Bleacher Report's most recent NBA mock draft, which was established before training camp began, has received some final touching up before the 2016-17 season officially tips off. After swapping picks with the Brooklyn Nets, Danny Ainge will do what he's consistently done as Boston Celtics general manager—ignore fit, NBA-readiness and position to draft the No. 1 talent on his board. North Carolina State's Dennis Smith Jr. and Duke's Harry Giles III could earn consideration, but the Phoenix Suns opt for Josh Jackson, whose textbook fit tips the scales. The Philadelphia 76ers have been patient with their point guard search, passing on Emmanuel Mudiay, Kris Dunn, Dante Exum and Marcus Smart in recent drafts. With Fultz and Smith off the board, the Sacramento Kings will look at Frank Ntilikina to eventually take over the offense from Darren Collison. A third knee surgery before 19 years old takes Harry Giles III out of the top-three discussion at this juncture. But unless doctors discover damage that could have long-term effects, the Denver Nuggets won't pass on elite talent. Behind Fultz, Jayson Tatum is a good bet to finish second among one-and-done standouts in scoring, which will be his forte through college and the pros. Between Ivan Rabb's physical tools/athleticism and productivity through two years at California, teams should wind up viewing him as one of the draft's safer options. The Los Angeles Lakers give their pick to the Philadelphia 76ers if it lands outside the top three, which is what we're assuming in this scenario. The Dallas Mavericks will take the best available player, and assuming De'Aaron Fox falls in that tier, the fact he's a point guard could be the tie-breaker. A popular breakout candidate after turning heads during last year's NCAA tournament, OG Anunoby looks poised to rise with athleticism, motor and coveted three-and-D potential. The Washington Wizards add youth and upside with Marques Bolden to their uninspiring frontcourt. Back on the floor after taking it easy over the summer with a back injury, Isaiah Hartenstein should emerge as one of the more sought-after 2017 overseas prospects. Unmatched explosiveness, nonstop energy and a powerful body separate Edrice Adebayo. Wherever he goes, from Kentucky to the NBA, coaches will value his ability to convert catches around the basket into easy, unguardable finishes. Coming from Finland, Lauri Markkanen doesn't get the same recognition as other projected one-and-done freshmen. But his potential has been brewing, with Markkanen making more and more noise each summer at the European Championships, which he led this summer in scoring. Tyler Lydon wasn't on NBA radars out of high school, but his athleticism, three-point shooting and role-player potential caught scouts' attention in 2015-16. It's been an encouraging start in Australia for Terrance Ferguson, who's finished with double figures in scoring during two of four games. Jarrett Allen won't win any style awards, but NBA teams will covet his 7'0" size, 7'5 ½" wingspan, mobility and motor. The NBA draft has been waiting for Jonathan Jeanne's 7'2" size, mobility and ball skills, which scouts have seen over the years during FIBA play and his time as a member of the developmental team for Le Mans Sarthe Basket. Lonzo Ball's passing should carry him into the 2017 first round. His vision is second to none, and at 6'6", he has the size to operate over the defense. Jaron Blossomgame will be the first senior taken in June after what should be another highly productive season. Malik Monk's elite athleticism and perimeter scoring will create buzz all season long at Kentucky. We'll be talking about Wenyen Gabriel's energy more than anything else; He lacks strength but not motor. Gabriel runs the floor, crashes the glass and cleans up inside with a nose for the ball. Already playing significant minutes with Mega Leks, Kostja Mushidi should draw NBA attention, even if the efficiency isn't there. A strong National Player of the Year candidate, Grayson Allen appears on track for another productive season. Expectations are high for Edmond Sumner. Scouts will want to see him convert the freshman flashes into consistent, every-game occurrences. Rawle Alkins combines power and quickness with dangerous scoring ability. He'll make an impact right away by knocking down jumpers and putting pressure on both the defense and rim. A much bigger role at Kansas should help Carlton Bragg Jr. earn some NBA looks. Devonte' Graham isn't flashy, but he possesses enough size (6'2"), quickness, toughness and skill to come off looking like an NBA-caliber reserve. Dwayne Bacon averaged 15.8 points as a freshman, but his game still has holes to fill. The appeal to V.J. Beachem isn't a mystery. He's hit at least 41 percent of his three-pointers in back-to-back seasons. A shooting specialist with a pure stroke, this a 6'8" 2-guard (or wing) knocks down jumpers by pulling up, spotting up and running off screens.
Throw in California's Ivan Rabb and a handful of other breakout candidates, and this projected group offers both star power and depth.
We used Las Vegas championship odds provided by Odds Shark to determine the draft order, with the biggest underdog (Brooklyn Nets, whose pick goes to the Boston Celtics) getting the first pick. Personal opinion was used as a tiebreaker for teams with the same odds.
A scoring ball-handler and willing playmaker, his game is built for the lead guard role in today's NBA. Fultz, who's 6'4" and can bounce above the rim, combines advanced skills, terrific passing instincts and a good head on his shoulders.
He's the total package who'll back up all the potential with volume production at Washington. Bank on D'Angelo Russell comparisons and similar stats to his one season at Ohio State.
Flashes of explosive transition play, ball-handling, passing and shot-making portend offensive versatility. But Jackson's defense and competitive streak should earn just as much praise from scouts and coaches.
As long as his jumper doesn't set off any alarms, Jackson's well-rounded game and off-the-floor reputation should win him fans in every NBA organization.
Between the two, we could be looking at the top one-and-done lead guards since Kyrie Irving.
Assuming the bounce returns in Smith's knee following last summer's ACL tear, world-class quickness and explosiveness—along with developing skills and disruptive defense—should carry him toward the top of NBA draft boards.
The Sixers will have two lottery picks, but they won't be able to land a star point guard with their second, so they'll prioritize and target one first.
He's been efficient early on, playing 15.7 minutes for Strasbourg and averaging 6.8 points on 13-of-21 shooting and 4-of-10 from three.
Ntilikina's size, defense and unselfishness remind me of Dante Exum. As long as the Frenchman continues to look more comfortable shooting with range, he'll finish the year behind Fultz and Smith as the next-best option at guard.
It's scary to think what he'll look like if the skills catch up to everything else.
At No. 5, the potential reward is worth the risk for the Nuggets, who could be looking for a new power forward by 2017-18, anyway.
As appealing as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's defense and energy have become, the Charlotte Hornets could use another offensive weapon in the middle of the lineup.
Ideally, Tatum develops into a small-ball 4 with enough size and too much quickness/skill for traditional power forwards to defend. He still must improve his three-point range to fit alongside Kidd-Gilchrist, however.
Either way, Charlotte takes Tatum at No. 6 as the top available talent after what should be a productive freshman season at Duke.
But Rabb's mid-range jumper has shown signs, as has his footwork in the post.
The Orlando Magic could look at Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox to replace Elfrid Payton, but similar scoring and shooting limitations could turn them off. They'll add even more frontcourt depth with Rabb, an attractive low-risk prospect once all the high-upside names are taken.
Jonathan Isaac will turn heads early with 6'10" size and the skill set of a 2-guard or wing. He's unpolished and likely to remind scouts often with bad misses and turnovers, but his face-up ball skills are unusually advanced for a player his height.
An impressive ball-handler with three-point range, versatile shot-making ability and defensive potential, Isaac offers top-five-caliber upside to a Sixers lineup that lists Robert Covington and Hollis Thompson at small forward.
Flashes of pull-up shooting, floaters and crafty drives highlight scoring potential as well, but playmaking at both ends of the floor will represent Fox's bread and butter.
With Williams entering the final year of his deal, look for the Mavericks to have eyes on this Texas native who's expected to run Kentucky's offense.
He doesn't project as a creator or scorer, but flashes of shooting, driving and transition aptitude suggest there is still offensive value to unlock.
The New Orleans Pelicans could chase the upside with Anunoby, whose workload will skyrocket in 2016-17.
But flashes of spin moves and high-percentage jump hooks hint at scoring potential to develop.
In terms of value, selling himself as a rim protector would help compensate for his limited shooting range and lack of versatility.
He's flashed three-point range and post moves, as well as the ability to face up and attack slower bigs. Keeping the ball moving will be a point of emphasis from coaches, but Hartenstein can actually deliver advanced passes.
Though diminishing concerns over his defense and awareness will be priorities, talent alone should be enough to draw late-lottery interest.
Unfortunately, Adebayo isn't particularly skilled and doesn't project as a shot-creator or a shot-maker. Unless he suddenly develops post moves or shooting touch, his moneymakers will be bounce and motor that translate to high-percentage offense and activity at the rim.
Other than Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat's big men include Derrick Williams, Josh McRoberts and Udonis Haslem. Adebayo will add some life and depth to one of the league's shallower frontcourts.
With the ability to attack closeouts via drives, as well as convert playing back to the basket, Markkanen's offensive game looks tailor-made for today's NBA.
But he doesn't offer much rim protection, and his rebounding has been underwhelming—weaknesses that drop his value from early to late lottery.
Don't count on volume scoring, he'll still draw interest based on his particular skill set and fit in today's league, which values frontcourt players who stretch the floor.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo playing some guard in Milwaukee, the Bucks grab Ferguson in the mid-first round for depth at the wing positions.
Allen isn't explosive and lacks both touch and the ability to create his own shot. He'll be viewed more as a safer rotation big than a high-upside prospect.
Jeanne could fall into the boom-or-bust category, but some general manager should be willing to gamble in hopes of landing a unique, unmatchable weapon.
Even if Emmanuel Mudiay takes a step forward during his sophomore year in Denver, the Nuggets' bench could use another playmaker, considering none of their 2-guards project as big assist men.
But he's already 23 years old, which raises questions about how much room he has to improve. Despite the explosive athleticism, physical tools and big numbers, there wasn't substantial NBA interest last May.
Tom Thibodeau likes finished products though, so the Minnesota Timberwolves could be an intriguing fit.
At No. 21, the Indiana Pacers could view Monk as both the top available player and a long-term upgrade at the 2 spot.
His final year in high school, we even started to see him comfortably knock down jumpers and put the ball on the floor. He's a first-round talent as long as he doesn't consistently get exposed physically.
Mushidi is clearly a few years away, but that won't stop a team from drafting-and-stashing or chasing the upside.
It's important for Allen to prove last year's 41.7 percent mark from downtown wasn't a fluke. And it wouldn't hurt to duplicate his 3.5 assists per game.
Average size, no mid-range game and poor defense hold Allen's ceiling in check, but his explosive athleticism and shooting should work nicely in an energizer role.
But he'll have to do something about his jumper and last year's 30.1 percent three-point mark; Shaky shooting mechanics suggest improvement won't happen overnight.
Sumner's upside screams lottery, but being labeled a project at the NBA's most competitive position makes him a safer gamble in the 20s.
With a grown-man's body, shot-creating skills and plenty of shooting range, Alkins should find the radar and rise once the season gets going.
Between his finishing ability, rebounding and shooting potential, he looks the part of a pick-and-pop, role-playing big man.
He'll have to improve defensively—Bragg isn't a shot-blocker and struggled to avoid fouling as a freshman. Otherwise, he'll want to expand his post game to become a tougher one-on-one scorer.
He'll be 22 years old by draft night, but late-first-round teams won't be worrying about upside.
But you can't teach 6'7", 221-pound size or athleticism. His physical tools and offensive game mirror Arron Afflalo's.
Bacon is a scorer, strong around the basket and skilled facing up. He can create and make shots from all over the floor.
Considering he isn't a shot-creator or playmaker, he'd be in better shape stock-wise if he played better defense his junior year.
0 nhận xét: