2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 26: The Timberwolves’ young core improves
By Chris Stone
New order, new destinations. This is our latest mock 2017 NBA Draft.
The 2017 NBA Draft is drawing nearer and as has become custom around these parts, we’ve randomized the lottery once again to have some fun. This week, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the big winners of the Markelle Fultz sweepstakes. Minnesota’s rise to No. 1 created some interesting shifts throughout the rest of the lottery and gave us a good chance to look at how some prospects might look in different places.
Here’s our latest NBA mock draft.
Markelle Fultz
PG, Washington
Draft status: In with an agent
Approximately one out of every 20 times, the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to win the NBA Draft lottery and have an opportunity to add the best player available in the 2017 class to a young core that already features the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. That seems like something worth preparing for in the lead up to lottery night as the Timberwolves could quickly improve one of the most intriguing rosters in the league.
Landing the No. 1 pick might hasten the departure of Ricky Rubio and could put Kris Dunn on the back burner — although that doesn’t seem like a horrible loss — as the top available prospect in this class is a point guard. Washington’s Markelle Fultz is a potential game-changer, though. He and Towns would form arguably the best young duo in the league with Wiggins operating as a third option who can put points on the board.
Fultz is already well-prepared to be a lead guard. His pick-and-roll offense is terrific in large part because he is a comfortable scorer at all three levels. Fultz can get to the basket with a variety of creative dribble moves, hit mid-range jumpers off the dribble and is capable of pulling up from behind the 3-point arc. If Minnesota lands Fultz, the rest of the league should be on notice.