Fansided

2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

By Staff

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 23: The full draft board of the first 30 pics of the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft is seen at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 23: The full draft board of the first 30 pics of the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft is seen at the Barclays Center on June 23, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
22

Anzejs Pasecniks

Center, Gran Canaria

The 7-foot-2 big man out of Latvia has exceptional tools for a late first rounder. Pasecniks is a former teammate and good friend of Kristaps Porzingis but plays differently than the New York Knicks forward. Pasecniks uses his size well in the post but lacks the shot-blocking abilities of his Latvian counterpart. Although he only played 15 minutes per game this past season overseas, he showed flashes of brilliance for a guy his size. Pasecniks has standout athleticism and intriguing size and is absolutely worth the gamble at the #22 pick. If Sean Marks is able to nab a prospect like Pasecniks after trading away Bojan Bogdanovic it would only further his reputation as a capable GM. If Pasecniks pans out, he has the potential to be a rotational piece for the long-haul and can even be Brook Lopez’s replacement if the team decides to trade him this offseason or let him walk in free agency next year.

— Andrew Hughes, Nothin’ But Nets, @NetsBlogFS