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

By Chris Stone | Apr 27, 2017

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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Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All-American forward Terrance Ferguson dunks during the McDonalds All-American Powerade Jamfest at the Chicago Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Terrance Ferguson

SG/SF, Adelaide

Draft status: Automatically eligible

The Indiana Pacers season of suffering has come to an end after they were swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, the focus will shift to 2017-18 and the looming free agency of superstar Paul George. If Indiana is unable to get George to commit to re-signing with the team, then the obvious question will be whether or not the front office will move him before he can leave for free. For now, though, the Pacers have to plan ahead and that might mean taking a swing on a wing with elite athleticism and intriguing upside.

Terrance Ferguson was a five-star prospect coming out of high school who originally committed to play for the Arizona Wildcats, but ultimately chose to head overseas and spend a season in Australia. The 18-year old struggled there. He averaged just 4.6 points per game while only making 31.3 percent of his 3-point attempts. For a prospect who is supposedly supposed to be a 3-and-D talent, that won’t be good enough to make it in the NBA. However, Ferguson was a better shooter in high school and should be able to ultimately figure it out.

Defensively, Ferguson has nice upside because of his athleticism and length. He’s 6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and has the physical size to guard either wing spot. He didn’t create much statistical value in Australia, but hopefully that comes. Ferguson is a big risk, but with some nice reward.