Joint NBA Mock Draft with NBA Scouting Live and the Ridin’ the Pine Podcast Crew

We’re days away from the NBA Draft.  Some things have changed, as rumors have swirled concerning people’s draft strategies.  

As you may have heard, the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers have either just finalized, or are in the process of finalizing the trade of dealing the first overall pick for the third overall pick, in which Markelle Fultz will be going to Philadelphia 76ers.

But we decided to change up the mock draft format, shake things up.  I was inspired by the old Usenet mock drafts on the web that encouraged more people to participate, so I wanted to make this more inclusive, so that you get to see picks from a lot of different perspectives, and why they made those picks. 

NBA Scouting Live decided to team up with the Ridin’ the Pine podcast crew and the NBA Thursday Slack team on June 20th, 2017 to create a really interesting mock draft using trades of our own from our timeline.  You can scroll down to see what trades we made from when after the lottery was set to now.  We will also tell you who owned what team, with an explanation of the trades after detailing the picks of the first round.

2017 NBA Mock Draft

2017 NBA Mock Draft First Round Pick by Pick Explanation:

​If you’re confused by the draft order, it’s because we made a lot of trades with each other from when the lottery was settled to on draft day, so it looks drastically different from how it looks in real life.  Here is our mock draft went down, with all of the picks and trades that took place amongst us.  Asterisk (*) is denoted for a pending trade.

1st Round:

  1. Phoenix Suns (from BOS via BKN) – Markelle Fultz, G, Washington

Our take: Great pick here by Phoenix.  Markelle Fultz is in all probability, the best player in this draft, and he may easily be the best bet to end up being a multi-All-Star among players taken in this class.  While in our version, Phoenix did end up giving up Booker and 4 to get the number one overall pick, Fultz could be a prime player for the Suns to build around for the future.

Ashwin’s take: “Markelle Fultz is a hell of a player.”

  1. Los Angeles Lakers – Lonzo Ball, G, UCLA

Our take: Another solid pick.  Lonzo Ball is a world-class playmaker that simply knows how to make everyone else around him better, and he rates as the second best player in this draft. 

  1. Sacramento Kings (from GSW via PHI & SAC) – De’Aaron Fox, G, Kentucky

Our take: This pick was initially traded to Golden State involving Klay Thompson, and then it was dealt away to Sacramento in a pick swap involving the 3rd and 5th overall picks.

​De’Aaron Fox is a very athletic playmaker that has blazing speed, and he could excel as a two-way player in the NBA.  He will need to improve his outside shot, but he is very skilled in all of the other areas, solid pick here.

  1. Boston Celtics (via PHX) – Josh Jackson, F, Kansas

Our take: We were expecting Boston to stay put at 1, but they were fielding numerous offers at the top spot, and they ended up dealing down to get 4 and Devin Booker in our version as they continue to replenish their team.

​Good pick here by Boston, even though they ended up dealing the first overall pick.  Jackson is both a very good player that also fills a need, as his tremendous athleticism and defensive skills should help the Celtics out on the win.  He’ll need to be a more consistent shooter and show that the maturity issues surrounding him are just a thing of the past, but he could be a fill-in-the-blanks type of player that could excel right away.  

  1. Golden State Warriors (from SAC via PHX) – Malik Monk, G, Kentucky

Our take: Some really surprising moves made by Golden State, as they traded away Klay Thompson here to pick Fox at 3, only to deal him to Sacramento in order to take Malik Monk at 5.   But the Warriors also picked up Ben Simmons along the way in our version, and his dynamic playmaking ability could give Golden State newfound advantages going forward.

​It was a controversial decision by Golden State by breaking up their core, but they also made interesting long-term moves.  It’s uncertain if Thompson would re-up with them and stay, and Malik Monk is a terrific shooter that can really score the basketball.  It’s uncertain if Monk is nearly as skilled in the other facets of the game, but he is a solid prospect that has All-Star potential.

  1. Orlando Magic – Jayson Tatum, F, Duke

​Our take: Very good pick here by Orlando.  Jayson Tatum is a solid all-around player that can do a little bit of everything.  He also is actually a very good scorer on isolation plays, so he could be a primary shot creator for them as early as in his rookie season.  

  1. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jonathan Isaac, F-C, Florida State

Our take: Very good selection by the Timberwolves at 7.  Jonathan Isaac may be one of the most intriguing players in this draft.  He is a very athletic big man that can shoot the basketball, and he also is a rangy defensive player that can block shots.  He may not be quite ready for the league right away, but he possesses a tremendous amount of talent and potential to succeed in the NBA.

  1. New York Knicks – Dennis Smith Jr., G, NC State

Our take: Solid pick by the Knicks here at 8.  Dennis Smith Jr. is a very talented playmaker that has tremendous athleticism, and he has a lot of upside.  He has been plagued with inconsistent play, and some have even questioned his effort at times, but Smith is a really skilled offensive player that has the talent to be an All-Star in this league.

  1. Dallas Mavericks – Frank Ntilikina, G, SIG Strasbourg (France)

Our take: Very good pick by Dallas here at 9.  Ntilikina is a speedy playmaker that has very good size and physical tools at the point guard position, and he is a talented player that can play any style on offense.  He may not be the most consistent player, but he could end up being a solid two-way player in the NBA.

  1. Sacramento Kings (from NOP) – Lauri Markkanen, F-C, Arizona

Our take: A solid, sensible pick by Sacramento here at this spot.  Lauri Markkanen is a terrific shooting big man, and he may rival Monk as perhaps the best shooter in this draft.  He is not an elite athlete, but he can ably create his own shot, and he is a very good scorer in the post.  He will really help Sacramento on offense, and Markkanen could likely be a solid pro in this league.

  1. Charlotte Hornets – Luke Kennard, G-F, Duke

Our take: This pick looks to be a good one made by Charlotte.  Luke Kennard is a gifted offensive player that can really shoot the basketball, and he also is a smart player that passes the ball well.  On the downside, he is not an elite athlete, and he will need to improve his defense considerably. But Charlotte needs shooters, and they may be getting an elite shooter in Kennard. 

  1. Orlando Magic (from DET) – OG Anunoby, F, Indiana

Our take: Orlando made a good value pick by taking the incredibly athletic, but injury-prone combination forward, OG Anunoby.  Anunoby is a very talented player that likely will project to be a solid defender in the NBA, and he also is a strong finisher on offense.  

​There may be questions about his ability to shoot, create his own shot, or stay healthy as he missed the second half of the season due to a knee injury.  But the upside is very intriguing, as Anunoby has the talent to guard the best players, and he has the ability to end up being one of the best players to come out of this draft class.

 

  1. Denver Nuggets – Zach Collins, F-C, Gonzaga

Our take: Good pick made here by Denver.  Zach Collins is an athletic big man that had a terrific NCAA Tournament this year, and he is a skilled offensive player that can score in a variety of ways.  He also is a very good rebounder and shot blocker.  

But he was not actually a starter this year, as he spent the entire season backing up Przemek Karnowski on a really good basketball team.  Whether or not if that matters may be uncertain, but his ability to produce in limited playing time could potentially enable him to thrive in any role in the NBA.

  1. Miami Heat* – Donovan Mitchell, G, Louisville

Our take: This selection was originally poised to go to Oklahoma City, but the trade may have failed to go through as a result of Victor Oladipo’s $84 million extension and the resulting Poison Pill Provision.  So Miami will in all likelihood keep this pick.

​Anyways, it’s actually a rather good pick for Miami, as Mitchell has a lot of skills that are similar to Dion Waiters, an impending free agent.  Donovan Mitchell is a tremendously athletic combo guard that can score and defend, and he can really excel at making plays on fast breaks.  He may be undersized to play the two and he can be inconsistent at times, but he is a very talented player that possesses a very good deal of upside.

  1. Portland Trail Blazers – John Collins, F-C, Wake Forest

Our take: Good pick made here by Portland.  John Collins is a solid inside scorer and rebounder that can do a lot of damage in the paint, and he is a meat and potatoes type of big man that can be a force for a team in the middle.  He will likely need to improve defensively and perhaps add more perimeter skills, but he looks to be a solid fit for Portland at 15.

  1. Chicago Bulls – Justin Jackson, G-F, North Carolina

Our take: Solid pick here made by the Bulls at 16 by selecting Justin Jackson at this spot.  Jackson is a smart, sound position defender that can shut down his opponents on the ball, and he is an athletic swingman that possesses solid shooting skills.  He may not be an exceptional shot creator, but he will fit the Bulls nicely with his ability to shoot and defend on the court.

  1. Phoenix Suns (from MIL via SAC) – T.J. Leaf, F, UCLA

Our take: This pick changed hands a couple of times, and Phoenix ended up making a trade in our version to get T.J. Leaf.  T.J. Leaf is a very skilled offensive player that can score in many different ways, and he also is a good athlete that can make numerous plays above the rim.  He may need to improve his defense, but Leaf may be one of the most skilled combination forwards in this draft.

  1. Indiana Pacers – Terrance Ferguson, G-F, Adelaide (USA)

Our take: With Paul George set to leave either by trade later this off-season or when his contract expires, the Pacers need to plan for the future, so they went for a very athletic wing player that may possess a ton of upside.  Ferguson’s athleticism and ability to shoot could make him at worst, a valuable 3 and D wing. 

  1. Detroit Pistons (from ATL) – Harry Giles, F-C, Duke

Our take: Detroit went with an upside pick, as they are looking to make an impact in the future.  Giles is a very athletic big man that has a considerable deal of potential, as he is a tremendous rebounder, and he has the ability to develop into a solid inside scorer and defender.  

On the downside, he is an oft-injured player that has previously had numerous knee injuries, and he did not play much on a very good Duke team this year.  But still, Giles has a ton of talent, and he could prove to be a solid pick here at 19.

  1. Minnesota Timberwolves (from POR via MEM, DEN & CLE) – Jarrett Allen, F-C, Texas

Our take: This looks to be a solid pick here by the Timberwolves.  Minnesota was thinking big, and they received a good center prospect in Jarrett Allen.  He is a solid low post scorer that can rebound, block shots, and defend.  He has very good size, athleticism, length, and energy.  He could give Minnesota a unique dimension when paired with Karl-Anthony Towns.  

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Jawun Evans, G, Oklahoma State

Our take: This was a good pick here by Oklahoma City.  Evans is a speedy point guard that can get to the lane to either score or dish it out to his teammates, as his ability to create shots for himself and others can be really beneficial.  If his jump shot comes around, he could give the Thunder a nice small-ball option because they could allow Russell Westbrook to play some minutes at the two if they need to.

  1. Sacramento Kings (from PHX via MIL, BKN & WAS) – Ivan Rabb, F-C, California

Our take: This was also a good pick here.  Ivan Rabb is an athletic big man that can really rebound, and he can provide some energy for the Kings in the paint.  He will likely need to add strength, but he could be a solid contributor in the future.

  1. Toronto Raptors (from LAC via MIL) – Frank Mason III, G, Kansas

Our take: This was an interesting, underrated pick made by Toronto at this spot.  Frank Mason III was very productive this past year at Kansas, and he will provide insurance in case if Kyle Lowry leaves for free agency.  Mason’s ability to attack the rim and score in the paint, along with possessing solid foot speed should help him earn steady playing time in the NBA.

  1. Utah Jazz – Isaiah Hartenstein, F-C, Zalgiris (Germany)

Our take: This was an interesting pick made by Utah.  Hartenstein is a very good shooting big man that may likely be one of the best international players taken in this draft.  There is a chance he may need to be stashed for a year or two, but he could develop into a very valuable center in the NBA.

  1. Atlanta Hawks (from ORL via TOR) – Caleb Swanigan, F-C, Purdue

Our take: Very good pick made by Atlanta at 25.  Caleb Swanigan was very productive this year at Purdue, and he is a strong, physical big man that can really rebound the basketball.  He has really developed his jumper this year, and he has made significant strides with his outside shot.  He also passes the ball very well.  He’ll need to improve his defense, but he could likely end up being a solid player in this league.

  1. Los Angeles Clippers (from LAL via POR & CLE) – Justin Patton, F-C, Creighton

Our take: This was an intriguing upside pick here made by the Clippers.  The Clippers made a very controversial decision by swiftly dealing DeAndre Jordan just hours earlier in our version, but they have decided to go all the way in rebuilding mode.

​In doing so, they took a very athletic, but unpolished big man in Justin Patton.  Patton’s tremendous athletic gifts, size, and defensive potential make him an interesting pick up, and he has great hands that allow him to excel as a finisher on offense.  On the other hand, he may be quite raw on offense, as he has trouble consistently creating his own shot to score.  Time will tell how this pans out, but this pick was at the very least, interesting.

  1. Phoenix Suns (from MIL via BKN & BOS) – Semi Ojeleye, F, SMU

Our take: He’s a very athletic combo forward that has solid defensive potential.  He is a strong finisher around the basket and he has shown an improved jump shot.  Ojeleye has had a very good junior season, and he could be a solid role player in the NBA.

  1. Portland Trail Blazers (from LAL via HOU) – Jordan Bell, F-C, Oregon

Our take: This was a very good pick made here by Portland.  Jordan Bell is a very athletic big man that had a tremendous showing in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, and he is a gifted defensive player that possesses terrific shot blocking skills.  Bell also rebounds the ball very well, and he is a good passer for a player his size.  He may need to improve his ability to shoot and score the basketball, but Bell has the makings to be a solid role player in this league.

  1. San Antonio Spurs – Tyler Lydon, F, Syracuse

Our take: This was a good pick here made by San Antonio.  He is an athletic shooter that can play either forward position.  It may be uncertain as to how exactly he fits in defensively.  However, Gregg Popovich employed Matt Bonner for nearly a decade, and he isn’t nearly the same athlete as Lydon.  With the expectation that he would receive great coaching, Lydon could develop into a very valuable role player in the Spurs’ system.

  1. Utah Jazz (from GSW) – Bam Adebayo, F-C, Kentucky

​Our take: This was a very good value pick here for Utah.  Adebayo is a very athletic big man that projects well defensively, especially for the modern NBA, because he’s quick enough to defend pick and rolls.  However, it’s uncertain how well he’d fit with Rudy Gobert.  Still, he could be very valuable as a backup, which could allow them to always keep a very good rim protector on the floor at all times.

2nd Round:

  1. Atlanta Hawks (from BKN) – Derrick White, G, Colorado
  2. Boston Celtics (from PHX) – Sindarius Thornwell, G-F, South Carolina
  3. Orlando Magic (from LAL) – Josh Hart, G-F, Villanova
  4. Phoenix Suns(from SAC via PHI & NOP) – Kobi Simmons, G, Arizona
  5. Detroit Pistons(from ORL) – Melo Trimble, G, Maryland
  6. Philadelphia 76ers(from NYK via UTA & TOR) – Jonah Bolden, F-C, FMP Beograd (Australia)
  7. Atlanta Hawks(from PHX via BOS, MIN & PHX) – Cameron Oliver, F, Nevada
  8. Chicago Bulls(from SAC via CLE)- Kennedy Meeks, C, North Carolina
  9. Philadelphia 76ers(from DAL) – Dwayne Bacon, G-F, Florida State
  10. New Orleans Pelicans– Sterling Brown, G-F, SMU
  11. Charlotte Hornets– Chris Boucher, F-C, Oregon
  12. Utah Jazz(from DET) – Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA
  13. Houston Rockets(from DEN)- Wesley Iwundu, G-F, Kansas State
  14. New York Knicks(from CHI)- Antonius Cleveland, G-F, Southeast Missouri State
  15. Houston Rockets(from POR) – Tyler Dorsey, G, Oregon
  16. Philadelphia 76ers(from MIA via ATL) – Kyle Kuzma, F, Utah
  17. Indiana Pacers– Dillon Brooks, G-F, Oregon
  18. Milwaukee Bucks– Youssoupha Fall, C, Poitiers 86 Basket (Senegal)
  19. Denver Nuggets(from MEM via OKC) – Derrick Walton Jr., G, Michigan
  20. Philadelphia 76ers(from MIA via ATL) – Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Gran Canaria (Latvia)
  21. Denver Nuggets(from MEM via OKC) – Nigel Williams-Goss, G, Gonzaga
  22. Washington Wizards– D.J. Wilson, F-C, Michigan
  23. Atlanta Hawks(from  PHX via BOS & CLE) – Monte Morris, G, Iowa State
  24. Phoenix Suns(from TOR) – L.J. Peak, G-F, Georgetown
  25. Utah Jazz– Frank Jackson, G, Duke
  26. Phoenix Suns(from BOS via LAC) – Thomas Bryant, F-C, Indiana
  27. Brooklyn Nets(from BOS) – Kenan Sipahi, G, Besiktas (Kosovo)
  28. New York Knicks(from HOU) – Rolands Smits, F, Fuenlabrada (Latvia)
  29. San Antonio Spurs– Davon Reed, G-F, Miami (Fl)
  30. Orlando Magic(from ATL via GSW, PHI & UTA) – Marcus Keene, G, Central Michigan

Side Note:

​If you think that our draft order looks weird, you are correct.  The reason for this, is because we took the draft as it was right after the lottery was announced, so as GMs of our teams, we made trades amongst each other in our Slack group.

​Also, for the second round picks, see above, as we will not have explanations for those selections due to time constraints.

Mock Draft Trades:

Trade #1: Three-team trade between Atlanta, Orlando, and Detroit. 

​The Atlanta Hawks receive Elfrid Payton, Terrence Ross, Mario Hezonja, Stephen Zimmerman, and the 25th overall pick. ​

The Orlando Magic get Reggie Jackson, Boban Marjanovic, DeAndre Bembry, Mike Dunleavy, Malcolm Delaney, the 12th overall pick, and the 60th overall pick.  

​The Detroit Pistons receive Dennis Schroder, Nikola Vucevic, the 19th overall pick, the 35th overall pick, and a 2019 2nd round pick from Portland (via Orlando).

Trade #2:  Two-team trade between Boston and Phoenix

The Boston Celtics receive Devin Booker, Leandro Barbosa, the 4th overall pick, and the 32nd overall pick.

The Phoenix Suns get Jaylen Brown, Tyler Zeller, the 1st overall pick, the 37th overall pick, 53rd overall pick, and the 56th overall pick.

Trade #3: Two-team trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland

The Los Angeles Lakers get Festus Ezeli, Shabazz Napier, and the 26th overall pick​

The Portland Trail Blazers get D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance, and the 28th overall pick

Trade #4: Two-team trade between Portland and Minnesota

​The Portland Trail Blazers receive Cole Aldrich

​The Minnesota Timberwolves get Meyers Leonard and the 20th overall pick

Trade #5: Two-team trade between Atlanta and Phoenix

​The Phoenix Suns get Taurean Prince

​The Atlanta Hawks get the 37th and 53rd overall picks

Trade #6: Two-team trade between the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers

​The Los Angeles Lakers get DeAndre Jordan and a 2020 2nd round pick from Cleveland (via LA Clippers).

​The Los Angeles Clippers get Timofey Mosgov, Corey Brewer, and the 26th overall pick.

Trade #7: Two-team trade between the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors

​The Philadelphia 76ers get Klay Thompson

​The Golden State Warriors get Ben Simmons, Gerald Henderson, and the 3rd overall pick.

Trade #8: Two-team trade between Golden State and Sacramento

​The Golden State Warriors get the 5th overall pick.

​The Sacramento Kings get the rights to De’Aaron Fox (3rd overall pick).

Trade #9: Two-team trade between Milwaukee and Sacramento

​Milwaukee would receive: Willie Cauley-Stein, Malachi Richardson, and a 2020 2nd round pick (top-55 protected)

​Sacramento would receive Spencer Hawes and the 17th overall pick

​This is complicated due to Spencer Hawes not having decided yet on whether to accept his player option.  But we have decided that Hawes will indeed opt-in, as Sacramento will send a conditional 2020 2nd round pick under heavy protections to Milwaukee to complete this deal.

Trade #10 (Pending): Two-team trade between Oklahoma City and Miami

​Oklahoma City would receive: Wayne Ellington and the 14th overall pick

Miami would receive: Victor Oladipo

​However, this is complicated by Oladipo’s extension via poison pill provision.  See below for details.​

Trade #11: Two-team trade between Brooklyn and Milwaukee

The Brooklyn Nets get Malcolm Brogdon

​The Milwaukee Bucks get the 22nd overall and 27th overall picks​

Trade #12: Three-team trade between Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Sacramento

​Milwaukee gets Eric Bledsoe

Phoenix gets John Henson, the draft rights to T.J. Leaf, and the 27th and 34th overall picks

​Sacramento gets 22nd overall

Teams:

​Initially, there were 15 participants, and the rules were that the trades had to be legal as defined by NBA rules, and no person could make trades with themselves, even if they had other teams.​

Three others had initially been planning to participate, but dropped out on the last day, so replacement GMs were asked to fill in for them, as this is denoted by the asterisk next to their names.  Those that were given an extra third team were given one deal to act on their moves.  

​In addition, 5 trades were made days before our mock draft, 1 trade took place hours the day of, and five draft-day trades were made, as they are listed in Trades #7-12.  In all, 12 people ended up partaking as general managers in this mock draft.   

​Atlanta Hawks (Alan Lu)

​Boston Celtics (Alan Lu)

Brooklyn Nets (Danny Sear)

Charlotte Hornets (Kim Dao, “KimDizzle”)

Chicago Bulls (Danny Sear*)

​Cleveland Cavaliers (Aaron Graham)

​Dallas Mavericks (Peter Wong)

​Denver Nuggets (Aaron Graham)

​Detroit Pistons (Eric Bette)

​Golden State Warriors (Ian Barrett)

​Houston Rockets (Peter Wong*)

​Indiana Pacers (Richard Lu)

​Los Angeles Clippers (Alan Lu*)

​Los Angeles Lakers (Kim Dao, “KimDizzle”)

Memphis Grizzlies (Peter Wong)

​Miami Heat (Ashwin Kamath, “Ghee”)

​Milwaukee Bucks (Ian Barrett*)

​Minnesota Timberwolves (Ian Barrett)

​New Orleans Pelicans (Kyle Henderson, “Hondo”)

​New York Knicks (Danny Sear)

Oklahoma City Thunder (Kyle Henderson, “Hondo”)

Orlando Magic (Richard Lu)

Philadelphia 76ers (Eric Bette)

Phoenix Suns (Ashwin Kamath, “Ghee”)

​Portland Trail Blazers (Aaron Anderson)

​Sacramento Kings (Andrew Bart)

​San Antonio Spurs (Kyle Henderson, “Hondo”*)

​Toronto Raptors (Andrew Bart)

​Utah Jazz (Aaron Anderson*)

​Washington Wizards (Aaron Anderson)

When the draft happened, picks and trades were made, fast and furious, and there ended up being one potentially illegal trade that ended up slipping through because moves were happening so quickly.  

One Trade that is Under Review:

​1) The Oklahoma City Thunder attempts to trade Victor Oladipo to the Miami Heat for Wayne Ellington and the 14th overall pick.

​On the surface, this looked like a perfectly good deal that was made, but there was one problem.  The tricky thing is, that the Thunder had actually extended Victor Oladipo under the poison pill provision, and the deal actually failed in ESPN’s trade machine.

​That just about sums up the entirety of our (fun but also pretty complicated) 2017 NBA Mock Draft.

Also, feel free to click on the link of the podcast to hear Ridin’ the Pine’s take on our mock draft.  In addition, if you are in the Seattle area, come hang out with us on June 22nd at Atlas for the live mock draft party hosted by Ridin’ the Pine and Fanwide.  

Thank you to everyone who participated, and to all who we met along the way this season.  It’s been a fun ride, and stay tuned for Ridin’ the Pine’s live draft podcast that will take place this Thursday.

​Thanks for stopping by!

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