2017 NBA Draft: First Round Mock 1.0

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Sacramento Kings (via New Orleans)- Jonathan Isaac-F- Florida State

I mentioned the Kings needs at pick eight, and I have them filling the first one with that selection.  That means they are going to be in the market for a wing player with high upside.  The DeMarcus Cousins’ trade shifted the Kings into rebuild mode, and I expect the Kings to plug the remaining gap with this selection.

Why Jonathan Isaac?

Isaac is the small forward that completes the starting five of Buddy Hield, Skal Labissiere, Willie Cauley-Stein and Fox.  Isaac is another player who is relatively raw but has the upside to be a force on both ends of the floor.

His defensive potential is intriguing to Sacramento.  As my colleague, Michael Dugger wrote about recently the Kings need to improve their defense to make a quick turnaround.   Isaac could blossom into a defensive stopper and Sacramento is in desperate need of that.  He is still unpolished, but Coach Joerger grew up coaching a defense first team in Memphis and should be able to get the best out of Issac in this area.

I think you could make a case of Jonathan Isaac to be selected higher than tenth overall, so Kings fans should be ecstatic if they land both Fox and Issac come June 22.

*New Orleans has a 1.1% chance of having the number one overall selection

**New Orleans keeps the pick if it falls inside the top three overall