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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 12: The Lakers keep their pick

By Chris Stone

Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Charlie Moore (13) attempts to defend against Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of the game at Haas Pavilion. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 69-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Charlie Moore (13) attempts to defend against Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of the game at Haas Pavilion. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 69-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Maine Black Bears guard Ilker Er (21) in the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Maine Black Bears guard Ilker Er (21) in the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Jayson Tatum at The Step Back.

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Jayson Tatum

SF, Duke

Having a player who can put points on the board whether at the foul line or with a made field goal is an important part of developing a winning NBA franchise. That’s what teams will hopefully get when they select Duke’s Jayson Tatum.

The 6-foot-8 wing has long been billed as this draft class’ best wing scorer. At Duke, he is averaging 22.0 points per 40 minutes and has shown a propensity for getting to the foul line whenever he’s needed to, drawing 5.7 fouls per 40 minutes, per KenPom. Tatum likes to operate out of isolations in the mid-post, either backing opponents down or facing up before he attacks.

The concern with him as a prospect is his relative inefficiency when it comes to knocking down shots. Tatum’s love of the mid-range game is itself inefficient, but add in his 29.5 percent shooting from behind the 3-point arc and the concern becomes more real. For him to be his best, he’ll need to improve at actually making the shots he finds the space to take.

On the plus side, Tatum has proven more effective on the defensive end as expected. He’s averaging 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes with the Blue Devils this season and has shown himself capable of switching onto other positions when necessary.

Learn more about Jayson Tatum at The Step Back.

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