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NLL Insider - 2017 NLL Lottery Mock Draft

by laddas, updated on Thursday, June 22 2017, 05:31 am EST

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1

Markelle Fultz

Ht/Wt: 6' 5"/186 lbs.
Position: PG
Team: Washington
Class: Freshman

 

The best rated prospect in the draft. I just can’t see the Hawks passing on this guy. Has the most complete offensive arsenal out of any prospect in the draft and to try and find many negatives is just nitpicking at best. He is just as capable at running the offense as he is letting it come to him so if Jrue returns I don’t see any issues with these two playing together. He’s a fluid athlete that sees the court very well which makes doubling him a problem. Very good pull up game as well and just as dangerous finishing at the rim. The Hawks take him at 1 and that’s the end of story.

 

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2

Josh Jackson

Ht/Wt: 6' 8"/202 lbs.
Position: SF
Team: Kansas
Class: Freshman

 

Mavericks could go Ball at number 2, but I think they still believe in Mudiay so here we see Josh Jackson as second off the block. At 6’8 and playing at Kansas, he immediately gets comparisons to Andrew Wiggins, but I don’t think that’s entirely accurate. Jackson is a very good passer for someone his size and has a solid handle which makes him a potential playmaker from the wing. He moves very well off the ball and is an explosive athlete and has a toughness about him that makes him absorb contact well at the hoop and finish. The Mavericks bring in the best wing in the draft at number 2.

 

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3 *

Lonzo Ball

Ht/Wt: 6' 6"/190 lbs.
Position: PG
Team: UCLA
Class: Freshman

 

With questions about Russell’s leadership qualities the Clippers snap up Ball at pick 3. Lonzo is a pass first point guard that possesses great size and speed. It’s hard not to compare him to Jason Kidd which I’m sure GM Andrew would love to add to his up and coming squad. He has an ugly jump shot that surprisingly works though as he shot over 40% from three in college. The only downside with Lonzo is the baggage that is his father LaVar Ball… But once GM Andrew gets in his ear and tells him to “shut up”, the Clippers will unearth a franchise Point Guard.

 

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4

Dennis Smith

Ht/Wt: 6' 2"/190 lbs.
Position: PG
Team: NC State
Class: Freshman

 

Wait… what? Didn’t the Clippers just draft Lonzo Ball? Yep, but it’s no secret the GM Andrew rates Dennis Smith as not only the best PG in the draft, but the best player period. It’s hard to argue with his assessment as Smith is outrageously explosive, think Russell Westbrook like explosiveness (and if you don’t believe me go watch footage of Smith at NC State and then of Westbrook at UCLA) and an ability to finish at the rim at a high percentage. Not only can he score the ball but he’s also quite unselfish and willing passer and has the tools to be an elite perimeter defender in the league. What holds him back is the question marks surrounding his surgically repaired knee, which he tore the ACL in high school.

 

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5

Jayson Tatum

Ht/Wt: 6' 8"/204 lbs.
Position: SF
Team: Duke
Class: Freshman

 

Memphis are rubbing their hands together with this one, Tatum fits the bill perfectly here at number. Memphis would be filling a need and arguably grabbing the BPA at this spot. Tatum will get you buckets, he plays a smooth game with the potential to be an inside outside threat. He reminds me a little of Danny Granger, who in his prime was a 23ppg scorer, something I’m sure GM jessedunne would be wrapped with. He has the physical tools to be good defender if he puts his mind to it, what he might lack in lateral quickness he could easily make up for in hustle and size. Adding Tatum to Exum (Who is expected to take a jump in production this year), Chriss and big Papa, the Grizzlies have a foundation to build on for years to come.

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6*

DeAaron Fox

Ht/Wt: 6' 4"/171 lbs.
Position: PG
Team: Kentucky
Class: Freshman

 

GM Laddas number 1 target in this draft is likely to fall to the Pistons at number 6. Elite level speed, quickness on a 6’4 body is the 19-year old’s biggest strength. Fox is faster than most players and knows himself as much that he loves to push the ball in transition. His size and speed make him such a good finisher around the hoop and can finish over almost anyone but also possesses an underrated mid-range game which would serve him well in the NBA. Defensively, he is an excellent on ball defender and has quick hands capable of ripping the ball away at any moment. He does have a skinny frame though and strength work will be his immediate need a long with a consistent outside J. After trading away Chris Paul, this young man will come in as a direct replacement.

 

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7*

Frank Ntilikina

Ht/Wt: 6' 5"/180 lbs.
Position: PG
Team: France
Class: Intl.

 

I think the Pacers take the first “reach” here at number 7 with the French point guard. Now for me, I don’t believe it be a reach, Pacers need a PG and Frank in any other draft would probably go top 5. 6’5 possessing a 7-foot wing span he could be a real handful defensively. The scary part is scouts say he still has to room to grow into his body which could turn him into a physical specimen. He has above average basketball IQ and is very unselfish with the ball which every coach loves from their point guard. He still has work to do on his jump shot and creating offense for himself, but with time we could be looking at a “Greek freak” like player, not equal in size, but more like nothing we’ve seen at the PG position before.

 

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8*

Jonathan Isaac

Ht/Wt: 6'11"/205 lbs.
Position: SF
Team: Florida State
Class: Freshman

 

Originally, I would’ve said Malik Monk, but the Mavericks recently brought in KCP… So, they snap up one of the most tantalizing players in the draft, Jonathan Isaac. At almost 7 feet tall and wiry 205lb frame Isaac gets up and down the court like guard would and he’s very light on his feet which gives him great agility on the court. He possesses a 7’1 wingspan and whopping 9’1 reach allow him to be a real menace on the defensive end from the wing position. Like most freshman though he will need to add strength and while he is a very good ball handler for a man his size, he will need to work on his ability to create shots. With comparisons ranging from studs like Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett to busts like Channing Frye and lesser players like Al-Farouq Aminu… the gap between his best and worst-case scenario is what makes Isaac the most intriguing prospect.

 

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9*

Malik Monk

Ht/Wt: 6' 3"/185 lbs.
Position: SG
Team: Kentucky
Class: Freshman

 

The Magic gave up Boogie Cousins for a top 10 picks as they appear to be rebuilding the once promising squad now and see them taking the explosive Malik Monk at pick 9. His elite level athleticism sees him finish at the rim at a high percentage and his jump shot is one of the best in the class but his shot selection needs to be his main focus of work. Some scouts think he can develop into an NBA point guard due to the fact he can indeed make plays passing the ball, but it would be an almost complete transformation from his natural game. Maybe a Kyrie like PG role could be in his future. With Monk, the Magic move Middleton to SF and add in Valanciunas, things are still looking promising in Orlando.

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10 *

Zach Collins

Ht/Wt: 7' 0"/230 lbs.
Position: C
Team: Gonzaga
Class: Freshman

 

What a draft this would turn out to be for the Hawks. They land the best player in Markelle Fultz and then at pick 10 land arguably the best center in the draft. Collins plays hard and with a chip on his shoulder and you add that with his broad shoulders, long arms and solid body frame he has the potential to be a really solid NBA player. He has great mechanics on his jump shot with an almost perfect release and is quite a fluid runner in transition. His hard play can lead to some silly fouls which he will have to get better at but the Hawks are potentially looking at a Collins, TT, Winslow, Fultz, Holiday starting 5 to start the 2017/18 season. Well done Frahm.

 

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11*

Donovan Mitchell

Ht/Wt: 6' 3"/210 lbs.
Position: SG
Team: Louisville
Class: Sophomore

 

After filling the team’s biggest weakness at pick 5 with Jayson Tatum, they get to fill another here with Mitchell. Wasn’t really that much talked about as a lottery pick early in the year but has really gained steam recently with impressive workouts and has shown a great ability to put the ball in the hole. His best asset though is his jump out of the gym athleticism and first step as explosive as the best. His superior athleticism helps him defensively as well as he is a pest and strong. He is undersized but his strength and athleticism make up for what he lacks in height. With Mitchell, the Grizzlies draft 2 very talented players and things look good in Memphis.

 

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12

Lauri Markkanen

Ht/Wt: 7' 0"/230 lbs.
Position: PF
Team: Arizona
Class: Freshman

 

Some may see this as a slip for Markkanen but for me, it seems just about right. Lauri is a legit outside threat from the 4/5 spot and with his size will be hard man to contest on the perimeter. He’s a very fluid athlete and his jump shot is wet whether it be off the dribble or catch and shoot. He’s had comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki and Kristaps Porzingis and while his offensive game does mimic these two, scouts say he lacks the toughness to compete at times. His poor rebounding numbers are a reflection of why some call him “soft” but at the end of the day he is a great talent and I’m sure GM Smokey has no worries taking him at pick 12. Jackson, Isaac and Markkanen? Smokey says thank you very much!

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13

John Collins

Ht/Wt: 6'10"/218 lbs.
Position: PF
Team: Wake Forest
Class: Sophomore

 

Charlotte have so much young talent it’s hard to see what they would go for. They could take the risk on Harry Giles sure, or even snatch board riser Jonah Bolden… But I think they will take John Collins here at 13. Turner, Porzingis, Maker and Collins? There’s your front court set for the next few years (until they all demand a pay rise). Collins was super effective and productive in his time in college and sported a ridiculous PER of 36.3 in his sophomore season. Right now, though a lot of his game is based on his high-level athleticism so he will need to figure out other ways to be productive in the NBA as his game grows. He has great hands and has a great motor on the boards which makes him a rebounding fiend. I think Collins will be a solid addition for the Hornets.

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14*

Jonah Bolden

Ht/Wt: 6'10"/227 lbs.
Position: SF
Team: Australia
Class: Intl

Who? What? Jonah has been flying up mock drafts since workouts opened up. Not a lot is known about the Australian but recently he was seen on a Clippers mock draft list that showed him being the last pick of the lottery. Though he’d been on the radar for some time, no one really expected him to be any more than a late second round pick… fast forward to now and there is legit interest in him going in the top 20 in the NBA. He can stretch the floor and blow by slower defenders at the four spots and has a strong body to body up defensively. Call me crazy but don’t be surprised to see his name called at 14 on Saturday night.

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· 2017 NLL Lottery Mock Draft

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