2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 27: The final randomized lottery
By Chris Stone
Jonathan Isaac
SF/PF, Florida State
Draft status: In with an agent
The Boston Celtics have been patient in waiting out their turn in the Eastern Conference. In reality, no team is going to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers until LeBron James significantly declines, so the strategy makes sense. The Celtics could take two strategies with this pick. They could snag Jayson Tatum and hope he develops into a primary initiator from the wing, but Tatum would occupy a significant number of offensive possessions and that may not make sense for Boston assuming they plan to bring back Isaiah Thomas. The other option is to go with Jonathan Isaac, a 6-foot-11 combo forward who has some upside, but projects best as an elite role-player.
Isaac could develop into more than that if his ability to create improves dramatically, but he seems destined to be a spot up shooter who can attack close outs and use his length to finish at the rim. Isaac made 34.8 percent of his 3s this season and only shot 78.0 percent from the foul line. There’s no guarantee he’ll be an elite shooter and certainly no guarantee he’ll initiate offense.
However, he may be an elite defender and be one quickly if he can add some strength to his frame. Isaac averaged 2.3 blocks and 1.8 steals per 40 minutes as a freshman. He has lateral quickness to guard on the perimeter and can handle himself protecting the rim from the weak side. A forward rotation of Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown and Jonathan Isaac could potentially be really tough to score on.