2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 21: Malik Monk to the Sixers

This will likely seem like an odd selection for a team that drafted Marquette’s Henry Ellenson with the No. 18 pick in 2016, but it’s also an odd spot in the draft where simply taking the best player available makes the most sense. The late lottery and middle of the first round are packed with big men and teams who don’t necessarily need them. Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen at No. 11 — a pick that would be seen as a slight fall for him — is too good to pass up.

Markkanen is an elite shooter and not just for a big man. He finished the season shooting 42.3 percent from behind the 3-point arc on over four attempts per game. He also has an 83.5 free throw percentage to back up his shooting credentials. Markkanen is capable of pulling up off the catch, working in pick-and-pop and even coming off of screens. He is also developing his ability to attack off the dribble, which would give him the ability to beat close outs more consistently. That combination of skills will make Markkanen a very difficult matchup at the next level.

The concerns about the 19-year old center around his performance on the defensive end. While he moves his feet well, it’s likely that Markkanen may often be tasked with playing as the lone big man in an NBA that is downsizing and that could be a problem. Because he possesses neither great length or athleticism, Markkanen struggles some on the defensive boards and especially protecting the rim.

Learn more about Lauri Markkanen at The Step Back.