia gets a player who is on the elite stage of passing while possessing great height for today’s point guard (6’6). Even though Lonzo is considered a “west coast guy” who wants to flourish under a familiar offense, I see a bright future with Ball in Philadelphia handling the 1 spot. With this pick, you also get a media attention seeking father that will consistently get his name out to the public. Philadelphia is a team that needs a steady point guard, and Ball can bring his basketball IQ to the city of brotherly love.
4. Phoenix- De’Aaron Fox PG Kentucky– Blazing speed on the court, the Kentucky point guard could be on his way to Arizona. With two star point guards (Knight and Bledsoe) of the Suns facing uncertainty for the future, going with the Kentucky pipeline with Fox can make only positive reactions. High motor player who will work as hard as any player out there while being a bullet on the court, could Fox be the Suns answer at the 1 position?
5. Sacramento- Jayson Tatum SF Duke- The absence of All-Star power forward DeMarcus Cousins leaves a huge hole for Sacramento to dig back up. Getting into this draft with two top ten selections and then a pick in the 2nd round, the rebuilding continues. Selecting the versatile stretch wing gives the Kings a scorer from all angles. Learning from All-Star small forward Rudy Gay also helps if he sticks around for another season wearing purple.
6. Orlando- Lauri Markkanen PF/C Arizona- Shooting is a big issue with the Orlando Magic, nearly at the bottom of the charts for most categories, according to NBA.com/stats, and a big man who can solidify rebounds while bringing efficiency to this Magic club could very well be the freshman big man from Arizona. Vucevic, Biyombo and Gordon could use a worthy big man to come off the bench, or in the future be the starter, and give an offensive spark. Markkanen is a long-term project to work with, but the upside is huge if the Magic pull the trigger.
7. Minnesota- Malik Monk SG Kentucky- Another Kentucky Wildcat ending up in Minnesota… shocking I know. Monk is a great pure shooter, giving the T-Wolves a legit threat behind the arc. Nice snag here for Minnesota.
8. New York- Dennis Smith Jr. PG NC State- Point guard is a looming question with the dysfunctional Knicks, but scoring in the draft with a bunny hopper 6’2 point guard with ridiculous handles isn’t a bad day to be a Knicks fan. The future could lie with the young point guard from the Wolfpack.
9. Dallas- John Collins PF Wake Forest- The breakout player from one of the toughest conferences around, sophomore John Collins emerged as a true forward and developed into a very intriguing prospect. A very conscientious player, Collins is conservative and an efficient big man. In the place for Dallas, you can never have enough big guys to compete.
10. Sacramento- Jarrett Allen C Texas- A big man that thrives off the boards, Allen should round off the top ten selections and wind up in a place where he can thrive with small forward Jayson Tatum and help the Kings climb the ladder.