The 2017 NBA Draft is coming up on Thursday, I think it's probably a good time for a mock draft. A little disclaimer here, having grown up near the Twin Cities and having since moved to Phoenix, I'm a big fan of the Suns and the Timberwolves. Anyways, here's my mock:
- Philadelphia 76ers - Markelle Fultz - PG - Washington
- Los Angles Lakers - Lonzo Ball - PG - UCLA
- Boston Celtics - Josh Jackson - SF - Kansas
- Phoenix Suns - Jonathan Isaac - F - Florida State
- Sacramento Kings - De'Aaron Fox - PG - Kentucky
- Orlando Magic - Jayson Tatum - SF - Duke
- Minnesota Timberwolves - Malik Monk - OG - Kentucky
- New York Knicks - Dennis Smith - PG - North Carolina State
- Dallas Mavericks - Frank Ntilikina - PG - International
- Sacramento Kings - Lauri Markkanen - PF - Arizona
- Charlotte Hornets - Zach Collins - PF - Gonzaga
- Detroit Pistons - Luke Kennard - OG - Duke
- Denver Nuggets - John Collins - PF - Wake Forest
- Miami Heat - OG Anunoby - SF - Indiana
- Portland Trail Blazers - Justin Patton - C - Creighton
- Chicago Bulls - Jarrett Allen - C - Texas
- Milwaukee Bucks - Bam Adebayo - C - Kentucky
- Indiana Pacers - Justin Jackson - SF - North Carolina
- Atlanta Hawks - Harry Giles - C - Duke
- Portland Trail Blazers - T.J. Leaf - PF - UCLA
- Oklahoma City Thunder - Ivan Rabb - PF - California
- Brooklyn Nets - Isaiah Hartenstein - PF - International
- Toronto Raptors - Semi Ojeleye - F - SMU
- Utah Jazz - D.J. Wilson - PF - Michigan
- Orlando Magic - Donovan Mitchell - SF - Louisville
- Portland Trail Blazers - Jordan Bell - PF - Oregon
- Brooklyn Nets - Anzejs Pasecniks - C - International
- Los Angeles Lakers - Tyler Lydon - PF - Syracust
- San Antonio Spurs - Josh Hart - OG - Villanova
- Utah Jazz - Frank Jackson - G - Duke
Josh Jackson seems like he'd be an ideal fit for the Suns, I don't see him falling to number 4 though. I doubt that Fultz or Ball do either, if any of them did, I suspect that the Suns would pounce on them. Outside of those 3, I have heard they like
Jonathan Isaac,
Jayson Tatum and
De'Arron Fox. I don't see the need for a PG, so I'd rule out Fox. I'd probably go with Tatum if I was making the pick, he would slot
very nicely into the SF spot for them. I'm guessing they go with
Jonathan Isaac though, he could potentially play anywhere in their front court and seems to fit perfectly into the direction that the NBA is moving towards (his game is very similar to Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss though).
The Timberwolves look to be targeting shooters and defenders.
Malik Monk would certainly give them a shooter, as would
Lauri Markkanen, both have their faults though, namely
defense.
Dennis Smith or
Frank Ntilikina would perhaps offer more complete players, but they both play primary at the PG spot and unless the Wolves swing a
deal or two, I just can't see them selecting another
PG. If Jonathan Isaac were to fall to them, I'm guessing he'd be their pick, I doubt that happens though. I'd put my money on
Monk or
Markkenan. Or how about
packaging #7 along with Ricky Rubio & Zach LaVine to the Bulls for Jimmy Butler and #16?
