2017 NBA Mock Draft: Fultz to Celtics, Ball to Lakers after lottery
By Chris Stone
Isaiah Hartenstein
C, Zalgiris
The Utah Jazz had success with another big man from Europe translating to the NBA in Rudy Gobert, so why not saddle them with another one here at pick No. 24? In all seriousness, 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein would bring a different look for the Jazz off the bench that could help them survive in the minutes that Gobert is off the floor.
The Oregon-born prospect is a unique offensive talent because of his ability to play from the perimeter at his size. Unlike Lauri Markkanen, for example, Hartenstein is better operating with the ball in his hands, attacking off the dribble against defenders who aren’t used to defending that type of action. He’s an improving passer on the move who should be able to set up teammates more consistently in time and he has the ability to get to the rim already. Hartenstein is a confident 3-point shooter as well, but he needs to improve his accuracy in order to make it a more viable weapon.
Defensively, Hartenstein is about as far from Gobert as it gets. He doesn’t measure well in terms of being a center and his rim protection at Zalgiris is almost non-existent. Utah will hope that his lateral mobility on the perimeter is sufficient to make up for his lack of interior player.