NBA Mock Draft 2017: Chad Ford 4.0 released

With the NCAA Tournament concluding, the college basketball season is officially over.

That means the NBA Draft is now the next major event as many of the nation’s top college players look to hear their names called during the draft in June. Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox won’t have to wait long as they become the latest Kentucky Wildcats to become high draft selections.

Both of those Cats have already declared for the draft and plan to sign with agents, locking them into becoming NBA pros this year. It was an easy decision for both since they’re being projected as top-seven picks now.

ESPN’s Chad Ford just released his latest NBA Mock Draft, which has Monk going No. 4 to the Magic:

4. Orlando Magic - Malik Monk

The Magic are a mess and could undertake a major front-office and roster overhaul this summer. That makes it a bit difficult to project the team's needs.

There would be several good options on the board for the Magic here. They could add another point guard to compete with Elfrid Payton or replace the dynamic scoring they lost last summer when they traded away Victor Oladipo. It's not an easy call, but Monk's 3-point shooting looks especially attractive.

Ford now has Fox landing with the Kings at No. 9:

7. Sacramento Kings - De'Aaron Fox

The Kings are still looking for a long-term solution at point guard, and Fox has a chance to be special. He's the fastest guard in the draft and plays with heart and toughness. He struggles as a shooter, but he does everything else very well.

The Kings will be tempted if Tatum is still on the board. They also need a small forward (with Rudy Gay on the way out), and Tatum's advanced game has some scouts ranking him as high as No. 1. It could come down to Tatum or Fox if the Kings land at No. 6.

Don’t count on Bam Adebayo coming back for a sophomore season, at least if Ford’s latest mock is any indicator. Ford now has Adebayo cracking the top 20 as the Bucks scoop him up at No. 19.

19. Milwaukee Bucks - Edrice Adebayo

"Bam" played much better over the last month of the college season. When he plays with toughness as a rebounder and finisher at the rim, he looks the part of a lottery pick.

The Bucks could use that toughness in the paint to balance all the skilled perimeter players they employ.

Ford does not have any other Wildcats cracking the first round. Here’s how the entire draft lottery played out:

1. Boston Celtics (via Nets) - Markelle Fultz

2. Phoenix Suns - Lonzo Ball

3. L.A. Lakers- Josh Jackson

4. Orlando Magic - Malik Monk

5. Philadelphia 76ers - Dennis Smith

6. New York Knicks - Jayson Tatum

7. Sacramento Kings - De'Aaron Fox

8. Minnesota Timberwolves - Lauri Markkanen

9. Dallas Mavericks - Frank Ntilikina

10. Sacramento Kings (via Pelicans) - Jonathan Isaac

11. Detroit Pistons - Zach Collins

12. Charlotte Hornets - Miles Bridges

13. Denver Nuggets - Harry Giles

14. Miami Heat - TJ Leaf