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NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 14: Markelle Fultz is still no. 1

By Chris Stone

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 15: Rodions Kurucs, #11 of U18 FC Barcelona Lassa in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Championship game between U18 FC Barcelona Lassa v U18 Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade at Mercedes Benz Arena on May 15, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Francesco Richieri/EB via Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 15: Rodions Kurucs, #11 of U18 FC Barcelona Lassa in action during the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Championship game between U18 FC Barcelona Lassa v U18 Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade at Mercedes Benz Arena on May 15, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Francesco Richieri/EB via Getty Images) /
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Rodions Kurucs

SF, Barcelona B

The Atlanta Hawks drafted a pair of wing players in last year’s class, but neither of them have the scoring upside of Rodions Kurucs.

Kurucs, a 6-foot-8 swingman, has impressed with his ability to create his own shot. In 15 games with Barcelona B this season, he’s averaging 9.7 points per contest in 19.8 minutes. He hoists 4.3 3-pointers per game and is converting them at a 34.4 percent clip. That’s a number that will need to improve in order for Kurucs to reach his full offensive potential. Still, he is capable attacking off the dribble, which is a highly valued skill among wing players given that the number of creators from the position is limited.

Defensively, Kurucs has produced some enticing block numbers this season. He’s averaging exactly 1.0 per game with a block rate of 4.9 percent. If he can provide some weak side rim protection it ups his defensive value considerably. Obviously with his size, Kurucs should be able to be a versatile defender once he puts on enough weight.

Kurucs likely won’t be an immediate contributor for Atlanta. He seems like a potential draft-and-stash candidate that would allow the Hawks to see what they have in Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry while getting Kurucs adequate playing time overseas to develop. That feels like the best of both worlds.