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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 30
Next
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) handles the ball against Troy Trojans forward DeVon Walker (25) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) handles the ball against Troy Trojans forward DeVon Walker (25) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Jayson Tatum at The Step Back.

" >
4

Jayson Tatum

SF/PF, Duke

Draft status: In with an agent

As the only team to fall more than one spot in the draft order, the Phoenix Suns were probably the biggest loser on lottery night. The good news is that with the way the top of the draft is expected to go, Phoenix should be able to land either Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum at No. 4 and help fill a position of need on its roster. Tatum is the pick here with Jackson off the board to Philadelphia.

Tatum lags behind Jackson in terms of his play-making ability for his teammates, but there is potential there and it will be paramount that he develop it in order to reach his ceiling. The 19-year old is a good passer who can distribute when he wants to, but he often gets sucked into isolation play from the mid-post. If Tatum can become more willing to distribute out of those post ups, he’ll be a versatile offensive threat.

The concern in bringing Tatum to Phoenix is the potential that he’ll take away possessions from Devin Booker because of his preference to be a ball-dominant wing. If Tatum falls into the trap of prior isolation scorers, he’ll be a much more difficult prospect to build a team around long term.

Learn more about Jayson Tatum at The Step Back.