:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54900999/usa_today_9660221.0.jpg)
With the lottery done and the entirety of the 2017 NBA Draft order set in stone, for now anyway, it is now time to mock. Find out here where all the Kentucky Wildcats are predicted to be drafted to, as well potential fits for the rest of the prospects in what is an absolutely loaded NBA Draft.
Pick: Markelle Fultz, G, Washington
A team currently in the Eastern Conference Finals will likely land the best guard prospect in recent memory. Where Boston goes from here will be interesting to see, whether Fultz gets the nod as the starting two guard immediately or comes off the bench. Regardless this adds major power to an already loaded Celtics roster.
Pick: Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA
The Lakers vitally need a playmaker and more spot up shooting from the perimeter, and that's what Lonzo can bring. The pairing alongside D'Angelo Russell could fair well enough to have the Lakers finally winning some games again. His playmaking ability switched UCLA from mediocrity to powerhouse, he has the capability to do so in the NBA as well.
Pick: Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
Monk has the potential to be the best off-ball offensive player in this draft. Despite being just 6'3" he has a jumper that he can hit from anywhere, absurd athleticism and proven playmaking ability as well. Monk could fill the void of that knockdown shooting prescience that the 76ers are lacking, and could work well in certain pick and roll situations with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
4) Phoenix Suns
Pick: Josh Jackson, SF, Kansas
Jackson has loads and loads of potential and that flourished at Kansas. His versatility makes him a game changing prospect for whoever drafts him. Phenomenal passing ability, rebounds well for a backcourt player, has defensive potential that's off the charts, and his perimeter shot improved drastically by the end of the year. This kind of player next to Devin Booker may just help propel the Suns to prosperity again.
Pick: Dennis Smith Jr., PG, NC State
Dennis Smith Jr. is a shot creator in every essence. Shoots it well from the perimeter, has explosiveness that resembles Russell Westbrook, and is a proven playmaker as well. With the young talent the Kings have, someone has dynamic as Smith should be a perfect fit.
Pick: De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
Best scenario for Orlando is to go best player available. In this case that is De'Aaron Fox. The lightning fast point guard should prove to be an immediate difference maker. When you have a roster of unproven talent like the Magic do, you need someone dynamic to bring the best out of everyone else. Fox can do that.
Pick: Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State
Isaac needs some developing in order to become a quality NBA player. Minnesota could be the perfect place for that to happen. Alongside Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins, Isaac could flourish as a stretch four but could become much more if developed well enough.
Pick: Jayson Tatum, F, Duke
This could wind up being Carmelo Anthony's replacement in New York. Fortunately for them they get a heck of a player at this spot. Tatum flourishes in ISO situations from the wing as well as being able to post up efficiently. He can run the four in small ball lineups as well. The Knicks need youth and Tatum could produce well right away.
Pick: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona
Dirk Nowitzki can't play forever, so this is a good spot to potentially draft his replacement. Ironically here it's with Markkanen, who plays similarly to Dirk. An exceptional perimeter shooter Lauri fits the mold of the new modern power forward. The rest of his game will take some developing, but why not let Nowitzki take this kid under his wing?
10) Sacramento Kings
Pick: OG Anunoby, SF, Indiana
Anunoby is a big and athletic wing that really exploded on the scene last year before going down with injury. The talent is there for him to make it in the NBA. He shoots well from three and plays well around the rim. With Rudy Gay likely gone, this is a player well suited to be his replacement.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville
The days of the Hornets playing Nicolas Batum as a two guard need to end. Charlotte needs an actual two guard alongside Kemba Walker. Louisville's Donovan Mitchell seems to be a good fit. The sophomore was fantastic last season. He is absurdly athletic and shot 35% from three last season. Even if Mitchell doesn't end up starting, he'd at least bring some depth at the position.
12) Detroit Pistons
Pick: Frank Ntilikina, PG, France
Widely viewed as the best international prospect in this draft class, Ntilikina offers more variety than other high ranked international point guards in the past. He has a proven three point shot and utilizes pick and roll masterfully. For Detroit, with Reggie Jackson's future currently a mystery, Ntilikina could offer a fresh start for them and finally get some of those young guys moving.
13) Denver Nuggets
Pick: Zach Collins, PF, Gonzaga
The Nuggets have a rising star in Nikola Jokic, but adding an athletic big body aside him may be what's best for Denver here. Zach Collins didn't get that much of an opportunity to show his talents at Gonzaga in his one season there, but he looked well enough to be a lottery pick. He has an NBA body with great footwork around the rim. He knows how to body up and grab rebounds as well, making for a well rounded power forward prospect.
14) Miami Heat
Pick: TJ Leaf, PF, UCLA
The power forward position has been a bit of a wild card since Chris Bosh's tragic retirement. A good fit potentially could be TJ Leaf. With a very solid jump shot from both midrange and three and an soft touch around the rim Leaf offers a lot of upside offensively.
Pick: Jarrett Allen, PF/C, Texas
The acquisition of Jusuf Nurkic was an absolute game changer for the Portland Trail Blazers; one that propelled them to the postseason. Portland still needs another big next to Nurkic in order to really take that next step. A good fit could be Jarrett Allen. His upside is tremendous and could fair extremely well as a Trail Blazer.
16) Chicago Bulls
Pick: Terrance Ferguson, SG, Australia
The Bulls need some kind of perimeter shooting in the worst possible way. A good fit would be Terrance Ferguson. A very lengthy two guard, Ferguson excels in transition and is one of the better spot up shooters in this draft. Also has potential to be a solid perimeter defender. At this point Chicago can't afford to pass up on a good three point shooter if they can get it.
17) Milwaukee Bucks
Pick: Frank Mason, PG, Kansas
Frank Mason deserves to be a first-round pick. His game is simply phenomenal. The team perhaps best suited to make it happen may the Milwaukee Bucks. It's potentially a perfect fit, with the Bucks needing a knockdown shooter at the point guard position to compliment the Greek Freak.
18) Indiana Pacers
Pick: Luke Kennard, G, Duke
The Pacers can't really afford to continue starting Monta Ellis at two and the free agency decision of point guard Jeff Teague is an apparent mystery. Indiana needs to cash in on a good guard prospect here. Duke's Luke Kennard is potentially the perfect fit. A knockdown three point shooter, exceptional ball handler, potential as a playmaker, this is a player the Pacers need to compliment Myles Turner and Paul George.
19) Atlanta Hawks
Pick: Ivan Rabb, PF, California
Whether it's right now or a few years in the future, the Hawks are going to need to replace Paul Millsap. A good option is Cal's Ivan Rabb. A versatile four with tremendous upside, Rabb could be an excellent fit in the Hawks' system alongside Dennis Schroder and company.
20) Portland Trail Blazers
Pick: Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina
Portland doesn't have much going at the three spot aside from Al Farouq-Aminu. This opens up a possibility for drafting ACC Player of the Year Justin Jackson. A scoring small forward with an exceptional jump shot and effective floater as well, Jackson could provide an extra spark for a still growing Trail Blazers team.
Pick: Isaiah Hartenstein, PF, Germany
Russell Westbrook needs as much help as he can get, and a guy like Hartenstein could be a nice fit at the four spot. Very versatile game with a big body and good athleticism, Hartenstein makes for a good international prospect similar to Andrei Kirilenko.
22) Brooklyn Nets
Pick: Justin Patton, PF/C, Creighton
Brooklyn will take whatever they can get at this point. Justin Patton is an intriguing big man prospect that, if developed correctly, has a high ceiling offensively. There's no real pressure to excel right away with the Nets, so Patton would have the leisure of playing without much pressure of expectations.
23) Toronto Raptors
Pick: Bam Adebayo, PF/C, Kentucky
With all the questions pertaining the Toronto Raptors' roster it's hard to tell where they'll really go in the draft. An option is certainly big man with Serge Ibaka set to be a free agent and Bam Adebayo is a potential fit. A strong big body with potential on his jump shot, there's tons of value with Adebayo at 23.
24) Utah Jazz
Pick: John Collins, PF, Wake Forest
With Joe Ingles set to be a free agent the Jazz could use extra depth down low. Collins lacks versatility but his effectiveness in the post is hard to pass on. Is an exceptional rebounder and considering the improvement he made over the span of two years in college he can only continue to get better.
25) Orlando Magic
Pick: Rodions Kurucs, SF, Barcelona
The Magic could use more help on the wing, making the Latvian small forward a possible pick here. This team isn't going anywhere soon, so it doesn't hurt to pick a player that could turn out well in a few years.
26) Portland Trail Blazers
Pick: Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA
Never hurts to have depth down low, and for Portland this is a player that could turn out well if given the opportunity. He has a long ways to go but he is a talent worth investing in. Anigbogu has a strong upper body and 7'6" wingspan, giving him excellent physical upside.
27) Brooklyn Nets
Pick: Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky
Diallo played the right cards in order to enroll early at Kentucky as a high school senior, where he would practice with the team for the latter half of the season. Now he is likely to have his name kept in the NBA Draft. Originally a top ten talent in the class of 2017, Diallo has a ton of upside which the Nets could use in their backcourt. Absurdly athletic with an improving jump shot, Diallo has the tools necessary to really succeed in the NBA.
28) Los Angeles Lakers
Pick: Harry Giles, PF/C, Duke
The Lakers still very much need more talent down low. Giles is an obvious risk because of his leg injuries beforehand, but at 28 it may be a risk that Los Angeles may be willing to take. If it turns out perfectly, the Lakers have an immensely talented big man to put right next to all the young talent they already have.
Pick: Juwan Evans, PG, Oklahoma State
As the Tony Parker era approaches it's end in San Antonio, the Spurs search for a point guard should commence very soon. One possible option is in the draft, and Juwan Evans would be an excellent pick. He fits the bill for what the Spurs are all about, and would surely fit right in.
30) Utah Jazz
Pick: Dwayne Bacon, SG, Florida State
Backcourt depth would be a good way to go for the Jazz, especially at the two guard spot. Bacon is an athletic prescience with a developing perimeter jumper. He has good value at 30, and with how good Utah's developmental department has been in recent years the potential for Bacon is there.