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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 24: Time to randomize the lottery!

By Chris Stone

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) takes a shot during warm-ups before the start of a game against the UCLA Bruins 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) takes a shot during warm-ups before the start of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) drives against Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Marc-Eddy Norelia (25) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) drives against Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Marc-Eddy Norelia (25) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Jonathan Isaac at The Step Back.

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Jonathan Isaac

SF/PF, Florida State

Lottery odds: 5.3 percent

Draft status: In with an agent

This is where things start to get really interesting in our simulation. The best player on the board is UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, but the Minnesota Timberwolves spent their top five pick last season on another point guard, Kris Dunn. Ball is a far superior prospect to Dunn and a potential game-changing offensive piece, but it’s hard to see Tom Thibodeau going back to the well for another point guard. So, Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac heads to Minnesota instead. Isaac is an excellent prospect in his own right with some intriguing upside and a great defensive floor that should help shore up the Timberwolves woes on that end.

Drafting Isaac would allow Thibodeau to slide Karl-Anthony Towns into the center role with the Florida State freshman filling in at power forward. His length will make him a disruptive defender at that spot. This season, Isaac averaged 2.3 blocks and 1.8 steals per 40 minutes for the Seminoles, so he can help Towns protect the rim and get Ricky Rubio out in transition. Offensively, Isaac has a good bit of room to grow and a lot of his outcome may depend on how well his body adapts to adding additional weight. Right now, he’s built to be a role player who can move the ball, knock down 3s and occasionally attack in a straight line, but if he gets more explosiveness when he puts on strength, the sky’s the limit.

Learn more about Jonathan Isaac at The Step Back.