2017 NBA Draft Grades (Lottery)

It'll take at least three to five years to really evaluate this year's draft and how it went down, but who doesn't love some knee-jerk reactions and way too soon grades for picks?

1. Philadelphia 76ers - Markelle Fultz - A

Fultz was pretty much the unanimous #1 overall pick, and the Sixers needed a point guard, so this is an easy grade. Philly filled their need and probably got the best player available, win-win.

2. Los Angeles Lakers - Lonzo Ball - B+

Josh Jackson was the second best player in this draft, and the Lakers had D'Angelo Russell. But, after turning Russell and Mozgov into Brook Lopez, this is far from a bad pick. Lonzo's ceiling is high, but the Lakers better hope he pans out and makes the Staples Center the place to be for free agents in years to come.

3. Boston Celtics - Jayson Tatum - B+

Again, Josh Jackson is the better prospect, but having drafted Jaylen Brown last year, and still having Jae Crowder on the roster (at least for now), Tatum's ability to play the 4 for the Celtics is a good get. Tatum may also have the highest floor of the top 5 picks, even if his ceiling is lower.

4. Phoenix Suns - Josh Jackson - A

If Fultz is the best player now in the draft (not my words), then Jackson has the chance to become the best player from this draft (my words). 

5. Sacramento Kings - De'Aaron Fox - A

The Kings best pick in years. Sacramento finally showed some life in the front office this year, even if Fox was a no-brainer at #5. 

6. Orlando Magic - Jonathan Isaac - B-

Following the top 5 in this draft is tough, and Isaac is a wild card right now, but the Magic are pretty committed already at the guard and post positions, so taking a chance on a high risk-high reward wing isn't a bad move for the Magic.

7. Chicago Bulls (via Timberwolves) - Lauri Markkanen - B+

Saying goodbye to Jimmy Butler and any chance at contending in the East will be tough for Bulls fans, but adding Zach Lavine and Lauri Markkanen isn't the worst thing if they're going to go all-in on tanking. Chicago now has Lavine, Kris Dunn, Cameron Payne, Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis, and Markkanen to experiment with.

8. New York Knicks - Frank Ntilinkina - B-

Ntilinkina has promise, but if the Knicks wanted a point guard, Dennis Smith was still on the board. The Knicks claim to not want to tank with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis still on the team, but drafting the project of a point guard over an electric, ready to play now guy is certainly a move in the opposite direction.

9. Dallas Mavericks - Dennis Smith - A

This may be the steal of the draft. Mark Cuban should be ecstatic about this pick, with Seth Curry as a fall back, Smith will be given a chance to take the reigns of a solid roster in Dallas, and jump start the post-Dirk Nowitzki era.

10. Portland Trail Blazers (via Kings) - Zach Collins - C

Why? Just, why? The Blazers must know something we don't if they were willing to pass up on taking chances on two bigs at 15 and 20 for the chance to get Collins at #10.

11. Charlotte Hornets - Malik Monk - A

This may also be the steal of the draft. Monk will get to step in next to Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum for a team that desperately needs outside shooting, and has quite the interesting roster. Plus, who doesn't want a Jordan Brand sponsorship?

12. Detroit Pistons - Luke Kennard - A

For a couple minutes Pistons fans may have thought they had a chance to steal Monk here, but Kennard is a great consolation prize. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope set to make the big bucks as a restricted free agent, Detroit can now save their money by adding Kennard's shooting ability.

13. Utah Jazz (via Nuggets) - Donovan Mitchell - C-

This just doesn't make much sense with Joe Johnson, Alec Burks, Rodney Hood, Dante Exum, and maybe Gordon Hayward all still on the roster next year. The only possibility here is that Utah sees Mitchell as an option at point guard if George Hill leaves in free agency.

14. Miami Heat - Bam Adebayo - B-

Not much to say here, this is where the draft is up in the air, and the Heat don't have much as far as returning players go.

NBA Comparisons For This Year's Top Prospects

Let me preface this post by saying that these comparisons are in terms of the players physical traits, and play style, and NOT that these prospects will become the annual all-star caliber players that they are being compared to. That mistake mentioned above is one of my biggest gripes with the NBA draft these days, players like Lebron, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, or Dirk Nowitzki are once in a lifetime players, and it's incredibly unfair to expect a player like Andrew Wiggins to be "the next Lebron James".

That being said, comparisons like these can be a good way of predicting the type of player these prospects will become, and can serve as a type of abstract or summary for the more casual basketball fans out there.

Markelle Fultz - Kyle Lowry

Yes, I know Fultz is listed at 6'4" and Lowry is one of the smaller guards at 6'0", but this is why this comparison is actually one that Fultz could outgrow. Fultz is deadly in the pick and roll, and has good size and athleticism for his position. If he can continue to shoot the ball well from beyond the arc at the next level, Fultz could basically be Kyle Lowry 2.0, bigger, faster, stronger, and, better.

Josh Jackson - Paul George

Let's be clear here, the more likely result for Jackson is his fellow one-and-done Jayhawk Andrew Wiggins, but in his one year at Kansas, Jackson already showed more willingness to impose his will on games. Jackson's big "flaw" is his inability to consistently make free throws, which many people take as an indication that he struggles shooting the ball. However, that assumption is false, while Jackson doesn't let it fly from deep as often as someone like Malik Monk, he hit 44% of his shots from deep during Big12 play last season. Realistically, Jackson should end up somewhere between Wiggins and George, but only time will tell.

Lonzo Ball - Russell Westbrook

Now before you immediately click off of this post because I just compared Lonzo to the reigning MVP/Triple-Double machine, let me explain. Do I think Lonzo will be a 30+ ppg scorer? No, I'm not his dad. BUT, Lonzo's size and skill-set are unique for his position, and his ability to speed up the game while still seeing the floor in slow motion is uncanny. To sum it up, Lonzo is Russell Westbrook with a three-point shot, and the will to do what's best for the team, not the MVP race. (@ me Westbrook fans, I'd love to have this debate).

De'Aaron Fox - John Wall

This is likely the least surprising comparison on this list. Both Fox and Wall are one-and-done Kentucky/Calipari products with elite speed and play-making ability, they even both came out of college with an unproven jump shot. Fox isn't quite the physical specimen Wall was coming out of college, but his numbers are almost identical. Fox's floor is probably more of a Jeff Teague or Dennis Scrhoeder, maybe Reggie Jackson at worst, but is that so bad?

Jayson Tatum - Tobias Harris

This is probably the most modest comparison here, but that's because Tatum was often playing third-fiddle to Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard, and when he did get more shots, was less efficient. That being said, Tatum was fantastic when he was able to get to the line, and shot 85% from the stripe. Tatum has the potential to be a top-10 small-forward in the league if he becomes more consistently aggressive and efficient when doing so.

In conclusion, it's really hard to tell which of these five guys will be the best in five years, or if it will be someone from this draft not even in the lottery. Fultz and Jackson appear to be the most reliable picks, but it's very possible that Ball, Fox, or Tatum out-perform them throughout their careers.

This makes this draft an exciting one to follow down the road, not because it will be one where we look back and say "wow, that guy drafted in the 20s should've been a top-5 pick", but because the top end is so loaded, that it'll be fun to watch how they all pan out.

2017 NBA Lottery Mock Draft

With the Lottery set, and the draft less than a week away, it's time to look at what each team should do Thursday night to avoid an uproar from their fan base (unless, of course, you're the Knicks drafting Kristaps Porzingis, then do you, New York).

Last season's draft pool featured a number of players poised to have long careers, but seemed to lack the potential All Stars that this year's draft holds (to be determined, of course). This brings more intrigue to this year's draft, especially after last year's top 2 picks didn't exactly impress during their first year in the league, Ben Simmons sitting out the entire season due to injury (and/or The Process), and Brandon Ingram posting one of the worst rookie seasons in league history.

Also unlike last year, this year's player pool features a number of guards with sky-high ceilings, in what has become a very guard dominant league. While the Markelle Fultz Lonzo Ball debate seems to be all but decided at this point, Ball appears to be dropping to the next tier of guards in the draft, and may not even be the second point guard off the board.

1. Philadelphia 76ers

In an apparent attempt to speed up "The Process", the Sixers agreed to terms with the Celtics to swap the third and first picks this year, along with either the Lakers' pick next year (2-5), or the Kings pick the following year. We can only assume that this means Philly is set on taking Markelle Fultz, and rounding out one of the most intriguing young cores in the NBA.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

In part due to Lavar Ball's comments that his son would "only play for the Lakers", and the result that Lonzo did in fact only work out for the Lakers, it seemed inevitable that the Lakers would take the Chino Hills and UCLA standout. Until recently, that is, rumors and reports have been circling that the eldest Ball brother has less than impressed the Lakers in his workouts, and that there is a legitimate possibility that the Lakers could look elsewhere. All of the media stuff aside (it is Hollywood, after all), with D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson showing promise in the back court, the Lakers may be wise to take Josh Jackson, a can't miss athlete, with superstar potential, and at the very least, can be insurance in case Brandon Ingram can't turn it around in year two.

3. Boston Celtics

As always, there's still a chance that Danny Ainge has another move up his sleeve and that this will not be where the Celtics make their first selection Thursday night, but for now, we'll assume that Mr. Ainge will stand pat. If the Lakers do go with Jackson, the Celtics will be left in an interesting position, likely deciding between De'Aaron Fox and Lonzo Ball, the latter of which did not work out for the team. Despite less media attention (due to a certain individual, ironic posting this on Father's Day), Fox has had less hype built up about him, however Fox outplayed Ball in both meetings in college, despite a 1-1 record, averaging 29.5 ppg and 6.5 apg, on 51.5% shooting. If the Celtics retain this pick, De'Aaron Fox seems like the smart pick.

4. Phoenix Suns

The Suns do a great job of leaving NBA fans scratching their heads on draft night pretty much every year, but admittedly, Devin Booker has proven himself, and in more regular minutes Marquese Chriss showed promise at the end of last year. Moving one of Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Knight wouldn't be a surprise, but to justify drafting a point guard with either of them still on the roster would be, well, a Suns move. None the less, Jayson Tatum would be a great fit in Phoenix, and could form a fantastic one-two punch on the wings with Booker in years to come.

5. Sacramento Kings

Now how great would Lonzo Ball to the Kings be? Ball and Boogie would have been the best League Pass duo in the entire league, and probably would have been the best reality show on TV. Who knows if Lavar will even let Lonzo play in Sacramento, but we all want to see it, plus, if he really is the franchise player his dad says he is, maybe he can put out the dumpster fire that is the Kings right now.

6. Orlando Magic

From one confusing franchise to another, perhaps the Magic's biggest problem is not knowing whether or not any of their current players are any good, or just good numbers on a bad team (looking at you, Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier). It's really anyone's guess what the Magic do here, but fit wise Jonathan Isaac seems like the right move.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves

Malik Monk. It just has to be. The Wolves would thrive with a knock down shooter to add to their young core, and that's just Monk's floor. The Sixers "Process" might get more publicity, but the chance to run out Zach Lavine, Malik Monk, Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng, and Karl-Anthony Towns is an opportunity far too good to pass up for Minnesota.

8. New York Knicks

The Knicks roster next year is in question to say the least, with the ever-swirling trade rumors around Carmelo Anthony, Derrrick Rose's free agency, and the more recent question of whether or not Porzingis still wants to remain in the Big Apple. Banking on the fact that both Melo and Porzingis stick around, Dennis Smith would be a nice experiment for New York. Smith had his ups and downs at N.C. State a year ago, but can really put on a show at times, and what better place to get the chance to wow the crowd than MSG?

9. Dallas Mavericks

7 foot tall European who lets it fly from beyond the arc but doesn't neglect his rebounding responsibilities? There might be someone in Dallas who knows a thing or two about that type of skill set. Will Lauri Markkanen turn into Dirk Nowitzki? Doubtful, but Dirk is one of the best of all time, and would be a fantastic mentor to the Finnish prospect during his final season in Dallas. Heck, the Mavs could even play them together and create some ridiculous floor spacing if Markkanen proves ready right away.

10. Sacramento Kings

This is weird, the Kings ended up making a good move? Thanks New Orleans...With tons of roster flexibility and no clear direction, the Kings just need talent, or a diamond in the rough. Whether or not the Kings do get Ball as mentioned above is yet to be seen, but taking a chance on Frank Ntilikina out of France seems like a good opportunity for Sacramento either way.

11. Charlotte Hornets

If Michael Jordan had an aversion to Duke players, he wouldn't have signed Miles Plumlee to a 4-year $50 million contract (yes, you read that right). With that being cleared up, Luke Kennard would be a great fit for the Hornets, bringing shooting and play-making to a team that lacks spacing at times and can rely a bit too much on Kemba Walker.

12. Detroit Pistons

Most Detroit fans are probably hoping Kennard will fall to them at 12, and that they won't have to match whatever absurd offer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope receives as a restricted free agent, but with Kennard and Monk off the board, the Pistons will have to look elsewhere. It's no secret that Detroit has been looking to move Andre Drummond, and whether or not that happens, Zach Collins would be a good insurance pick up, either as Drummond's backup, or as a potential replacement.

13. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggest find themselves in no-man's land here, with a lack of help for budding star Nikola Jokic on roster if Danilo Gallinari departs in free agency, and no sure thing prospect left at this point of the draft. Taking Bam Adebayo here would allow the Nuggets to potentially shop Kenneth Faried for more perimeter help.

14. Miami Heat

Somehow, Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra almost turned last year's Miami Heat roster into a playoff team (honorable mention to Dion Waiters and his efforts), but now similar to the Nuggets the Heat find themselves in an awkward position. It may seem a bit high according to a lot of other Mocks, but T.J. Leaf's ability to score from all areas would be a nice compliment to Hassan Whiteside (if he sticks around).