2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 24: Time to randomize the lottery!
By Chris Stone
Lauri Markkanen
PF/C, Arizona
Draft status: In with an agent
This is the Sacramento Kings’ second top 10 pick and it comes via the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the deadline deal for DeMarcus Cousins. While the Kings already have several bigs on their roster, none of them are quite like Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen, a 7-foot sharpshooter.
The Finland native made 42.3 percent of his 3-pointers this season while taking 5.7 3s per 40 minutes. He can shoot it coming off of screens, on the catch and even off the dribble. Markkanen also shot it well from the free throw line. In short, he’s probably the best shooting big man prospect that we’ve ever seen.
The reason that Markkanen isn’t higher on draft boards is that he struggles defensively. He can keep pace with guards on the perimeter for a few strides, but isn’t switchable and doesn’t do much to protect the rim.
Even with those struggles, shooting from big men is so valuable that Markkanen will be worthwhile selection in the lottery. He will help invert the floor and open up driving lanes for guards while being a scoring threat on his own. If he can develop a bit more of a driving game off the bounce, watch out.