2017 NBA Mock Draft: The best choice each team can make
Chris Stone
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) reacts during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Our latest NBA mock draft is here to tell each team their best choice
The day after the 2017 NBA Draft, analysts across the internet will offer their grades for each of the selections made the night before. Well, we figured we might as well get a head start on things, so with this week’s edition of the mock draft, we’ve identified the best choices for each team at their pick. All of these choices are subjective and made with no preference for rumors linking certain players to certain franchises. In theory, though, the result should be a mock draft that earns every team an “A” in our grades the next morning.
Here’s how things shook out.
Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) reacts during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) dribbles the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) looks to pass the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the second half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after making a three point shot against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) has his shot blocked by Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the second half of the game at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) shoots a three point shot over Washington Huskies guard David Crisp (1) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavili. Arizona Wildcats defeated Washington Huskies 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) dunks the ball over Chattanooga Mocs forward Chuck Ester (0) during the second half in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) dribbles the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) shoots a three point shot against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Duke defeated Wake 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) reacts against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots over Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Steve Vasturia (32) in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) dunks against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first half at the Frank Erwin Center. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) drives to the basket defended by Iowa State Cyclones forward Darrell Bowie (10) during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cyclones won 96-84. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) goes up for a shot against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) dunks against Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Josh Perkins (13) in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Steppig/NCAA Photos/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Rhode Island Rams at Golden 1 Center. The Rams won 84-72. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All-American forward Terrance Ferguson dunks during the McDonalds All-American Powerade Jamfest at the Chicago Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) and forward Harry Giles (1) react after a Duke score during the second half of their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) shoots a free throw during the first half against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Derrick White (21) during the first half against the Xavier Musketeers at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) laughs during practice for the 2017 Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after scoring a basket and getting fouled against the Temple Owls during the second half at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated Temple, 78-57. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) shoots the ball over Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Keyshawn Woods (1) during the second half at the Carrier Dome. The Orange won 81-76. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Jordan Bell (1) dunks ahead of Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) celebrates during the first half of the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-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
Chris Stone
A Kansas transplant living in Washington DC, I primarily write about college basketball and the NBA Draft.
