2017 NBA Mock Draft: The worst picks every team can make
Chris Stone
Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) looks on form the bench during a game against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA Draft is next week, so here’s a mock draft of the worst decisions every team could make on draft night
The 2017 NBA Draft is just around the corner and with the draft comes the post-draft grades. In last week’s mock draft, we looked at how every team in the league can earn an “A” in those rankings.
This week, we’ve done something a little different and tried to sort out the worst decision that each team could make on draft night given the players reasonably available at their draft slot. In order to make things as realistic as possible, we’ve tried to keep prospects within their normal draft range. Shipping Markelle Fultz to the second round would have been too easy.
Without further ado, here’s a look at how every team can mess up their draft.
Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) looks on form the bench during a game against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-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
Nov 23, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) goes up for a dunk against the Cleveland State Vikings in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Cleveland State 101-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-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
Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) looks on against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) boxes out against Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Marc-Eddy Norelia (25) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) reacts during the second half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona guard Allonzo Trier (35) and Arizona forward Lauri Markkanen (10) react after losing to Xavier during the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Pitt Panthers at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-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
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) shoots against Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) in the first half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Silvio O. Conte Forum. The Louisville Cardinals won 90-67. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) shoots over Maryland Terrapins forward Justin Jackson (21) during the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All American guard Terrance Ferguson (6) poses for photos on portrait day at the Marriott Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) dunks the ball during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) points toward a teammate during a game against the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels at T-Mobile Arena. Duke won the game 94-45. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) dunks the ball in front of Oklahoma Sooners guard Christian James (3 during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) celebrates defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks following the championship game of the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) grabs a rebound against the Arizona State Sun Devils as guard Lonzo Ball (2) looks on in the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) droves against Kentucky Wildcats forward Derek Willis (35) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-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
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 16: NBA Draft Prospects, Malik Monk and Harry Giles III pose for a photo before the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) is defended by Louisville Cardinals forward Jaylen Johnson (10) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) drives to the basket as Kansas Jayhawks forward Landen Lucas (33) defends during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Kansas won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-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
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Tony Bradley (5) dunks the ball against Texas Southern Tigers guard Zach Lofton (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) shoots over Arizona State Sun Devils guard Kodi Justice (44) and forward Obinna Oleka (5) during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Golden Bears won 68-43. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Frank Jackson (15) drives around North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) during the first half during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Stone
A Kansas transplant living in Washington DC, I primarily write about college basketball and the NBA Draft.
