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

With Jayson Tatum off the board, both Jonathan Isaac and Malik Monk are reasonable options for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Isaac, though, is simply a better prospect because of his well-rounded game and defensive floor.

The 6-foot-11 forward is one of the best defenders in the class. He rebounds well, protects the rim from the weak side and uses his length well to create turnovers. Pairing Isaac with Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt would create a solid combination to take away easy looks for opposing teams at the rim and create plenty of opportunities to switch defensively.

There is certainly a contingent of analysts who would suggest that Isaac has the highest ceiling of the three wings remaining at No. 6 for the Orlando Magic given his defensive floor, but there are some uncertainties surrounding his offensive game. Isaac rarely had to create offense for himself in college, for starters, and his 3-point shot is far from an assured skill. While it’s possible that the jumper will come along nicely, it’s hard to imagine a world where he takes an outlier leap in creation ability, which is why Tatum came off the board to the Magic.

Learn more about Jonathan Isaac at The Step Back.