2017 NBA Mock Draft: The final predictions
By Chris Stone
OG Anunoby
SF/PF, Indiana
At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Anunoby has one of the best frames to be an elite defender in this draft class. He is great defending in space and should continue to be so at the NBA level assuming he recovers fully from the ACL injury he suffered in January. Anunoby’s length also gives him the ability to protect the rim from the weak side, a critical skill for the Nuggets given Jokic’s lack of shot blocking. If measuring defense based on box score stats is your thing, then Anunoby passes that test, too, as we he averaged 2.1 blocks and 2.1 steals per 40 minutes as a sophomore.
Other than his medical issues, the other big red flag for Anunoby is his offense. There’s simply not much there. He doesn’t protect to be anywhere near a league average 3-point shooter and his ability to create with the ball in his hands is definitely in the early stages. One thing he does do well is finish, so perhaps Denver can find a way to take advantage of him as a cutter with Jokic’s passing ability.