2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 25: Lakers at No. 1, Knicks at No. 2
By Chris Stone
Isaiah Hartenstein
C, Zalgiris
This is the first of two first round picks for the Brooklyn Nets. It comes via the Washington Wizards. Isaiah Hartenstein, a 7-foot center who was born in Oregon, but plays overseas is the selection.
Hartenstein has tremendous offensive potential because of his ability to functionally play like a guard at his size. He won’t initiate the offense anytime soon, but he has the ability to pull defenders away from the basket and attack them off the dribble. Hartenstein is a fluid athlete who has decent passing skills, but needs to improve as a decision-maker. Few big men are comfortable guarding on the perimeter full time and Hartenstein can put them in an awkward spot. If he improves as a 3-pointer — right now he takes them often, but doesn’t make them often — then watch out.
On defense, he’s not much of a rim protector and isn’t a killer rebounder. His athleticism and lateral mobility is valuable for defending pick-and-rolls and he might be interesting a switch heavy scheme if he can avoid getting beat by smaller players off the bounce. Don’t expect him to be a traditional shot blocking big man, though.