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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 27: The final randomized lottery

By Chris Stone

Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Charlie Moore (13) attempts to defend against Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of the game at Haas Pavilion. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 69-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Charlie Moore (13) attempts to defend against Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of the game at Haas Pavilion. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 69-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) dunks the ball during the second half of the game against Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) dunks the ball during the second half of the game against Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Lauri Markkanen at The Step Back.

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10

Lauri Markkanen

PF, Arizona

Lottery odds: 1.1 percent

Draft status: In with an agent

The Sacramento Kings have a lot of bigs on their roster even after offloading Demarcus Cousins for this draft pick and Buddy Hield around the trade deadline, but none of those bigs are like Arizona 7-footer Lauri Markkanen. Heck, there’s not really a big man in the NBA like Markkanen.

The 19-year old is the top 7-foot shooter prospect arguably in draft history. Markkanen made 42.3 percent of his 3-pointers this season on a pretty high volume, with very few other floor spaces on the roster and while knocking it down at the free throw line. Yes, there are plenty of spot up shooting 7-footers in the modern NBA — it’s been an outgrowth of the game in recent years — but, again, none of them are like the Arizona product. Markkanen has the ability to run off of screens, pull up off the dribble and run out in transition in addition to playing in those normal catch and shoot situations out of ball screens. With enough creativity, he could be a dangerous offensive weapon.

Figuring out how to get something of Markkanen defensively, especially if he plays center, will be the challenge. He’s a near zero as a rim protector, but he can rebound the ball and slide on the perimeter a bit. Given what he could bring offensively, it’s worth it for a team to find him a role.

Learn more about Lauri Markkanen at The Step Back.