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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 25: Lakers at No. 1, Knicks at No. 2

By Chris Stone

Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dunks against Colorado Buffaloes forward Tory Miller (14) during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Colorado Buffaloes guard Dominique Collier (15) watches the play at left. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Luke Kennard

SG, Duke

Lottery odds: 0.5 percent

Draft status: In with an agent

Any prospect who was the best player on a roster that included a certain top 10 pick, a preseason National Player of the Year favorite and the No. 1 rated high school recruit has to be pretty good. Duke’s Luke Kennard exploded during his sophomore season, snatching the moniker of “Duke’s best player” from the likes of Jayson Tatum, Grayson Allen and Harry Giles. He averaged 22.0 points per 40 minutes on a 63.0 true shooting percentage while being a sniper from behind the 3-point line. Kennard made 43.8 percent of his 201 3-point attempts this season. His high volume and good free throw shooting suggest that should translate well at the NBA level.

There is some added intrigue surrounding Kennard because of his ability to create his own offense. Kennard scored 1.106 points per possession as the pick-and-roll ball-handler this season, good for ranking in the 97th percentile in college basketball, per Synergy Sports. He also finished in the 74th percentile in isolation scoring. Although Kennard isn’t a super athlete, he’s crafty and has an elite ability to shoot off the dribble, which makes him dangerous.

Kennard may not be much of a defensive playmaker in the NBA and his wingspan isn’t long enough to make him super versatile, but he has the potential to at least be a smart team defender while creating significant value on offense.