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NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 17: Portland uses three first round picks

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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Feb 22, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) drives to the basket past Syracuse Orange guard Frank Howard (1) during the first half at the Carrier Dome. The Orange won 78-75. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) drives to the basket past Syracuse Orange guard Frank Howard (1) during the first half at the Carrier Dome. The Orange won 78-75. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Luke Kennard at The Step Back.

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Luke Kennard

SG, Duke

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired this pick from the Denver Nuggets as part of the Mason Plumlee-Jusuf Nurkic swap with the Denver Nuggets. It originally belonged to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Duke’s Luke Kennard is a smooth scoring guard who can get buckets from any level of the floor. Kennard is a knock down outside shooter. He’s made 45.4 percent of his 3-point attempts this season while taking 6.1 3s per 40 minutes. Kennard also has an old man game inside the arc that allows him to score there with regularity. He’s not overly athletic, so he relies on shot fakes and counter moves to create space. He also has a nice floater that helps him finish over length. Kennard’s well-rounded offensive game should be a nice fit in Portland where he can provide the team with a spark plug scoring option off the bench and potentially develop into a starting piece.

His defense leaves plenty to be desired. At 6-foot-5, he can guard wings, but he lacks the athleticism to be a great defender. In the NBA, Kennard will rely on his high basketball IQ to play angles and cut off space from opposing players.

Learn more about Luke Kennard at The Step Back.

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