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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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Dennis Smith
Jan 23, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Mark Gottfried talks with guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) on the sidelines in the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Dennis Smith Jr. at The Step Back.

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5

Dennis Smith Jr.

PG, North Carolina State

Lottery odds: 11.9 percent

Draft status: In with an agent

This is the fun result of the Sacramento Kings winning the lottery, but having to swap picks with the Philadelphia 76ers (hence the lottery odds of this pick being 11.9 percent as it belongs to Philadelphia). Honestly, while losing out on the first pick would be a miserable feeling, landing a top five pick would be a nice consolation prize and it would allow the Kings to grab a point guard who could potentially develop into their lead ball-handler of the future.

North Carolina State’s Dennis Smith Jr. put up big numbers on a horrible team this season. While the Wolfpack were projected to be much better than they finished, the pieces never really fit and they fired their head coach mid-way through the season. Smith, though, has plenty of talent. He is a high volume guy off the dribble who needs to refine his shot selection in order to be great at it. He can also get to the rim at will and take advantage of a floor that is spaced by shooters. Those are important traits for the modern point guard.

Smith also has his questions. His jumper is good, but not great and he probably won’t add much defensively unless he magically decides to flip a switch and exert more effort. Still, the potential to snag a lead guard here is too much to pass up.

Learn more about Dennis Smith Jr. at The Step Back.