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2017 NBA Mock Draft: What if the Lakers don’t take Lonzo Ball?

By Chris Stone

Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 2, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder during the third quarter in game one of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder during the third quarter in game one of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Jazz 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Anzejs Pasecniks at The Step Back.

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Anzejs Pasecniks

C, Gran Canaria

Much like the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Utah Jazz could really use some depth to help bolster their bench lineups when their starting center takes a seat. Gran Canaria’s Anzejs Pasecniks could help fill that role.

Pasecniks is a 7-foot-2 center with the ability to handle his own on the defense end. He’s not going to be an elite rim protector like Rudy Gobert, but he has decent length and should at least provide resistance against opposing offenses in the paint. He has a solid 4.6 percent block rate this season. Pasecniks also moves well laterally, giving a head coach more options for defending pick-and-rolls on the perimeter.

The 21-year old can at least provide a pick-and-roll dive man on the offensive end where he shows nice footwork and an ability to get into space. Pasecniks could eventually expand his offensive game away from the paint, but he’s a few years away from that being a consistent weapon. He took just 18 3-pointers in 2016-17. Nonetheless, the big man has been highly efficient this season as he’s posted a 66.5 true shooting percentage mainly on the back of elite scoring around the rim.

Learn more about Anzejs Pasecniks at The Step Back.