Fansided

2017 NBA Mock Draft: Fultz to Celtics, Ball to Lakers after lottery

By Chris Stone

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
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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Jan 21, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots a three point shot in the second half of their game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots a three point shot in the second half of their game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Luke Kennard at The Step Back.

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16

Luke Kennard

SG, Duke

Draft status: In with an agent

The Chicago Bulls have been sending odd signals about what their future looks like with the front office suggesting that bringing back Rajon Rondo is a high probability. While the Bulls made the playoffs this year and were pushing the Boston Celtics until the Rondo injury, building around non-shooters does not seem like the best path forward. Instead, pairing shooters with Jimmy Butler seems like an optimal path. It’s also a path that makes Duke’s Luke Kennard an optimal fit.

Kennard averaged 22.0 points per 40 minutes last season with a 63.0 true shooting percentage. He made 43.8 percent of his 3-pointers as a sophomore on a high volume of attempts and has a jump shot that should translate to the NBA. Kennard also has some sneaky secondary creator potential because of his ability to run pick-and-roll. He is a capable passer and his jumper off the dribble is one of the best in the class.

Defensively, there’s work to be done. Kennard isn’t an elite athlete and doesn’t have good length, but he should be able to develop into a competent team defender who can take away angles.

Learn more about Luke Kennard at The Step Back.