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There is no certainty of where the potential Kentucky Wildcats draftees could end up, which should make for some intrigue and excitement on draft night.
There have already been some fireworks with the Boston Celtics trading the first overall pick to Philadelphia for the #3 pick and a future 1st rounder.
The Sixers will almost assuredly take Markelle Fultz, the star guard out of Washington with the first pick. After that, almost anything could happen.
The Lakers seem to be deciding between Lonzo Ball and Josh Jackson, but De’Aaron Fox was impressive in workouts with the Lakers also.
The Celtics at the third spot are a wildcard. They could make a pick (most believe they prefer Jackson or Duke forward Jayson Tatum) but they could trade the pick as well.
As for the Kentucky guys, Fox’s range seems to be between 2-5. I have a hard time seeing him fall past Sacramento at 5. The Kings seem to really like Fox, and there have been rumors that they want to trade up to get him.
Malik Monk is a little more of a wildcard than Fox. He will likely fall between 5-10. He doesn’t seem to be on the Lakers radar at 2, or the Celtics at 3. Phoenix is pretty well set at the shooting guard spot with former Wildcat Devin Booker, but at each spot from 5-10, there’s a potential fit for Monk with the Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and then the Kings again at 10.
Edrice “Bam” Adebayo has seen his draft stock fluctuate. There has been some interest from Charlotte at #11 after some impressive pre-draft workouts, but some mocks project him going more toward the end of the round. I think 11 is probably the highest that Bam would go, but look for him to come off the board around the middle of the round.
From there, Kentucky could potentially see one or two players have their name called in the second round. Derek Willis has drawn some interest during workouts and could see a team with multiple second-round picks (such as the Boston Celtics) take a chance on a 6’9 shooter who has shown improvement in rebounding.
Isaiah Briscoe was not thought to be among the 60 names called during the draft, but some reports state that the former Wildcat guard has fared well in workouts. Like Willis, it is far from certain that a team takes him in the second round, but not out of the realm of possibility.
Willis, Briscoe, Dominique Hawkins, and Issac Humphries are expected to make summer league teams, even if they aren’t drafted.
With one major trade already down and several teams uncertain of their plans, draft night should be an interesting night to follow.
How to watch 2017 NBA Draft
Time: Thursday, July 22, 7 p.m. ET
Place: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
TV: ESPN
Online: WatchESPN
Full draft order:
1. Philadelphia 76ers (from Celtics via Nets)
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Boston Celtics (from 76ers via Kings)
4. Phoenix Suns
5. Sacramento Kings (from 76ers)
6. Orlando Magic
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
8. New York Knicks
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Sacramento Kings (from Pelicans)
12. Detroit Pistons
13. Denver Nuggets
14. Miami Heat
16. Chicago Bulls
17. Milwaukee Bucks
18. Indiana Pacers
19. Atlanta Hawks
20. Portland Trail Blazers (from Grizzlies)
22. Brooklyn Nets (from Wizards)
23. Toronto Raptors (from Clippers)
24. Utah Jazz
25. Orlando Magic (from Raptors)
26. Portland Trail Blazers (from Cavaliers)
27. Brooklyn Nets (from Celtics) - Nets will reportedly trade pick to Lakers
28. L.A. Lakers (from Rockets)
30. Utah Jazz (from Warriors)
31. Atlanta Hawks (from Nets)
32. Phoenix Suns
33. Orlando Magic (from Lakers)
34. Sacramento Kings (from 76ers via Pelicans)
35. Orlando Magic
36. Philadelphia 76ers (From Knicks via Jazz and Raptors)
37. Boston Celtics (from Wolves via Suns)
38. Chicago Bulls (from Kings via Cavaliers)
39. Philadelphia 76ers (from Mavericks)
40. New Orleans Pelicans
41. Charlotte Hornets
42. Utah Jazz (from Pistons)
43. Houston Rockets (from Nuggets)
44. New York Knicks (from Bulls)
45. Houston Rockets (from Trail Blazers)
46. Philadelphia 76ers (from Heat via Hawks)
47. Indiana Pacers
48. Milwaukee Bucks
49. Denver Nuggets (from Grizzlies via Thunder)
50. Philadelphia 76ers (from Hawks)
51. Denver Nuggets (from Thunder)
52. Washington Wizards
53. Boston Celtics (from Cavaliers)
54. Phoenix Suns (from Raptors
55. Utah Jazz
56. Boston Celtics (from Clippers)
57. Brooklyn Nets (from Celtics)
58. New York Knicks (from Rockets)
59. San Antonio Spurs
60. Atlanta Hawks (from Warriors via 76ers and Jazz)