2017 NBA Draft: First Lottery Mock Draft

We finally know the official draft order, which means mock drafts start to make a little more sense. The deadline for college players to return to school (those without an agent at least) is still to come, but there are hardly any potential first round picks that aren't 100% in the draft.

01. Boston Celtics (from Brooklyn): Markelle Fultz, PG Washington (6-4, 195)
Barring the completely unexpected happening and the Celtics going off script, Markelle Fultz will be the top pick in the draft, as he should. The real question is what the Celtics do with Fultz and the rest of their roster. You have to think, even if it makes sense, they can't trade Isaiah Thomas, nor does it seem tenable to go into the year trying to find time for Fultz, Thomas, Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier, all of whom are 6-4 or shorter. Who do they trade? Does it happen on draft night? Time will tell, though my money is on Bradley and Rozier.

02. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG UCLA (6-6, 190)
By landing the second pick in the lottery, the Lakers get what they want and Lonzo Ball and his camp get what they want. The Lakers want a marketable player and the Balls wanted to be in a big market, that just happens to be close to home. Ball and D'Angelo Russell are tenuous fit as a backcourt, as both want the ball in their hands and are defensively challanged. Does Russell get traded? It is a distinct possibility, especially with Paul George potentially on the market and wanting to play in LA.

03. Philadelphia 76ers (from Sacramento): Malik Monk, SG Kentucky (6-3, 200)
The Sixers hold the key to the rest of the draft, whatever direction they go in will dictate how the rest of the top ten shakes out. Any of the wings, Jackson, Tatum, or Isaac would make sense from a value standpoint, though each poses potential fit problems. Malik Monk might not be as highly regarded in draft circles, but he couldn't be a better fit for the Sixers, and their non-process regime might be looking to complete their project soon rather than later and make a run for the playoffs.

04. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, SG/SF Kansas (6-8, 207)
Presumably, the Suns will take whichever of the forwards, between Jackson, Tatum, and Isaac that they like best and that is still available when they pick. Jackson and Isaac seem like better fits than Tatum, and since Jackson is the higher regarded prospect, he makes the most sense as the pick. The Suns were a very poor defensive team last season, with one of the main culprits being their defensive limitations on the perimeter. Jackson, due to high high motor and athletic ability, has the potential to be an excellent defender, though his offensive fit is more questionable, as is his jumpshot.

05. Sacramento Kings (from Philadelphia): Jayson Tatum, SF/PF Duke (6-8, 205)
After finally moving on from DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings have two top ten picks to start their rebuild and a pretty bare cupboard already on the roster. Though there is some question of just how efficient he can be, many believe Tatum can be a top option on offense and an a solid defender. Due to their lack of players, the Kings could really go in any direction, with point guard being the main one they should consider. However, with two top ten picks and five potential lottery point guards, to me it makes more sense to bet on one of them falling to ten and drafting the best prospect available.

06. Orlando Magic: Dennis Smith Jr, PG North Carolina State (6-3, 195)
The Magic are in a tough spot because they need a point guard, but the prospect that most consider to be third best at that position, De'Aaron Fox, is far too similar to Elfrid Payton, the last point guard they invested a top ten pick in and a player who, while he has his strengths, isn't a starting level player and somewhat of a bust based on where he was drafted, so far at least. Dennis Smith Jr has as much talent and potential as anyone in the draft, though his effort has waxed and waned, the ability is never a question. He is also a very different player from Fox and Payton, which might be enough to break a tie in Smith's favor. 

07. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF Florida State (6-10, 210)
The Timberwolves and Jonathan Isaac are a match made in basketball heaven. One of the final pieces Minnesota needs is a versatile defensive forward who can guard multiple positions and protect the rim. Minnesota's variety of talented scorers will also help mitigate Isaac's main shortcoming, offensive confidence.

08. New York Knicks: De'Aaron Fox, PG Kentucky (6-3¼, 170)
For many, there are a top eight prospects in this draft before a drop off, which leaves the Knicks in a solid enough position to grab the last of the tier, regardless of their position, since the Knicks basically need everything besides a center/power forward (whatever the Knicks see him as). De'Aaron Fox isn't a prototypical triangle point guard (how sad is it that this is a consideration in 2017) because he doesn't shoot it all that well, but his energy, defense, athleticism, and passing all past the test of a solid point guard prospect, something the Knicks haven't had in ages. 

09. Dallas Mavericks: Lauri Markkanen, PF/C Arizona (7-0, 230)
How picture perfect would this be? As Dirk Nowitzki enters his twilight years, he mentors another 7-foot shooter to be his heir. Markkanen is one of the best, most versatile shooters as a big man in ages and would be used perfectly by Rick Carlisle and fits really well with Nerlens Noel as a center that can cover a lot of ground a protect the rim, areas were Markkanen struggles.

10. Sacramento Kings (from New Orleans): Frank Ntilikina, PG Strasbourg (6-5, 170)
This is the argument for passing on a point guard at five, there is a good chance that Frank Ntilikina will be available. And if not, you take another player, it's not like point guard is the only need the Kings have. Ntilikina is a bit of a mystery man for many, but he has been on radars for a while and has shown a lot of growth as a shooter to compliment his defense and pick-and-roll play. 

11. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Mitchell, SG Louisville (6-3, 211)
Barring a surprise choice, the Hornets are the in unenviable position of sitting right after a tier drop off, which means they will have a wide open field of prospects from which to choose. While UNC's Justin Jackson makes sense because of the Michael Jordan/Tarheel connection, he is fairly duplicative of Nic Batum. With excellent measurables (6-10 wingspan, 40½ vertical leap) to backup much improved play as a Sophomore, Donovan Mitchell is a nice fit for the Hornets because they really need another playmaker and defender. 

12. Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard, SG Duke (6-5½, 196)
The Pistons would probably love a point guard, but without one to take they can target some Kentavious Caldwell-Pope insurance and a shooter the Pistons need. The Pistons were a bottom five team in both three-point makes and percentage. Kennard went from afterthought (on his own team!) to lock first round pick over the course of his Sophomore season. Kennard is a knockdown shooter with a little bit of creativity to his game.

13. Denver Nuggets: OG Anunoby, SF/PF Indiana (6-7¾, 232)
With a ton of young players already, the Nuggets are able to take a chance on upside with risk. OG Anunoby has tremendous defensive potential and a very questionable offensive game and a knee injury. The Nuggets had a great offense and a really bad defense last season, a full strength Anunoby will help one and hurt the other, at least until he can shoot the ball better than the .311% he did last season.

14. Miami Heat: Zach Collins, C Gonzaga (7-1, 232)
While center isn't exactly a position of need for the Heat since they have Hassan Whiteside, he is a good value and will give them depth and, if Collins develops, as way to move on from Whiteside if need be. Collins' measurements weren't great at the combine, particularly his wingspan, but in college he showed he can block shots and score around the rim. Justin Jackson makes sense here as well because the Heat are set to potentially lose several of their forwards.

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2016 NBA Draft: Philadelphia 76ers Draft Review

Current 2016-17 Roster

PG: T.J. McConnell/Kendall Marshall

SG: Nik Stauskas/Timothe Luwawu

SF: Robert Covington/Jerami Grant

PF: Ben Simmons/Dario Saric/Richaun Holmes

C: Joel Embiid/Nerlens Noel/Jahlil Okafor/Carl Landry

Free Agents

PF Elton Brand

PG Ish Smith

G Isaiah Canaan (Restricted)

SG Hollis Thompson (Restricted)

PF Christian Wood (Restricted)

Who They Acquired

01. Ben Simmons, G/F LSU

Philadelphia made the pick everyone was expecting and drafted Simmons, who is essentially a 6-10 lead guard with his advanced ball-handling, vision, and point guard skills. He is tremendous in transition and rebounds very well, but there are questions about his ability to shoot, defend, and lead.

24. Timothe Luwawu, SF Mega Leks

Luwawu's "value" (whatever that means) seems to have peaked early in the process before he slided back into where he started, in the late first round. The Frenchman has defensive potential and a developing, if inconsistent jumpshot and some floor game, though both need polishing out. Reportedly Luwawu will come to Philadelphia this coming season.

26. Furkan Korkmaz, SG Anadolu Efes

The Sixers doubled up on international wing prospects, taking the raw but talented Korkmaz. The Turkish international is a very good athlete with a sweet outside stroke and some slasher potential, though his ability to score inside the arc is a question mark.

How They Fit

Simmons is obviously, along with Joel Embiid if he can stay healthy, part of the two foundational building blocks in Philadelphia. By taking Simmons, the Sixers are committing to building around him and playing in a style that suits him. That means getting up and down with fast, athletic players that can both shoot and defend as well as a big man that can play pick-and-roll and defend the rim. Simmons will, more often than not, be the primary ball-handler and playmaker, the point guard. Spreading the floor with a 4/5 pick-and-roll with Simmons and Embiid (or Noel) will be the bread-and-butter of this offense, give him the ball, set a screen and let him have a wide-open floor to see and create. Simmons can also posted up if opponents try to put a smaller player on him, however if defenders lay off and dare Simmons to shoot, he will need to find a way around that tactic, something he was unable to do consistently in college.

Luwawu, should he come over right away as is being reported, will be an important part of the Sixers are doing, ready or not, because they really lack true wings that can shoot the ball. Even if that weakness is addressed in trade or free agency, Luwawu should be a big part of their plans going forward because he fits so well with Simmons and Embiid. Provided Luwawu continues his development as a shooter, his ability to run in transition and space the floor should be ideal for the type of up-tempo, spread out offense you want to run with Simmons. Defensively, Luwawu looks to be an ace against 1s and 2s, but we will need to get stronger if he wants to switch beyond that and guard bigger wings, which is presumably the kind of defense you'd like to play with Simmons, as his point guard skills allow you to play three wings instead of a traditional point guard.

Whether in Europe of the D-League next season, Korkmaz has some clear areas of improvement he can focus on before becoming a part of Philadelphia's main roster. First and foremost, he needs to get stronger. At roughly 6-7, 185 Korkmaz is far too skinny and it shows in his finishing and defense, which are the two most glaring areas of weakness in his game. Just getting stronger will help Korkmaz with both, but there is more to it than that, particularly craft as a finisher and effort as a defender. If he becomes a finished product, Korkmaz would be similar to Luwawu as an athletic wing that can get up and down the floor, but likely with better shooting and worse defense.

What They Need Going Forward

First and foremost, the Sixers need to get their big man position sorted out, they have the most imbalanced roster in the league with zero at least average NBA guards and seven guys who are best at center and power forward, eight if Dario Saric comes over. Despite their efforts to trade Nerlens Noel (a good fit with Ben Simmons), Jahlil Okafor (an apocalyptically bad fit with Simmons) is the one they need to move, possibly throwing in another of their young bigs in attempt to bring back a better guard or wing.

The Sixers have made it clear they are willing to spend money in free agency and the guard and wing spots should be their focus, in particular those that can defend and shoot. And while Simmons is able to play point guard himself, it would be a mistake not to put other playmakers on the floor because he can be played off of so severely. Besides, why wouldn't you want more passers and playmakers on the floor?

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