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New York Knicks: Realistically ambitious 2017 NBA Mock Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 15, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

. Point Guard. Washington Huskies. Markelle Fultz. 1. player. 93

  • The Philadelphia 76ers traded for the No. 1 overall draft pick in order to select Markelle Fultz. There will be other options, but Philadelphia made this move with a clear intention to select the Washington star. This is all but a done deal.

Lonzo Ball. 2. player. 20. . Point Guard. UCLA Bruins

  • It’s far from guaranteed, but the Los Angeles Lakers and Lonzo Ball seem like a perfect match. Some would view it as poetic justice if the Lakers were to pursue a different path to success, but the projection stands here. Ball is a facilitating point guard with elite size. Sound familiar?

Guard/Forward. Kansas Jayhawks. Josh Jackson. 3. player. 18.

  • With the Boston trading down to No. 3, it’s now a question of whom Danny Ainge has pegged as the No. 1 player on his board. It stands to reason that, had it been Fultz, Ainge wouldn’t have made this move. I’m inclined to still go with a point guard, but for now, Boston takes two-way swingman Josh Jackson.

player. 66. . Point Guard. Kentucky Wildcats. De'Aaron Fox. 4

  • The Phoenix Suns have depth at point guard, but shooting guard Devin Booker is 20 years of age and Ryan McDonough needs to build around his timeline. Some have Jayson Tatum going here, but De’Aaron Fox makes more sense. Fox is an excellent defender and facilitator who can provide the slashing balance to Booker’s shooting.

Dennis Smith Jr.. 5. player. 67. . Point Guard. North Carolina State Wolfpack

  • This may come as a surprise, but Dennis Smith Jr. is one of the Top 5 players in this draft class. The Sacramento Kings have proven to be willing to gamble, and that’s exactly what transpires at No. 5. Smith has superstar potential and Sacramento has no bigger need than that of a point guard. The Kings can’t risk there not being a worthy point guard available at No. 10.

. Small Forward. Florida State Seminoles. Jonathan Isaac. 6. player. 38

  • Jayson Tatum is a favored option here, but Jonathan Isaac has Paul George potential at small forward. Considering Frank Vogel is the head coach of the Orlando Magic, this makes too much sense. Isaac and Aaron Gordon could wreak havoc on teams defensively. At 6’11” with a 7’1″ wingspan and an advanced understanding of the game, Isaac is a project player worth investing in.

player. 86. . Power Forward. Arizona Wildcats. Lauri Markkanen. 7

  • Jayson Tatum is again an option here, but the last thing the Minnesota Timberwolves need is a player who’s at their best with the ball in their hands. Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Ricky Rubio, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Andrew Wiggins already qualify as those type of players, as does Shabazz Muhammad. By drafting Lauri Markkanen, Minnesota can finally space the floor and give those players room to operate. The fact that Markkanen has 7’0″ size and All-Star potential only strengthens his case.
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