2017 NBA Draft Thread

[Kliq]

This is always a fun one and with college hoops right about to start it is time to start looking at some of the top players in the country.

1. Markelle Fultz-Washington-PG-6'4"-195lbs

The draft lacks a consensus number one player but has good depth according to scouts. Fultz is probably as close to a consensus as there is. Really good athlete with great size and length (6'9" wingspan) and projects to be a very good perimeter defender and comes away with a lot of steals. Unselfish player, has great vision and creativity and is as good as a prospect in transition as there is. Was a poor shooter in high school but has appeared to have made strides and has impressed scouts during the Summer camps with his spot-up shooting skill. Not a great one-on-one player in the half-court and struggles with turnovers and often hams it up a bit. Reminds me a bit of John Wall; he isn't as fast as Wall but he is a better shooter than Wall was at this point in his career.

2. Dennis Smith-NC State-PG-6'3"-195lbs

Incredible athlete; nobody is quite like Russell Westbrook but as a prospect Smith is pretty close. He goes zero to sixty extremely well and is a terror in the open court. Capable of ripping down a rebound and immediately launching a fast break with his pure speed and finish with a big jam. He is a tough competitor and that combined with his athleticism make him an intriguing defensive prospect but he is still pretty raw on that end. Poor shooter with bad mechanics, not unheard of for a top PG prospect. I'm really interested in seeing him play at the college level because he really coasted off his athleticism in high school. It wouldn't surprise me if he falls from being a Top-5 pick because he is going to struggle. I could see him developing the way Zach LaVine has.

3. Jayson Tatum-Duke-SF-6'8"-208lbs

Tatum is one of the more polished freshmen players coming into the college season. He is a really skilled scorer in the post and around the mid-range and can make a lot of tough shots. He doesn't really have an outside shot yet but that can be easily developed and his mechanics are reportedly okay. Not really a great leaper but that was said about Jabari Parker and he is one of the best dunkers in the NBA right now so who knows? Not quite as polished as Parker was an all-around offensive player or a rebounder, but has some of those same skills. Probably a better defensive prospect than Parker was at this point, but he can get really lazy at times--something that will likely improve under Coach K.

 

[Sprowl]

Tankathon is back for 2017 with its mock draft:

http://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Currently they rank the top five prospects as

1. Josh Jackson
2. Markelle Fultz
3. Harry Giles
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Ivan Rabb

Dennis Smith shows up at 8.

 

[Kliq]

Tankathon is back for 2017 with its mock draft:

http://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

Currently they rank the top five prospects as

1. Josh Jackson
2. Markelle Fultz
3. Harry Giles
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Ivan Rabb

Dennis Smith shows up at 8.

Yeah those are not my ratings; just the top three on DraftExpress.

 

[amfox1]

DraftExpress lottery picks, as of 11/28 [ESPN rank in brackets]:

1. Markelle Fultz PG (Washington - Freshman) [2] (CJ McCollum comp)
18.5 years old | 6'4" | 195 lbs

2. Dennis Smith PG (N.C. State - Freshman) [4] (Russell Westbrook comp)
19.0 years old | 6'3" | 195 lbs

3. Josh Jackson SF (Kansas - Freshman) [1] (Andrew Wiggins comp)
19.8 years old | 6'8" | 203 lbs

4. Lonzo Ball PG (UCLA - Freshman) [3] (Jason Kidd comp)
19.1 years old | 6'6" | 190 lbs

5. Malik Monk PG/SG (Kentucky - Freshman) [8]
18.8 years old | 6'4" | 185 lbs

6. Jayson Tatum SF (Duke - Freshman) [6] (Danny Granger comp)
18.7 years old | 6'8" | 204 lbs

7. Jonathan Isaac SF (Florida St - Freshman) [7] (Rashard Lewis comp)
19.1 years old | 6'11" | 205 lbs

8. Lauri Markkanen PF (Arizona - Freshman) [11] (Ryan Anderson comp)
19.5 years old | 7'0" | 225 lbs

9. OG Anunoby SF (Indiana - Sophomore) [14]
19.3 years old | 6'8" | 215 lbs

10. De'Aaron Fox PG (Kentucky - Freshman) [13] (John Wall/Dennis Schroeder comps)
18.9 years old | 6'4" | 171 lbs

11. Ivan Rabb PF (California - Sophomore) [12] (Chris Bosh comp)
19.8 years old | 6'10" | 215 lbs

12. Frank Ntilikina PG (Strasbourg - International) [10] (Devin Harris comp)
18.3 years old | 6'5" | 170 lbs

13. Harry Giles PF (Duke - Freshman) [5]
18.6 years old | 6'11" | 222 lbs

14. Miles Bridges SF/PF (Michigan St - Freshman) [9]
18.7 years old | 6'6" | 226 lbs

Both ESPN and DraftExpress have the same top 14 and both have the same top 4. As of today, assuming the lottery results don't change the order, BOS would have the #4 pick.

DAL - Fultz
PHI - Smith
MIN - Ball
BOS - Jackson?

Jayson Tatum makes his season debut tonight.

 

[the moops]

Order would now be DAL, PHI, BOS.

Obviously teams will flop around a bit, but from your list, I can't see MIN taking another PG after taking Dunn.

Really want BOS to grab Jackson. Big fan of what I have seen.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Order would now be DAL, PHI, BOS.

Obviously teams will flop around a bit, but from your list, I can't see MIN taking another PG after taking Dunn.

Really want BOS to grab Jackson. Big fan of what I have seen.

I love Jackson's natural athletic skills, his passing is instinctual and willing, intensity off the charts, and raw ball skills that haven't even touched the surface of their ceiling. He's a can't miss imo.

 

[LondonSox]

I'm not convinced by ball. I haven't seen enough of Smith to know where he is, love love love fultz and love Jackson.
Ball I'm highly dubious as a pro, he seems to be a transition guy and pass first to the extent he's not even ready to shoot on an incoming pass. But above all he can't drive. Like at all. And I can't see that shot plus nothing else being an elite talent. He's young it's early, but he's the top guy I'm not particularly interested in

 

[Cellar-Door]

If they win the lottery I would love for the Celtics to draft Fultz and move Thomas for a froncourt player.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I'm not convinced by ball. I haven't seen enough of Smith to know where he is, love love love fultz and love Jackson.
Ball I'm highly dubious as a pro, he seems to be a transition guy and pass first to the extent he's not even ready to shoot on an incoming pass. But above all he can't drive. Like at all. And I can't see that shot plus nothing else being an elite talent. He's young it's early, but he's the top guy I'm not particularly interested in

Ball is such a pure shooter with NBA range on a quick release I can see him being a Mike Bibby-type. He's a really good college player already. I agree his upside is limited but I feel his floor is fairly high.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

If they win the lottery I would love for the Celtics to draft Fultz and move Thomas for a froncourt player.

Fultz could be a good compliment as an Avery replacement. I view him more as a 2 at the next level. I've caught up on clips and one full game.......he doesn't appear to have any inclination to be an initiator. This kid was born to score the ball. He's a finisher.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Ball is such a pure shooter with NBA range on a quick release I can see him being a Mike Bibby-type. He's a really good college player already. I agree his upside is limited but I feel his floor is fairly high.

I hate his jumper release with a fiery passion, it's working in college (well at least against bad teams), but I'm not convinced it works in the NBA he take a lot of stepback, fall-away 30 footers to make space for it. I also don't see him beating enough guys off the dribble in the NBA to threaten defenders.
He has great size and court vision, but if I was a GM no way I take him top 5.

Fultz could be a good compliment as an Avery replacement. I view him more as a 2 at the next level. I've caught up on clips and one full game.......he doesn't appear to have any inclination to be an initiator. This kid was born to score the ball. He's a finisher.

I think he has the potential to be a Westbrook type PG, part of my comment though is I think that to win a title IT4 can't be a starter on your team, he's gone from just a below-average defender last year to a horrendous one this year as teams have made a bigger effort to exploit him. If they can cash his great offensive run for an upgrade at the 3/4 or 5 and replace his slashing, go to the basket style with Fultz I'd be ecstatic.

 

[chilidawg]

Anyone in this draft strike you as better than Simmons?

 

[LondonSox]

Anyone in this draft strike you as better than Simmons?

No one as unusual a skill set as him (size passing rebounding, potential point forward or even point guard) but let's not forget his shot and scoring is still a question. I think he'd be top 2 at this point.

Interesting re fultz as a 2 hrb , I think he's a great fit for the sixers and that doesn't change that.

 

[EL Jeffe]

I'm curious what people think of Bam Adebayo. Draft Express and Chad Ford both have him at #16, which seems ridiculously low off my sample size of one viewing (against UCLA). His combo of physical skills and motor suggests that his floor is pretty high. His shooting stroke at the line looked fine, which means the skill level should eventually get there. He's nowhere near the stretch 4 that people crave these days, but I see a really valuable Big there. What's the knock on the guy to put him at #16? He's bigger, stronger and more physical than the other Bigs ahead of him on the lists and the skill level looks at least average.

 

[nighthob]

Fultz could be a good compliment as an Avery replacement. I view him more as a 2 at the next level. I've caught up on clips and one full game.......he doesn't appear to have any inclination to be an initiator. This kid was born to score the ball. He's a finisher.

I view him as a combo guard, a la Westbrook, who's going to be better with the ball in his hands than playing off someone. And he also allows Boston to use Bradley/Rozier as scoring guards that defend the PG spot.

 

[chilidawg]

I'm curious what people think of Bam Adebayo. Draft Express and Chad Ford both have him at #16, which seems ridiculously low off my sample size of one viewing (against UCLA). His combo of physical skills and motor suggests that his floor is pretty high. His shooting stroke at the line looked fine, which means the skill level should eventually get there. He's nowhere near the stretch 4 that people crave these days, but I see a really valuable Big there. What's the knock on the guy to put him at #16? He's bigger, stronger and more physical than the other Bigs ahead of him on the lists and the skill level looks at least average.

I'd say his current skill level is below average, but there does look like there is potential for it to be at least average. I was most impressed by his ability to jump out and guard on the perimeter, which is key for a big man these days. How high he goes depends on what you think the skills upside is. I'd agree with you that it's higher than 16.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I'm curious what people think of Bam Adebayo. Draft Express and Chad Ford both have him at #16, which seems ridiculously low off my sample size of one viewing (against UCLA). His combo of physical skills and motor suggests that his floor is pretty high. His shooting stroke at the line looked fine, which means the skill level should eventually get there. He's nowhere near the stretch 4 that people crave these days, but I see a really valuable Big there. What's the knock on the guy to put him at #16? He's bigger, stronger and more physical than the other Bigs ahead of him on the lists and the skill level looks at least average.

He's up to 15, 10th on nbadraft. He's raw in terms of skill, and a lot of people think he's basically a C, which at 6-9 with no stretch ability and not much of a passer is limiting at the NBA level. So there is probably a worry that his upside is limited.

NBADraft has him as the 2nd big off the board after Giles (a total freak who if he hadn't had knee surgery again would probably be the #1 pick). DX also has him behind Rabb (bit more length, has a year of college production, more of an offensive threat), and Markkanen (7 footer, very skilled, clearest NBA fit as a stretch 4/5).

It's also super early, the freshmen have all only played a handful of games, mostly against really soft non-conference opponents.

 

[chilidawg]

Jarrett Allen is off the DE 2017 mock and on the 2018. From what I've heard that's probably a good move for him.

Saw the second half of the Duke game last night and was very impressed with Tatum. Think a more polished and offensively skilled Jaylen Brown.

 

[tims4wins]

Yeah Tatum was really impressive

 

[rhopkins2323]

I'm surprised no love/mention of Jonathan Isaac. If you are looking for a player comp, it's Brandon Ingram from last year. Ingram might be a little longer, but Isaac might be a little more fluid/athletic. It will be interesting to see how Isaac does once he gets to play ACC competition, but he's been a lot more efficient scoring that Ingram thus far.

Ingram per 40 minutes - 20.0/7.8/2.3 while shooting 44%
Isaac per 40 minutes - 23.7/11.4/1.8 while shooting 58%

In the event Cs miss on Fultz, Jackson, Tatum, you have to at least consider Isaac as a top 5 guy. Not many 6'10 guys with his skill set and efficiency.

I hate comparisons to HOF players when they played in college, but for knowledge sake, Durant's per 40 line was 28.8/12.4/1.5 while shooting 47%

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Malik Monk, damn!

 

[oumbi]

And for those you who might be wondering why JZ is orgasmic about Malik Monk, you may watch this. It is one heck of a performance by Monk.

 

[LondonSox]

What do the draft guys think of monk. Obviously that scoring outburst is impressive, but its mainly jumpers, long ones. Obviously that's an ever more appreciated skill, but I don't typically get a huge love affair with guys who pull up for long jumpers as their main (or only) weapon.

I think he's a lottery guy, top 10, right now but I'm in the UK until the new year so I don't get to watch games as I'd like.

 

[DJnVa]

Harry Giles and his huge knee brace made his debut yesterday.

 

[DannyDarwinism]

Yeah Tatum was really impressive

Here's a good in-depth look as Tatum as a prospect: http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/12/21/14032790/future-sixers-jayson-tatum-is-a-star-in-the-making-w-gifs

Frank Ntilikina had another great showing at the U18s today- 23 points on 11 FGAs, 9 assists and 5 steals. The international scouts I follow on Twitter love him- smart and athletic two-way PG with good size who will be one of the youngest guys in the draft.

Fultz certainly seems to be the cream of the crop, but there are lots of consolation prizes to get excited about this year.

 

[Big John]

Josh Hart (currently slotted at #44 by Draft Express and at #51 by NBAdraft.net) will likely be better than 90% of the players taken ahead of him.

 

[Kliq]

Josh Hart (currently slotted at #44 by Draft Express and at #51 by NBAdraft.net) will likely be better than 90% of the players taken ahead of him.

Yeah that is definitely an imperfection in the draft evaluation in that people sometimes ignore really good players just because they are over 21. Draymond is a perfect example of that. I remember watching Sean Kilpatrick at Cincinnati and thinking he could be a real NBA player and I think he went undrafted.

 

[nighthob]

I like Josh, but he won't be a top ten talent from this pool. And that's not an insult, this draft is really good. But Hart clearly has a long NBA career in front of him as a Courtney Lee type role player.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Yeah that is definitely an imperfection in the draft evaluation in that people sometimes ignore really good players just because they are over 21. Draymond is a perfect example of that. I remember watching Sean Kilpatrick at Cincinnati and thinking he could be a real NBA player and I think he went undrafted.

Malcolm Brogdon is another perfect example of this. He was a 6-6 lockdown defender in college with the ability to develop into a spot-up 3-point shooter in his league. Now he's making an impact as a rookie off the bench.

 

[Clears Cleaver]

How does hamidou diallo fit into this draft class?

 

[DannyDarwinism]

After spending much of last year hoping the Celtics wouldn't draft a one-dimensional, undersized SG, I find myself pretty excited by Malik Monk. Granted, I'm judging him mainly off of seeing him against UNC and Ole Miss, so I'm seeing him at his best, but with his ability to create his own shot, his athleticism and his ruthlessness in transition, he's in a different class of prospect than old man Buddy or Jamal Murray.

I love Fultz, Jackson and Tatum as the top three. I like Ball more than most here, and while I hope it doesn't fall to him, I could get excited about Anunoby. I need to see more of Giles, Dennis Smith Jr. and Isaac. Markkanen looks so, so good on offense, but everyone hates his defense, though I want to believe that a guy that fluid and with feet that quick can become an effective interior defender, even if he'll never be a shot-blocker.

I love the top of this draft. Happy New Year, Billy King.

 

[Drocca]

What do the draft guys think of monk. Obviously that scoring outburst is impressive, but its mainly jumpers, long ones. Obviously that's an ever more appreciated skill, but I don't typically get a huge love affair with guys who pull up for long jumpers as their main (or only) weapon.

I think he's a lottery guy, top 10, right now but I'm in the UK until the new year so I don't get to watch games as I'd like.

At this point in the season he's my favorite prospect. In the Carolina game, yes, he kept making absurdly awesome, contested jump shots. But he can drive and score. I think he can score in any conceivable way.

Anyone have a read or opinion on his defense? God, I love his game.

 

[Drocca]

After spending much of last year hoping the Celtics wouldn't draft a one-dimensional, undersized SG, I find myself pretty excited by Malik Monk. Granted, I'm judging him mainly off of seeing him against UNC and Ole Miss, so I'm seeing him at his best, but with his ability to create his own shot, his athleticism and his ruthlessness in transition, he's in a different class of prospect than old man Buddy or Jamal Murray.

I love Fultz, Jackson and Tatum as the top three. I like Ball more than most here, and while I hope it doesn't fall to him, I could get excited about Anunoby. I need to see more of Giles, Dennis Smith Jr. and Isaac. Markkanen looks so, so good on offense, but everyone hates his defense, though I want to believe that a guy that fluid and with feet that quick can become an effective interior defender, even if he'll never be a shot-blocker.

I love the top of this draft. Happy New Year, Billy King.

It is so hard to get a read on Dennis Smith right now. I've been to a couple NC State games (the tickets were free, that's my excuse. Obviously I enjoy basketball so you'd ask "Why would you ruin something you love by going to see Mark Gotfried coach?" Well, the answer is I have young kids. I want them to go to basketball games and get into it. But when they go to basketball games they want to eat all the ice cream and dance and be silly and awesome. I love it. Unfortunately, their father does not have the same love of this up and down nonstop kid duty when he is worshipping at the Dean E. Smith center. And so, I, and God kill me if this ends up backfiring, take them to NC State 'games')

Here's the issue: NC State is pretty good, they have an interesting mix of players. And Gotfried doesn't know how to coach so he just lets them play which, on the positive, means you get to see quite a few super athletic plays a game with the up and down pace. [Note: you could say the same thing about Roy Williams. Due to the First Amendment you can say anything you like].

But their schedule has been so atrocious that we have learned nothing about Dennis Smith. He's fast. He can steal the ball from really shitty players. He can dunk and make three point shots. But until we get to ACC play and he has to play basketball (and this is no fault of his own, Gotfried believes in scheduling terrible schools to beef up the non-conference resume and then counts on a .500 ACC record to propel them to the tournament) it's hard to know what we've got.

 

[DannyDarwinism]

It is so hard to get a read on Dennis Smith right now. I've been to a couple NC State games (the tickets were free, that's my excuse. Obviously I enjoy basketball so you'd ask "Why would you ruin something you love by going to see Mark Gotfried coach?" Well, the answer is I have young kids. I want them to go to basketball games and get into it. But when they go to basketball games they want to eat all the ice cream and dance and be silly and awesome. I love it. Unfortunately, their father does not have the same love of this up and down nonstop kid duty when he is worshipping at the Dean E. Smith center. And so, I, and God kill me if this ends up backfiring, take them to NC State 'games')

Here's the issue: NC State is pretty good, they have an interesting mix of players. And Gotfried doesn't know how to coach so he just lets them play which, on the positive, means you get to see quite a few super athletic plays a game with the up and down pace. [Note: you could say the same thing about Roy Williams. Due to the First Amendment you can say anything you like].

But their schedule has been so atrocious that we have learned nothing about Dennis Smith. He's fast. He can steal the ball from really shitty players. He can dunk and make three point shots. But until we get to ACC play and he has to play basketball (and this is no fault of his own, Gotfried believes in scheduling terrible schools to beef up the non-conference resume and then counts on a .500 ACC record to propel them to the tournament) it's hard to know what we've got.

That makes me wish I lived in a decent area for college hoops. The boy isn't particularly interested in basketball, but he does love ice cream and running around being goofy. The girl has lightning quick reflexes honed from defending against an older brother constantly trying to snatch her shit, so I'm holding out hope she'll develop a slick handle but I'd settle for her just sleeping through the night. Maybe I'll take them to see Christ the King in a couple of years.

Yeah, I'll definitely be watching Smith next week when he faces a big test against your guys.

 

[Drocca]

That makes me wish I lived in a decent area for college hoops. The boy isn't particularly interested in basketball, but he does love ice cream and running around being goofy. The girl has lightning quick reflexes honed from defending against an older brother constantly trying to snatch her shit, so I'm holding out hope she'll develop a slick handle but I'd settle for her just sleeping through the night. Maybe I'll take them to see Christ the King in a couple of years.

Yeah, I'll definitely be watching Smith next week when he faces a big test against your guys.

I am really excited about that game. First, State games at Carolina bring out an awesome crowd at UNC (which is rare, the crowd sucks, it's due to a lot of factors that are not the scope of this thread). But the match-up between Smith and Joel Berry is going to be tremendous. I'm biased but I think Berry has been a Top 3 PG in the nation this year. The team is entirely different with him off the floor as well. He is an excellent, seasoned defender and if Smith can score with any ease or regularity on him then I will be really impressed. I don't expect Smith to stop Berry, not because Berry is unstoppable, but because I really haven't seen Smith play any defense other than, as I said, slapping the ball away from much lesser players.*

Living in the triangle is great for hoops.

*And it doesn't mean anything to Smith's pro prospects whether he can guard Berry right now. I remember Felton just destroying Rondo in college. The difference was that Felton had a championship team around him and was more experienced. It was not going to necessarily mean that Felton would have a better NBA career than Rondo.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

while looking for something else, thought I'd add to the Monk hype.

 

[sox311]

Monk is playing out of his mind and a talented shooter. But is he the next Archie Goodwin? Jodie Meeks? His best case scenario is a less athletic Zach Lavine. Would you take that over the upside of Fultz? No way. Jackson, Ball, Tatum, Smith? He is right there with Giles and Isaac I would say as of now.

 

[ZMart100]

The Monk comp that comes to my mind is pre-injury Eric Gordon, the version of Eric Gordon who was the centerpiece of the CP3 to LAC deal. If anything, Monk might be slightly more athletic.

 

[Big John]

I love everything about Fultz except his dribble. It's too high, and if he wants to be an elite pg, he has to improve his handle.

Everyone is ga ga over the top 6 in this draft, but I see value in some of the tall guys currently slotted from 7-16, e.g. Issac, Markkanen, Rabb, Giles (knee brace and all), Adebayo and Bolden. I also love what I've seen of Ntilikina, who may be the best pure pg in this draft-- plus he's 6-5 with a 6-11 wingspan.

 

[amfox1]

Chad Ford Mock 2.0 (with full quote on BOS pick)

1. Philadelphia 76ers - Markelle Fultz, Washington
2. Boston Celtics (via Nets) - Lonzo Ball, UCLA

I'm not sure there's a Celtics fan left on the planet who doesn't know that Boston owns the rights to the Nets' draft picks for the next two years. Last year, picking in the Nets' position produced Jaylen Brown. This year, the reward might be much higher.

Point guard isn't an immediate need for Boston, but Ball is such a terrific prospect that I don't think it will matter much to GM Danny Ainge. His combination of size, playmaking, shooting and sizzle doesn't come along very often.

The Celtics can always move other pieces around. Ball would immediately be the highest-ceiling player on the roster.

3. Phoenix Suns - Josh Jackson, Kansas
4. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers) - Malik Monk, Kentucky
5. Miami Heat - Dennis Smith, NC State
6. Dallas Mavericks - Frank Ntilikina, France
7. Orlando Magic - Jayson Tatum, Duke
8. Minnesota Timberwolves - Harry Giles, Duke
9. New Orleans Pelicans - Jonathan Isaac, FSU
10. Sacramento Kings - De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky
11. Denver Nuggets - Miles Bridges, Michigan State
12. New York Knicks - OG Anunoby, Indiana
13. Indiana Pacers - Lauri Markkanen, Arizona
14. Chicago Bulls - Terrance Ferguson, Australia
15. Portland Trail Blazers - T.J. Leaf, UCLA
16. Washington Wizards - Robert Williams, Texas A&M
17. Detroit Pistons - Jarrett Allen, Texas
18. Atlanta Hawks - Ivan Rabb, Cal
19. Milwaukee Bucks - Edrice 'Bam' Adebayo, Kentucky
20. Charlotte Hornets - Luke Kennard, Duke
21. Denver Nuggets (via Grizzlies) - Rodions Kurucs, Latvia
22. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tyler Lydon, Syracuse
23. Utah Jazz - Marques Bolden, Duke
24. Brooklyn Nets (via Celtics) - Omer Yurtseven, NC State
25. Toronto Raptors (via Clippers) - Isaiah Hartenstein, Germany
26. Houston Rockets - Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State
27. Toronto Raptors - Ike Anigbogu, UCLA
28. Cleveland Cavaliers - Tony Bradley, North Carolina
29. San Antonio Spurs - Josh Hart, Villanova
30. Utah Jazz (via Warriors) - Kostja Mushidi, Belgium

Four from Duke, three from Kentucky and UCLA. Five players playing internationally. No Grayson Allen.

 

[sox311]

No Grayson Allen.

I for one would welcome him on the Celtics bench. RJ Hunter was a first round pick and was projected at times to be a top 15 pick. Allen has twice his talent.

 

[CreedBratton]

What's the deal with Rabb? Wasn't he projected too 5-10 last year? Looks crappier or just that deep?

 

[DannyDarwinism]

Josh Jackson is going to be so good. He's showing everything tonight. With his defense, he'll always make a positive impact, plus he's so smart on both ends. His jumper actually looks ok, and with his competitiveness, I'm willing to bet that he'll make it respectable. I guess I'm still on the Fultz bandwagon, but the thought of Jackson and Jaylen wreaking havoc on opposing wings for the next 10 years is pretty enticing.

 

[Soxfan in Fla]

all

 

[tbrep]

If that mock draft pans out for the Sixers, they're gonna be fun to watch next season with Fultz, Monk, Embiid and Simmons.

 

[cardiacs]

They're fun to watch now imo as a celtics fan

 

[CreedBratton]

Josh Jackson is going to be so good. He's showing everything tonight. With his defense, he'll always make a positive impact, plus he's so smart on both ends. His jumper actually looks ok, and with his competitiveness, I'm willing to bet that he'll make it respectable. I guess I'm still on the Fultz bandwagon, but the thought of Jackson and Jaylen wreaking havoc on opposing wings for the next 10 years is pretty enticing.

Ringer just had an article about how his shooting is all time bad. I'd rather fultz right now.

 

[amfox1]

What's the deal with Rabb? Wasn't he projected too 5-10 last year? Looks crappier or just that deep?

Was projected in the 8-14 range last year. Probably in the 12-18 range now. This year's draft is deeper (9-10 vs. 4-5).

 

[CreedBratton]

Was projected in the 8-14 range last year. Probably in the 12-18 range now. This year's draft is deeper (9-10 vs. 4-5).

He be nice if celts had the 16 pick again this year!

 

[Drocca]

Was projected in the 8-14 range last year. Probably in the 12-18 range now. This year's draft is deeper (9-10 vs. 4-5).

In addition, he is more of a known quantity and will continue to be as the season progresses. Brown was very smart to leave when he did last year, regardless of how good a player he ends up becoming. Just staying that extra year is worth 4-5 spots lower in the draft as teams, rightly or wrongly, pull the trigger on riskier assets.