With the NBA Draft fast approaching, we take a look at each of the lottery teams and produce a mock draft for the player that best fits their roster.
With the NBA Draft forthcoming on June 22nd, I decided to put together a Fit Mock Draft for all the lottery teams. This list is not what I think is going to happen or will happen, but merely what I feel is the best roster fit for each team in the lottery. Despite trade rumors circulating, I made this article with the intent all teams stay locked into their current spot. Check back on Draft Day for my 1st Round Mock Draft.
1) Boston Celtics: Markelle Fultz, Point Guard, Washington, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 35.7 MIN/23.2 PTS/53.5 eFG%/41.3 3PT%/5.9 AST/5.7 REB/1.6 STL/1.2 BLK
Measurements from USA Basketball 2016: 6’3 ½” height with shoes/185 lbs./6’9 ¾” wingspan/8’5 ½ standing reach
For all the talk about packaging the picks, they received from Brooklyn to acquire Jimmy Butler or Paul George, Boston smartly held onto their assets. By standing pat, the Celtics have a unique opportunity to contend immediately while simultaneously building for the future. With no elite shot blocker or rebounder near the top of draft boards, the obvious choice is selecting Markelle Fultz.
Washington’s Fultz is the top prospect in the draft with his all-around game highlighted by his ability to score from all three levels. He is NBA-ready and can run an offense or play off the ball as a spot-up shooter, something he’ll do a great deal of playing with Isaiah Thomas. Tossing in the best point guard prospect in years with last year’s 1st round pick Jaylen Brown and next year’s Brooklyn pick (Michael Porter Jr. or Luka Doncic?) with cap space to add players and Boston is prime for the future.
2) Los Angeles Lakers- Jonathan Isaac, Forward, Florida State, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 26.2 MIN/12.0 PTS/56.8 eFG%/34.8 3PT%/7.8 REB/1.2 AST/1.2 STL/1.5 BLK
Measurements from 2016 Hoop Summit: 6’10 ½” height with shoes/205 lbs./7’1 ¼” wingspan/9’0 ½” standing reach
It’s unlikely the Lakers select anybody except Lonzo Ball with the second pick, but that doesn’t mean he’s the ideal fit for the team. Ball would undoubtedly elevate the offense with his passing and shooting abilities. I just don’t see how a backcourt of him and D’Angelo Russell would stop anybody on the defensive end (28th in PPG in 16’-17’ via NBA.com). Brandon Ingram is long and could develop into a defender if he adds weight, but this team needs massive help on this side of the court. Enter Jonathan Isaac.
Florida State’s Isaac epitomizes defensive versatility. He’s quick enough to contain guards and sufficiently long to protect the paint with his wingspan. Partnering him with Ingram gives the Lakers two players with length to disrupt opponents at the forward spot. Isaac was under-utilized offensively in college but can spot-up to space the floor and put it on the deck to go around close-outs. Cleaning up his handle and vision along with improving his rebounding would make him the perfect small-ball four or five. This potential makes him one of my favorite players in the draft.
In this scenario, the Lakers could opt for a mature point guard with their 28th pick, such as Colorado’s Derrick White, that helps complement Russell on both sides of the floor.
3) Philadelphia 76ers- Lonzo Ball, Point Guard, UCLA, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 35.1 MIN/14.6 PTS/66.8 eFG%/41.2 3PT%/7.6 AST/6.0 REB/1.8 STL/0.8 BLK
Measurements: 6’6” height/190 lbs./6’6” wingspan
Lonzo Ball would be gutted to not land on his hometown Lakers, but heading to the 76ers is best for both player and team. Philly needs shooting, and no player in this draft has the range Ball possesses in his funky motion. Ben Simmons is projected to be their primary ball handler, so surrounding him with as much shooting as possible will open the floor for him while his jump shot develops. Toss in Ball’s otherworldly vision and basketball IQ, and the core of Ball, Simmons, Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid means the Process is coming full-circle.
4) Phoenix Suns- Josh Jackson, Forward, Kansas, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 30.8 MIN/16.3 PTS/55.2 eFG%/37.8 3PT%/7.4 REB/3.0 AST/1.7 STL/1.1 BLK
Measurements from 2016 Hoop Summit: 6’7 ¾ height with shoes/6’9 ¾ wingspan/8’3” standing reach
The Suns would love for Lonzo to fall to four and may consider trading up to get him, but landing Josh Jackson would be a great scenario. Jackson would give Phoenix an ultra-competitor that is a jump-shot away from being the best player in this draft. He flies all over the court and would give this team another young piece to build around.
Jackson won’t be asked to carry the offensive load with Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker, and TJ Warren currently on the roster. His versatility to guard four positions would give Phoenix flexibility with lineups. A Booker, Jackson, Warren, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, and Tyler Ulis core will not win right away, but is a solid collection of talent.
5) Sacramento Kings- De’Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 29.6 MIN/16.7 PTS/49.7 eFG%/24.6 3PT%/4.6 AST/4.0 REB/1.5 STL/0.2 BLK
Measurements 2017 NBA Draft Combine: 6’3 ¼” height with shoes/170 lbs./6’6 ½” wingspan/8’4” standing reach
The obvious choice. Sacramento finally gets their point guard in Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox. He is the perfect backcourt complement with Buddy Hield with Fox’s shot creation and defensive potential. His pick-and-roll ability would lead to plenty of easy finishes at the rim for Willie Cauley-Stein. Fox’s shooting percentages are worrisome, so adding shooters around him would be smart to open lanes for drives.
Fox has flown up draft boards since his NCAA Tournament performances (especially vs. UCLA), which has prompted ideas of Sacramento packaging the fifth and tenth picks to move up to draft him. Doing so is not a smart move. The Kings have too many roster holes to swap two top-ten picks in this draft for Fox or anybody. He should fall to five based off teams needs ahead of them, though. Fox seems to welcome the idea of being a King, so the excitement around him is warranted for their fans.
6) Orlando Magic- Jayson Tatum, Forward, Duke, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 33.3 MIN/16.8 PTS/50.7 eFG%/34.2 3PT%/7.3 REB/2.1 AST/1.3 STL/1.1 BLK
Measurements from 2016 Hoop Summit: 6’8 ¼” height with shoes/204 lbs./6’11” wingspan/8’10 ½ standing reach
The Magic could go with a point guard in Dennis Smith, but a Jayson Tatum and Aaron Gordon frontcourt is too enticing to pass on. Orlando needs a go-to scorer in the half-court, which happens to be Tatum’s greatest strength. He benefitted in college by using his size to take on smaller threes and going around larger fours with his quickness. He’s a fluid scorer from all three levels with the ability to space the floor off-the-ball.
Aaron Gordon showed promise at the four after spending most of his career at the small forward position in big lineups. The extra space opened lanes for him and point guard Elfrid Payton as both develop their shooting strokes. Adding Tatum would stretch defenses out even more alongside guard Evan Fournier and mid-range specialist Nikola Vucevic. Tatum was an inconsistent defender at Duke but has the measurables to become effective on the wing.
7) Minnesota Timberwolves- OG Anunoby, Forward, Indiana, Sophomore
Stats per game 2016-17 (16 games): 25.1 MIN/11.1 PTS/61.5 eFG%/31.1 3PT%/5.4 REB/1.4 AST/1.3 STL/1.3 BLK
Measurements from 2017 NBA Draft Combine: 6’7 ¾” height with shoes/232 lbs. /7’2 ¼” wingspan/ 8’11 ½” standing reach
There is a lot of hype around the Wolves picking sharpshooting big man Lauri Markkanen. They have a need for a stretch four and Markkanen is considered one of the best shooters overall in this draft. But Tom Thibodaux is a defensive coach that loves players that compete on that side of the floor. Exactly why I consider OG Anunoby the best fit at seven for Minnesota.
Anunoby is coming off major knee surgery and may sit out next season, but he is the perfect player for Thibs to build a defense around. He has the size, length, and quickness to guard all five positions using his superb athleticism. His defensive chops make OG the ideal four next to Karl Anthony-Towns.
Offensively, Anunoby would be asked to spot-up and attack off the dribble. He could roam the baseline with defenses focusing on stopping Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Seventh overall may seem high for Anunoby, but this pairing is my favorite in the draft.
8) New York Knicks- Frank Ntilikina, Point Guard, Strasbourg International (France), 18.9 years old
Stats per game 2016-17 French League: 19.1 MIN/5.3 PTS/.53 eFG%/40.3 3PT%/2.3 REB/1.5 AST/0.8 STL/0.2 BLK
Measurements: 6’5” height/170 lbs.
The Knicks are hell-bent on running the triangle, making French international Ntilikina the logical pick with his defense and off-ball abilities. The triangle asks the point to spot-up more than run the offense and Ntilikina can make threes consistently. His basketball feel is good, and he is improving as a passer with more experience running an offense.
His calling card is on defense, however. He is active on the ball using his length to bother opponents. He can handle one through three on the perimeter and competes hard on this side of the floor. The Knicks are building around Kristaps Porzingis as Phil Jackson forces Carmelo out of town. Ntilikina isn’t the flashiest pick but would fill their void at the point in their triangle system.
9) Dallas Mavericks- Dennis Smith Jr., Point Guard, North Carolina State, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 34.8 MIN/18.1 PTS/52 eFG%/35.9 3PT%/6.2 AST/4.6 REB/1.9 STL/0.4 BLK
Measurements: 6’3” height/195 lbs.
Dennis Smith Jr. would excel in Rick Carlisle’s spread pick-and-roll offense. Smith played in tight spaces and still produced impressive numbers in his one-year stint at NC State. He is one of the best athletes in the draft with the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Smith is strong for his size and can finish through contact at the rim.
Surrounding him with shooters like Dirk, Seth Curry, Harrison Barnes, and Wesley Matthews will open the court for Smith. The primary concern is his defensive output, but Coach Carlisle will demand effort on both sides of the floor or simply not play him. The Mavericks need a point guard, and Smith is the best fit for their spread offense, especially with rim runner Nerlens Noel operating the Tyson Chandler role.
10) Sacramento Kings- Justin Jackson, Forward, North Carolina, Junior
Stats per game 2016-17: 32.2 MIN/18.3 PTS/53.1 eFG%/36.8 3PT%/4.7 REB/2.8 AST/0.2 BLK/0.8 STL
Measurements from 2017 NBA Draft Combine: 6’8 ¼” height with shoes/201 lbs. /6’11” wingspan/8’8 ½ standing reach
With some high-quality players remaining on the board, selecting Justin Jackson seems like a reach. Malik Monk and Markkanen would are two of the top shooters in the draft, an area of great need for the Kings. But their games are one-dimensional at this phase, and this team needs help in every facet.
Jackson was the 2016-17 ACC Player of the Year and led North Carolina to the National Championship. He improved his jump shot and is effective shooting off screens from anywhere. Jackson never stops moving to get open and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact. He uses an array of floaters to finish around the rim off the bounce or can make the simple pass.
Jackson showed the ability to lockdown guards and wings with his length and quickness. In this draft, adding Fox and Jackson would allow Head Coach Dave Joerger to hide Buddy Hield and give the Kings potential to build a strong defense. Jackson is a perfect role player to allow the other young pieces to develop their games. With Anunoby and Isaac gone, Justin Jackson would continue Sacramento’s movement towards the modern offense with versatility on both sides of the floor. I’d like to see the Kings pass on another big man in Markkanen or Zach Collins in this scenario with Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere already in place.
11) Charlotte Hornets- Malik Monk, Guard, Kentucky, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 32.1 MIN/19.8 PTS/54.3 eFG%/39.7 3PT%/2.3 AST/2.5 REB/0.9 STL/0.5 BLK
Measurements from Kentucky: 6’3” height with shoes/197 lbs./6’3 ½ wingspan/8’3” standing reach
Malik Monk’s shooting ability will likely make him a top ten pick, but he falls to 11 in this scenario, finally filling the two-guard void in Charlotte. Adding Monk would allow All-Star point guard Kemba Walker to play some off the ball with Monk being able to handle some ball handling responsibility. The excitement comes from the space he would open up for Kemba and the rest of the offense. These two would form a fearless duo that could grow into one of the best shooting pairings in the NBA.
Monk’s measurements limit his defensive potential making him and Walker liabilities against larger backcourts. But the offensive potential is too much to pass up, especially with this team in dire need of a second scorer to go with Kemba. Charlotte has their frontcourt with Nic Batum, Marvin Williams, Frank Kaminsky, Cody Zeller, and Marvin Williams on the roster, which makes Monk the choice here. If he’s gone, late-riser Luke Kennard is a secondary option.
12) Detroit Pistons- Zach Collins, Forward/Center, Gonzaga, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 17.2 MIN/10.0 PTS/67.6 eFG%/47.6 3PT%/5.9 REB/.4 AST/1.8 BLK/0.5 STL
Measurements from 2017 NBA Draft Combine: 7’0” height with shoes/232 lbs./7’1” wingspan/9’3” standing reach
The Pistons are at a crossroads with their roster. They are shopping Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, and have choices to make with players becoming free agents. I think Stan Van Gundy starts building a spread offense around Gonzaga’s versatile big man, Zach Collins.
Collins came off the bench for the Zags but was efficient and effective in his limited minutes. He can score in the post and has a jumper that translates in pick-and-pop situations. His foul rate is alarmingly high, but Collins has a good feel defensively and blocked shots at a high clip in college. This pick gives Detroit a player in the middle to start what could be an offseason of turnover in Detroit.
13) Denver Nuggets- Harry Giles, Forward, Duke, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 11.5 MIN/3.9 PTS/57.7 eFG%/ 3.8 REB/ 0.7 BLK/0.3 STL
Measurements from 2017 NBA Draft Combine: 6’10 ½” height with shoes/232 lbs. /7’3 ¼” wingspan/9’1 ½” standing reach
With one of the youngest and brightest rosters in the league built around Nikola Jokic and Jamaal Murray, the Nuggets could afford to take a risk at pick 13. They have a solid young backcourt with Murray, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Gary Harris, so finding an active, athletic defender to play with Jokic would be wise. Harry Giles came into the season as a top-three prospect, but a history of knee surgeries, including an October operation, has seen his stock fall.
When healthy, Giles is an explosive athlete that can guard all five positions. He combines this athleticism with a high motor that allows him to control the glass. His offensive game is a work in progress, but there is enough footage of him handling the ball to see him develop into a dangerous open court player. Jokic is skilled enough offensively to makes plays for himself and others despite Giles’ lack of shooting. This player is a huge risk at the end of the lottery, but Denver can afford it, and he fits a need at the four position.
14) Miami Heat- Lauri Markkanen, Forward, Arizona, Freshman
Stats per game 2016-17: 30.8 MIN/15.6 PTS/58.4 eFG%/42.3 3PT%/7.2 REB/0.9 AST/0.5 BLK/0.4 STL
Measurements: 7’0” height/225 lbs.
Being selected 14 overall would be a significant fall for Lauri Markkanen, but the Heat would be the best place for him to land. On the court, his shooting makes him the perfect partner to Hassan Whiteside in the front court. He’d play with an experienced point guard in Goran Dragic whose drive and kick ability give Markkanen open looks. Head coach Erik Spoelstra will play to Lauri’s offensive talents while demanding more of him on the defensive end.
Off the court, working with Miami’s strength staff is the best bet for Markkanen to add strength and quickness to his slender frame. He’s not the strongest athlete, and that has limited his defensive upside, but Miami possesses a world-class conditioning program that would improve Lauri’s athleticism. They could transform his body just as they did with James Johnson this past offseason, and maximize his potential.
Next: A Royal Prospect- Markelle Fultz
Thanks for checking it out my mock draft. Feel free to find me on twitter @dugger_fern and send me your thoughts. My full first round mock draft will post on Draft Day, Thursday, June 22nd.
All stats and measurements came from DraftExpress.com