2017 NBA Mock Draft: Fultz to Celtics, Ball to Lakers after lottery
By Chris Stone
Josh Jackson
SF, Kansas
Given that Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball seems likely to be the first two picks, the 2017 NBA Draft really starts at No. 3 with the Philadelphia 76ers. For all of the potentially awesome outcomes for Philadelphia on Tuesday night, this one feels like the worst in terms of the difficulty of the choice that the front office will have to make.
Kentucky’s Malik Monk has a strong case given how well he would fit next to Ben Simmons with Simmons as the primary ball-handler, but this seems just out of range for the Wildcats’ guard. If the Sixers are intent on landing Monk, they should try to trade down and collect some additional assets on the way.
If they do make the pick, Philadelphia should swing for the fences and take the best available player. That’s Kansas wing Josh Jackson. The 6-foot-8 swingman is an understandably awkward fit next to Simmons if his jump shot doesn’t come along, but if it does, he’s a two-way monster. Jackson is already a secondary creator who can make plays against moving defenses and he should quickly develop into a versatile defender given his size.
If Sam Hinkie were making this pick, we could be more confident that Philadelphia would take the best player available, but with the new front office in charge, there’s more uncertainty.