Brooklyn Nets 2017 Draft Thread

[Paradise]

I'm trying so hard to control my emotions. Seeing Ivan Rabb and Bolden fall down that low made me tear up.


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[MrDollarBills]

Chad Ford's Latest Big Board(via RealGM)

The 2017 NBA Draft will be the "strongest in a decade", according to multiple NBA scouts and general managers. Chad Ford projects 10-15 potential All-Stars in the class, headlined by Markelle Fultz.

Ford elevated Fultz up from No. 3 in his previous big board to No. 1, while Lonzo Ball jumped from No. 6 to No. 2.

Josh Jackson fell from No. 1 to No. 3 with Malik Monk and Dennis Smith rounding out the top-5. Monk was ranked No. 15 in the previous big board.

1. Markelle Fultz
2. Lonzo Ball
3. Josh Jackson
4. Malik Monk
5. Dennis Smith
6. Jayson Tatum
7. Harry Giles
8. Jonathan Isaac
9. De'Aaron Fox
10. Miles Bridges
11. Lauri Markkanen
12. Frank Ntilikina
13. OG Anunoby
14. T.J. Leaf
15. Robert Williams
16. Ivan Rabb
17. Terrance Ferguson
18. Edrice Adebayo
19. Jarrett Allen
20. Marques Bolden

There's a special place in hell for Billy King.

[shakendfries]

Watch on YouTube

[shakendfries]

Chad Ford's Latest Big Board(via RealGM)

The 2017 NBA Draft will be the "strongest in a decade", according to multiple NBA scouts and general managers. Chad Ford projects 10-15 potential All-Stars in the class, headlined by Markelle Fultz.

Ford elevated Fultz up from No. 3 in his previous big board to No. 1, while Lonzo Ball jumped from No. 6 to No. 2.

Josh Jackson fell from No. 1 to No. 3 with Malik Monk and Dennis Smith rounding out the top-5. Monk was ranked No. 15 in the previous big board.

1. Markelle Fultz
2. Lonzo Ball
3. Josh Jackson
4. Malik Monk
5. Dennis Smith
6. Jayson Tatum
7. Harry Giles
8. Jonathan Isaac
9. De'Aaron Fox
10. Miles Bridges
11. Lauri Markkanen
12. Frank Ntilikina
13. OG Anunoby
14. T.J. Leaf
15. Robert Williams
16. Ivan Rabb
17. Terrance Ferguson
18. Edrice Adebayo
19. Jarrett Allen
20. Marques Bolden

There's a special place in hell for Billy King.

1. Markelle Fultz Previous rank: No. 3 Washington Freshman Guard There's still no consensus No. 1 pick, but for the first month of the season, there hasn't been a freshman with a more complete game than Fultz. His stat line has been ridiculous. He has been a dominant scorer, elite 3-point shooter, terrific rebounder and special passer, while racking up steals defensively. There are very few holes in his game. His only real issue? He's playing on a mediocre team without much help.


2. Lonzo Ball Previous rank: No. 6 UCLA Freshman Guard While Fultz may be the most complete player in the country, Ball has certainly been the most electric. His otherworldly passing, deep, deep range on his jumper and ability to explode off the floor have offered a dizzying array of highlights for the undefeated Bruins. Scouts think he's Jason Kidd with a jump shot. For a team that wants to play the way the Golden State Warriors play, Ball will be very tempting as a lead guard. The only thing that gives scouts pause? His unorthodox jump shot has some questioning whether he can keep shooting 3s at a 45 percent clip.


3. Josh Jackson Previous rank: No. 1 Kansas Freshman Forward Jackson began the season at No. 1 and has been impressive for the Jayhawks. He has proved to be an elite playmaker for a wing and has shown the skills to help his team in ways that don't always show up in the box score. His 25 percent 3-point shooting and 55 percent free throw shooting are the big reasons his stock has slipped slightly.


4. Malik Monk Previous rank: No. 15 Kentucky Freshman Guard Monk dropped 47 points on North Carolina on Saturday, and truthfully, that still didn't really capture what he's capable of as a scorer. His 3-point shooting, ballhandling and ability to finish at the rim make him the most elite scorer in the draft. If he were 6-foot-6, instead of 6-foot-3 -- or if he had more of a chance to play the point at Kentucky -- he'd challenge Fultz for the No. 1 spot on the board.


5. Dennis Smith Previous rank: No. 4 NC State Freshman Guard Smith has a special combination of elite athleticism and toughness that has allowed him to thrive as a scorer at NC State. I've heard a lot of Steve Francis comps from NBA scouts, and that seems about right. His jump shooting is the major concern at the moment. He was shooting just 28 percent from beyond the arc this year before hitting five 3s against Fairfield on Sunday. Jayson Tatum


6. Jayson Taytum Previous rank: No. 7 Duke Freshman Forward Tatum missed the first eight games of the season for Duke with an ankle injury, but he seems no worse for the wear. He had a dominant coming-out party against Florida in early December when he put his elite midrange and post game on full display. Scouts are still waiting to see if he can make the transition to being a reliable 3-point shooter, though. He's 4-for-15 from deep so far.


7. Harry Giles Previous rank: No. 2 Duke Freshman Forward After missing the first 11 games of the year (on top of his entire senior season) due to a knee injury, Giles finally got some game action this week. He played just four minutes and didn't record any points or rebounds against Tennessee State on Monday and put up just one point and two boards in six minutes against Elon on Wednesday. No one is panicking, though. The fact that he was out there was encouraging to scouts. Based on talent, he's as good as or better than anyone else on this board. However, two major knee surgeries -- on top of the more minor procedure that delayed his start at Duke -- loom pretty large right now. He's going to have to get back to full strength if he's going to make a run at the No. 1 pick.


8. Jonathan Isaac Previous rank: No. 8 FSU Freshman Forward Isaac is yet another freshman who has caught the eyes of NBA scouts with a combination of great size, length and shooting ability for a player his size (the 6-foot-11 forward is hitting 38 percent from 3). Strength is his biggest issue, but it hasn't stopped him from putting up solid numbers early for the Seminoles.


9. De'Aaron Fox Previous rank: No. 9 Kentucky Freshman Guard There isn't a faster player in the country than Fox. He's a blur with the ball, both in the open court and in half-court sets. His quickness and ballhandling abilities are elite, and he's showed terrific playmaking instincts at Kentucky -- but the shooting is a big issue. He's hitting just 15 percent of his 3s and only 30 percent of his 2-point jumpers for Kentucky.


10. Miles Bridges Previous rank: No. 24 Michigan State Freshman Forward Bridges has missed the past four games with an ankle injury, though he's on the mend and expected to play again soon. When he has played, Bridges has wowed scouts with his combination of an NBA body, explosive athleticism and playmaking ability. The fact that he's hitting 39 percent of his 3s only adds to his value.


11. Lauri Markkanen Previous rank: No. 17 Arizona Freshman Forward Markkanen has been terrific for the Wildcats in the early going. He's shooting 44 percent from 3 and he plays with an elite basketball IQ. Teams would like to see him rebound the ball better, but in a league where stretch-4s are the rage, Markkanen is a highly coveted prospect.


12. Frank Ntilikina Previous rank: No. 5 France Age: 18 Guard Ntilikina is off to a slow start in the French league, averaging just 3.8 PPG and 0.5 APG in 13 MPG for Strasbourg. Scouts are still high on him, though. His speed and passing ability scream lottery pick. But with so many freshmen dominating this year, it's harder to justify a high pick on a player who is struggling to get meaningful minutes in Europe.


13. OG Anunoby Previous rank: No. 16 Indiana Sophomore Forward Anunoby was off to a terrific start for Indiana before a sprained ankle suffered against the Tar Heels kept him out of the past three games. However, he looks to be back to his old self, scoring 19 points, grabbing 9 rebounds and blocking 4 shots in just 19 minutes against Delaware State on Monday. His combination of elite strength, defensive instincts and ability to stretch the floor could make him an ideal 3-and-D player in the NBA.


14. T.J. Leaf Previous rank: N/A UCLA Freshman Forward Leaf was the highest riser of anyone on our draft board. While he was a coveted high school prospect, scouts didn't expect to see this level of production from him so early in college. He can score from anywhere on the floor, rebounds and plays hard. He's also a fluid athlete with a good feel for the game. He needs to get stronger, and his defense isn't great, but all the basketball skills are there.


15. Robert Williams Previous rank: N/A Texas A&M Freshman Forward/center Williams is another player rocketing up the board as more scouts see him in meaningful action. He's got elite length and athleticism for his position. His defense is ahead of his offense right now, but there are signs that Williams can contribute offensively as well. He's raw, but the physical tools and motor create a pretty high ceiling for him.


16. Ivan Rabb Previous rank: No. 10 Cal Sophomore Forward Rabb has been solid for Cal, but his progress hasn't quite lived up to the expectations that many scouts had for him after he decided to come back to school for his sophomore season. Whether he's able develop a stroke out past the 3-point line is the biggest hang-up for scouts.


17. Terrance Ferguson Previous rank: No. 20 Australia Age: 19 Guard Ferguson's decision to dump Arizona and play pro ball in Australia hurt his initial draft stock after a stellar performance for Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit. But he's slowly winning back scouts after he moved into the starting lineup for Adelaide several games ago. He's still strictly a shooter at this point, but those guys come at a premium in the NBA.


18. Edrice Adebayo Previous rank: No. 12 Kentucky Freshman Forward "Bam" Adebayo has been solid for Kentucky, but not quite the dominant paint presence coach John Calipari had hoped. The strong, athletic big man is averaging 12.5 PPG and 8.0 RPG, though he hasn't been as imposing in the middle as some scouts would like. He has the body and the springs, but the feel for the game still appears to be lacking.


19. Jarrett Allen Previous rank: No. 11 Texas Freshman Center Allen is another big man who has been decent early but hasn't wowed anyone. His defense remains his calling card, though both his rebounding and shot-blocking numbers are a little underwhelming. In a draft without a lot of elite centers, his size and activity in the paint should keep him in the top 20.


20. Marques Bolden Previous rank: No. 13 Duke Freshman Center Like Tatum, Bolden missed the first eight games of the season with a leg injury. His role on the team has been more limited upon his return, and in Duke's only real tough game since his return, he got just two minutes coming of the bench against Florida. It looks like Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski is going to bring him along slowly, and with Harry Giles now back, Bolden may not be able to put up the numbers to justify a higher pick.


21. Omer Yurtseven Previous rank: No. 18 NC State Freshman Center Yurtseven finally made it on the court after a nine-game NCAA suspension for amateurism issues and was impressive in his debut, scoring 12 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in 24 minutes. He also hit a 3, showing off his versatile skill set for a 7-footer. If he has a big second half in the ACC, he'll rise.


22. Tony Bradley Previous rank: N/A UNC Freshman Center Bradley is quietly putting together a very solid freshman season, and some scouts now have him ahead of Allen, Bolden and Yurtseven on their draft boards. He's not much of a shot-blocker or scorer, but he has a very positive impact on the Tar Heels whenever he's on the floor. This isn't an elite draft for traditional centers, and Bradley will benefit from it.


23. Tyler Lydon Previous rank: No. 22 Syracuse Sophomore Forward Lydon got off to a bit of a slow start for the Orange, but he had his most dominant game of the season versus Georgetown on Saturday, scoring 29 points, grabbing 9 boards and shooting a scintillating 12-for-13 from the field. If he can start contributing with that sort of drive and energy consistently, he'll move up about 10 spots on the Big Board.


24. Jawun Evans Previous rank: N/A Oklahoma State Sophomore Guard There have been a lot of terrific freshmen point guards this season, and they've overshadowed what Evans has done for the Cowboys. He's been both an elite scorer and ballhandler for Oklahoma State, and a growing number of scouts think he has a future in the NBA.


25. Edmond Sumner Previous rank: No. 14 Xavier Sophomore Guard Sumner is scoring at a higher clip than ever, but his strong play this summer hasn't quite translated into the season many scouts expected. His 26 percent shooting from 3 is the biggest red flag right now.


26. Thomas Bryant Previous rank: No. 25 Indiana Sophomore Center Bryant got off to a terrific start before falling back to Earth a bit the past few games. His shooting percentage is way down this season as he looks to show off his perimeter game. His lack of elite athleticism hurts his upside, but he plays hard and with skill, and enough teams like him that he's got a good shot at going in the first round.


27. Rodions Kurucs Previous rank: No. 21 Latvia Age: 18 Forward Kurucs is playing for Barcelona II, averaging 6.0 PPG in 14.5 MPG while shooting 36 percent from the field. Those numbers don't really excite anyone, but his upside is terrific, and teams will want to draft-and-stash a few players as we get to the end of the first round.


28. Isaiah Hartenstein Previous rank: No. 23 Germany Age: 18 Forward Hartenstein is getting a little playing time in the Lithuanian league for Zalgiris right now, averaging 4.8 PPG and 3.0 RPG in about 13 MPG. Again, those numbers aren't really going to get anyone psyched, but scouts think he's got a much stronger upside than he's showing right now.


29. Josh Hart Previous rank: N/A Villanova Senior Guard Hart is the only senior on our Big Board, but he deserves it after carrying Villanova to a No. 1 ranking in the nation. He's averaging 20 PPG for the Wildcats and shooting an impressive 43 percent from 3. There's very little that is sexy about his game, but some teams see a Danny Green-type role for him in the NBA.


30. Luke Kennard Previous rank: N/A Duke Sophomore Guard Kennard has been the best player for the Blue Devils in early play, averaging 20.4 PPG, shooting 43 percent from 3 and adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game. While his jump shooting is his main draw to NBA teams, there's a toughness and versatility there that is very appealing to scouts.


Next five in Cameron Oliver, F, So., Nevada; Jonathan Jeanne, F/C, France; Kostja Mushidi, SG, Belgium; Ike Anigbogu, F/C, Fr., UCLA; Alec Peters, F, Sr., Valparaiso

[Paradise]

These are the prospects listed in our range from Chad Ford's article. Shakendfries favorite prospect makes the top of the list



Isaiah Hartenstein - 6'11 PF ( 18 Years Old )

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Tony Bradley - 6'11 C ( 18 Years Old )

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Omer Yurtseven - 6'11 C ( 18 Years Old )

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Rodions Kurucs - 6'8 SF (18 Years Old)

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Juwan Evans - 6'1 PG ( 20 Years Old )

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Edmond Sumner - 6'6 PG (20 Years Old)

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Josh Hart - 6'6 SG (21 Years Old)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/?watchv=ak5bZ-CwkpQ[/youtube]

[MrDollarBills]

Hartenstein looked the best out of all of those prospects. Ball handle ability, insane length, competes defensively, jump shot, moves without the ball very well, just a very aggressive mentality. Huge upside for that kid, i doubt we can land him.

[NyCeEvO]

Omer Yurtseven, the player that DX currently has the Nets in position to select is actually pretty decent. I like the foundation he has. He's got all of the basic tools that Brook has.

[MrDollarBills]

Omer Yurtseven, the player that DX currently has the Nets in position to select is actually pretty decent. I like the foundation he has. He's got all of the basic tools that Brook has.

Seems like a good player to draft to eventually replace Lopez. I didn't see anything about how he fares defensively vs the pick and roll.

[Prokorov]

Hartenstein looked the best out of all of those prospects. Ball handle ability, insane length, competes defensively, jump shot, moves without the ball very well, just a very aggressive mentality. Huge upside for that kid, i doubt we can land him.

love how aggressive he is and how he gives people stare downs after he dunks like he is some G. lol.

good shot blocking instincts, doesnt leave his feet until the ball is released. stays down on pump fakes and uses his size. finsihes and passes with both hands. super aggressive, shoots the 3. only 18. cant see him being around when we pick

[Paradise]

Jonathan Jeanne - 7'2" / 7'6" wingspan PF with Rudy Gobert upside.

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Robert Williams - 6'9" / 7'4" wingspan PF with Josh Smith upside.

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Cameron Oliver - 6'8" PF. An athletic tweeter with defensive potential.

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Kostja Mashidi - 6'5" SG. Smooth shooting stroke. Gifted scoring instincts.

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Alec Peters - 6'9" PF. Stretch four with super efficiency at Pick n' Pops and shooting off screens.

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Ike Anigbogu - 6'10" C. Major defensive upside.

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[NyCeEvO]

I'm really liking this draft simply because we should be able to nab someone with a semi-high potential even with Boston's pick. While I have been open to trading Brook for a while, it might actually be best to draft a player who can play alongside him and learn on the fly without having to really have to worry about carrying a major burden as soon as they're drafted.

Porzingis is a stud but I honestly wonder how his development would've been impacted if he didn't have Melo to take the brunt of the scoring burden, media attention as well as to ease his transition into NBA stardom. The same can be said for someone like Duncan with Robinson or even Kobe with Shaq.

I think there are a lot of "busts" who would've been very good players had they landed in the right situation and had been influenced by the right people. With our front office and our coaching team, I feel like we'd maximize the potential of just about any draftee and really put the best people around them.

While we need the BPA at any position, it would be fantastic to nab a true 3 who is already a good scorer or ballhandler OR a true 4 who can play good individual and team defense.

I'm reminded of someone like a Devin Booker (taken with the 13th pick in the 2015 draft) who came into the league as a good shooter and really just needs a development plan where he slowly adds more skills to his repertoire to turn him into a more complete player.

I don't mind RHJ but I'm kinda over the super raw athletic rookies who have an NBA body but need to improve every other aspect of their game.

[MrDollarBills]

Ike Anigbogu is intriguing.

[Claud]

Have not kept up with college hoops this year but obviously we need to go BPA come June. That being said, I feel like we really need to focus on getting some bigs that can rebound/play D.

IW/Lin CL/SK is decent guard rotation but Lopez/Booker Ham/AB/Scola is awful. I imagine CM will get pt at PF next season and he can be our stretch big so in my head a center that is athletic and can be a real backup to Brook would be the way to go.

[Zachbretton]

Hartenstein looked the best out of all of those prospects. Ball handle ability, insane length, competes defensively, jump shot, moves without the ball very well, just a very aggressive mentality. Huge upside for that kid, i doubt we can land him.

love how aggressive he is and how he gives people stare downs after he dunks like he is some G. lol.

good shot blocking instincts, doesnt leave his feet until the ball is released. stays down on pump fakes and uses his size. finsihes and passes with both hands. super aggressive, shoots the 3. only 18. cant see him being around when we pick

I think he's someone to keep an eye on. I'm hoping to hear that we send some scouts out to look at him and other surprise Euro guys. I think this guy has a lot of room to develop in his game. I think he's got a lot of skill already, but can work like a KP style player, even work alongside someone like Lopez.

He may go higher than our position but he maybe someone worth trading up some spots for. We need to be looking at high upside players like him.

[Paradise]

:O

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[Paradise]

Chad Ford has us taking Omer Yurtseven.

http://insider.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/18396903/chad-ford-nba-mock-draft-20-picks-philadelphia-76ers-boston-celtics-more)

It's time for the our first NBA mock draft in 2017.

It's our best stab at a full first-round mock -- assuming every eligible prospect who has yet to state his intentions on the draft declares -- after taking into account team needs and conversations with NBA scouts and GMs.

We'll be using ESPN's Basketball Power Index (BPI) to project the order in this very deep and talented draft.

Without further ado, I present Mock Draft 2.0.

1) Philadelphia 76ers*

Markelle Fultz

Washington

Freshman

Guard

There's no consensus No. 1 pick right now, but that's a good thing this year. The Sixers project to have several elite options here.

Fultz seems like the best fit of the group. He does everything well and has no real holes in his game. At his size, he can play either backcourt position, and for a team that could really use some 3-point shooting, his 46 percent rate from deep this season is encouraging.

Ben Simmons might still be the Sixers' primary point guard of the future, but Fultz's all-around game gives the team multiple options.

Odds of winning lottery (if they finish with the worst record): 25 percent

Projected record: 21-61

2. Boston Celtics (via Nets)*

Lonzo Ball

UCLA

Freshman

Guard

I'm not sure there's a Celtics fan left on the planet who doesn't know that Boston owns the rights to the Nets' draft picks for the next two years. Last year, picking in the Nets' position produced Jaylen Brown. This year, the reward might be much higher.

Point guard isn't an immediate need for Boston, but Ball is such a terrific prospect that I don't think it will matter much to GM Danny Ainge. His combination of size, playmaking, shooting and sizzle doesn't come along very often.

The Celtics can always move other pieces around. Ball would immediately be the highest-ceiling player on the roster.

Odds of winning lottery (via Nets): 19.9 percent (Boston owns the rights to swap picks with Brooklyn.)

Projected record: 22-60

3. Phoenix Suns

Josh Jackson

Kansas

Freshman

Forward

The Suns are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and Jackson happens to be the highest-ceiling defensive prospect in the draft.

His length, athleticism and motor allow him to guard three positions on the floor. Although he isn't an elite offensive player because of his inconsistent shooting, he's a terrific playmaker and slasher who excels in the open court. Most importantly, he's a high-character player who would immediately add toughness and grit on and off the court.

He'd be a great fit with the rest of the Suns' young players.

Odds of winning lottery: 15.6 percent

Projected record: 26-56

4. Philadelphia 76ers (via Lakers)*

Malik Monk

Kentucky

Freshman

Guard

The Lakers have a 35.6 percent chance of landing a top-three pick in the draft, per BPI. If they do that, they'll keep the pick another year. There's a very strong incentive for the Lakers to tank, given the strength at the top of the draft and the fact that they could lose their pick completely.

If the Sixers get this selection, it's the best-case scenario for them. Monk is the most dynamic scorer in the draft. He can light it up from anywhere. Pairing him with Fultz in the backcourt would give Philly two elite shooters and scorers to pair with Simmons and Joel Embiid.

If the Sixers trot out Embiid, Simmons, Dario Saric, Fultz and Monk next season, we will be talking about them as the best young team in the NBA, and Sam Hinkie will finally find some redemption for "The Process."

Odds of Lakers winning lottery: 11.9 percent (Philadelphia will get L.A.'s first-round pick if it falls outside the top three.)

Projected record (Lakers): 27-55

5. Miami Heat

Dennis Smith

NC State

Freshman

Guard

The Heat are in full-blown rebuild mode. Goran Dragic is available, and Justise Winslow and Hassan Whiteside are the two building blocks for the future.

Finding a dynamic scorer to play alongside that duo is a must, and Smith has that ability. He's an explosive athlete who can create his own shot and finish above the rim. He isn't an elite shooter, but his 39 percent shooting from beyond the arc gives scouts hope that he's improving.

Odds of winning lottery: 8.8 percent

Projected record: 29-53

6. Dallas Mavericks

Frank Ntilikina

France

Age: 18

Guard

The bounty of college freshmen point guards is obscuring one international prospect who has the potential to be just as good as the rest of them. He has a 7-foot wing span, sees the floor well and can be a terrific defender.

Ntilikina just took home MVP honors after leading France to the Under-18 European Championships a couple weeks ago. He scored 31 points on seven 3s and had four rebounds and three assists in the title game.

The Mavericks have two of the best international scouts in the business on their staff. They aren't sleeping on Ntilikina.

Odds of winning lottery: 6.3 percent

Projected record: 30-52

7. Orlando Magic

Jayson Tatum

Duke

Freshman

Forward

How deep is this draft? Some NBA scouts have Tatum No. 1 on their board. He goes No. 7 here.

Tatum is the prototypical NBA wing in both size and skill set. He's athletic and strong, he can score from all over the floor, and he plays defense. His lack of a strong 3-point shot (6-for-20 so far this season) is the biggest weakness of his game and pushes him a little farther down the board for some teams.

The Magic don't really need a small forward, especially when Aaron Gordon continues to show so much promise. But at this point, Tatum is the best player on the board and a great pick here.

Odds of winning lottery: 4.3 percent

Projected record: 32-50

8. Minnesota Timberwolves

Harry Giles

Duke

Freshman

Forward

Giles might be the best prospect in the draft, were it not for several knee surgeries that have him slowly coming back to form.

He hasn't shown much in the three games he has played for Duke, but his eight rebounds in 13 minutes against Virginia Tech on Saturday give you a glimpse of what he's able to do with a hyperactive motor, athleticism and the ability to score inside and out.

If Giles comes on late, he won't be available this low. And if he's here, the Wolves just added to their embarrassment of young riches.

Odds of winning lottery (via Knicks): 2.8 percent

Projected record: 32-50

9. New Orleans Pelicans

Jonathan Isaac

FSU

Freshman

Forward

The Pelicans are among a slew of Western Conference teams competing for that eighth playoff seed. BPI's projections are pessimistic that they'll keep up their current hot streak, and it might be for the best. They desperately need talent to put around Anthony Davis.

Isaac might not be the best player on his current team, but his upside is enormous. He's super skilled, with a huge wingspan, and he can guard multiple positions.

He needs to get stronger but would be a long-term upgrade at the 3 for the Pelicans.

Odds of winning lottery: 1.7 percent

Projected record: 33-49

10. Sacramento Kings*

De'Aaron Fox

Kentucky

Freshman

Guard

The Kings currently have dibs on the last playoff spot in the West, but BPI doesn't project that they'll hold onto the spot for long (nor do most long-suffering Kings fans).

If the Kings keep this top-10 pick, point guard seems like the way to go. Darren Collison, Ty Lawson and Garrett Temple are not long-term solutions, and there's one elite point guard left on the board in Fox.

Fox is the fastest point guard in the draft and one of the craftiest. He can't shoot, but his abilities to push the basketball and create make him a dangerous threat in the NBA.

Odds of winning lottery: 1.1 percent (If the Kings move ahead of Philadelphia in the lottery and are in the top 10, they swap spots with the Sixers. If Sacramento's pick falls outside the top 10, it will go to Chicago.)

Projected record: 34-48

11. Denver Nuggets

Miles Bridges

Michigan State

Freshman

Forward

The Nuggets are loaded with young talent and don't have any glaring needs, but if Bridges is here, he should be an attractive option.

The ultra-athletic forward is a dominant scorer and underrated passer who can play the 3 and the 4.

Odds of winning lottery: 0.8 percent

Projected record: 36-46

12. New York Knicks

OG Anunoby

Indiana

Sophomore

Forward

The Knicks could use some help at the 2, but with no great shooting guards on the board, Anunoby will be very attractive instead.

He's built like an NFL player but has athleticism and quickness. He's the ideal 3-and-D type player who has a little Kawhi Leonard in his game.

Odds of winning lottery: 0.7 percent

Projected record: 38-44

13. Indiana Pacers

Lauri Markkanen

Arizona

Freshman

Forward

The Pacers' biggest need is probably at the 2 as well, where they'll eventually need to replace the increasingly ineffective Monta Ellis. However, there isn't a player left on the board who really makes sense.

Markkanen would be an interesting pick here. His ability to stretch the floor makes him an ideal long-term frontcourt companion for Myles Turner.

Odds of winning lottery: 0.6 percent

Projected record: 38-43

14. Chicago Bulls

Terrance Ferguson

Australia

Age: 19

Guard

There starts to be a pretty big drop-off at this point in the draft, as those top 13 players seem like near-locks for the lottery. The pool gets shallower as we head into the next tier.

Chicago's biggest need is probably at the point -- especially in the wake of the Rajon Rondo fiasco -- but all the elite point guards are off the board. The Bulls also really need 3-point shooting, as they are last in the league, shooting just 30.7 percent from deep.

Ferguson is one of the best shooters in the draft and is getting real minutes playing pro ball in Australia,. He's a bit one-dimensional, but the Bulls need all the help they can get.

Odds of winning lottery: 0.5 percent

Projected record: 39-43

15. Portland Trail Blazers

T.J. Leaf

UCLA

Freshman

Forward

The Blazers already have three power forwards, but none of them is cracking a PER greater than 10.0 this season. It's an area in which Portland could use an upgrade, and Leaf's skill as a scorer and shooter would give the Blazers several different looks.

Leaf isn't particularly long for his position, but he makes up for that with a terrific feel for the game.

Projected record: 37-45

16. Washington Wizards

Robert Williams

Texas A&M

Freshman

Forward

It might behoove the Wizards (who rank 27th in the NBA in blocked shots) to take a swing at Williams, one of the most intriguing raw talents in the draft.

His athleticism and shot-blocking ability combined with an emerging offensive game give him a very high ceiling.

Projected record: 39-43

17. Detroit Pistons

Jarrett Allen

Texas

Freshman

Center

Andre Drummond is the man in the middle for the Pistons, but they could use more help in the paint.

There isn't a lot of flashiness from Allen, but his huge, 7-foot-6 wingspan, solid rebounding and defensive numbers mean teams will be willing to bring him along slowly.

Projected record: 41-41

18. Atlanta Hawks

Ivan Rabb

Cal

Sophomore

Forward

The Hawks are reportedly shopping Paul Millsap at the trade deadline and could use some long-term athleticism and toughness at the 4.

Rabb is just the second non-freshman to crack our mock. He was widely regarded as a lottery pick last year, but with the huge infusion of talent from this stellar freshman class, his stock has taken a small hit.

Rabb has proven to be an elite rebounder this year, and he's shooting 44 percent on his 2-point jumpers, but teams would like to see more shot-blocking and added strength to play offense in the paint.

Projected record: 42-40

19. Milwaukee Bucks

Edrice Adebayo

Kentucky

Freshman

Forward

Adebayo's body and explosiveness are reminiscent of Dwight Howard, but he's still figuring out how to make an impact on the court.

The Bucks could use that type of toughness in the paint, and Adebayo offers a long-term upgrade over John Henson and Mirza Teletovic.

Projected record: 43-39

20. Charlotte Hornets

Luke Kennard

Duke

Sophomore

Guard

Kennard is one of the best shooters in the draft, and he shows enough versatility that he can play off the ball a bit as well.

With Nicolas Batum, Marco Belinelli and Jeremy Lamb, the Hornets already have a lot of 2s, but none of them strokes it the way Kennard does.

Projected record: 44-38

21. Denver Nuggets (via Grizzlies)*

Rodions Kurucs

Latvia

Age: 18

Forward

The Nuggets have one of the best international scouting services in the league, and this is their second pick in the first round.

Kurucs is a long, athletic wing who can shoot the basketball. He's a draft-and-stash guy, but scouts love his upside if he's given a few more years to develop.

Projected record (Grizzlies): 45-37 (Denver will get Memphis' first-round pick if it falls outside the top five.)

22. Oklahoma City Thunder

Tyler Lydon

Syracuse

Sophomore

Forward

Lydon has been a mild disappointment as a sophomore, but he's playing better the past few weeks. His combination of athleticism, 3-point shooting, versatility and rebounding make him an intriguing prospect in the 20s.

The Thunder could use long-term help at forward, and Lydon can play both the 3 and the 4.

Projected record: 46-36

23. Utah Jazz

Marques Bolden

Duke

Freshman

Center

The Jazz are loaded with intriguing young players at every position. They're one of the deepest teams in the league, so they can afford to take a risk.

Bolden is clearly a project. He barely gets off the bench for the Blue Devils, and his inconsistency as a presence in the paint has carried over from his high school days. However, his size, reach, wing span and upside could have the Jazz looking smart in a few years.

This would be a long-term play.

Projected record: 49-33

24. Brooklyn Nets (via Celtics)*

Omer Yurtseven

NC State

Freshman

Center

The Nets have to be hurting. They could be drafting a player such as Lonzo Ball, had former GM Billy King not traded their future for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce a few years ago.

Yurtseven is a bit of a sleeper. He got a late start to the season because of some NCAA eligibility issues, but he's big and skilled, and he can do all the things NBA teams want modern bigs to do, such as shoot and protect the rim.

He isn't a great athlete, nor will he be ready right away, but the Nets have to think about the future.

Projected record (Celtics): 50-32

25. Toronto Raptors (via Clippers)*

Isaiah Hartenstein

Germany

Age: 18

Forward

Raptors GM Masai Ujiri has never been shy about grabbing international talents, and Hartenstein certainly has the talent to go this high. He scored 14.7 PPG and 9.3 RPG in 25.7 MPG for Germany in the FIBA Under-18 European Championships.

Picking up a 7-footer who can spread the floor at the 4 position would be a long-term upgrade for the Raptors down the road.

Projected record (Clippers): 52-30 (Toronto will get L.A.'s first-round pick if it falls outside the lottery.)

26. Houston Rockets

Jawun Evans

Oklahoma State

Sophomore

Guard

All the hype about the incredible freshman point guard class has hidden Evans a bit.

He's doesn't have great size, nor is he an elite athlete, but his abilities to run a team, hit big shots and and hold onto the ball make him an intriguing backup point guard.

Projected record: 58-24

27. Toronto Raptors

Ike Anigbogu

UCLA

Freshman

Center

This is the type of player Ujiri loves: underrated and a little raw but with athleticism and toughness that should translate to the NBA.

Anigbogu doesn't play a huge role for UCLA, but his athleticism and shot-blocking have turned a lot of heads.

Projected record: 59-23

28. Cleveland Cavaliers

Tony Bradley

North Carolina

Freshman

Center

The Cavs are rolling this year without a traditional center. Tristan Thompson is doing a great job, but getting a true 7-footer in there could pay off down the road.

Bradley is a pretty raw prospect offensively, though he's already one of the better young rebounders in the country.

Projected record: 60-22

29. San Antonio Spurs

Josh Hart

Villanova

Senior

Guard

Hart just feels like a Spurs player: solid, no ego and can hurt you in a number of ways, such as hitting 3s and getting to the basket.

The Spurs obviously have Danny Green to do a lot of that, but with Manu Ginobili likely in his last season, Hart could be a nice fit.

Projected record: 62-20

30. Utah Jazz (via Warriors)*

Kostja Mushidi

Belgium

Age: 18

Guard

This is the second first-rounder for the Jazz, and I wouldn't be surprised if they go international.

Mushidi is a raw prospect who needs to improve his shooting, but his athleticism and scoring acumen make him an attractive option. He ended up averaging 14.7 PPG for Germany in the FIBA Under-18 European Championships.

However, his 8-for-42 shooting from 3 is the big reason he isn't higher on our board.

Projected record (Warriors): 69-13 (Utah owns Golden State's first-round pick.)

BPI projected records current as of Jan. 2.

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[CalamityX12]

can we sue Billy????? seriously.....

[MrDollarBills]

Billy King should be in JAIL.

[NyCeEvO]

I have a strong feeling that unless Hartenstein gets injured, he will be selected much earlier than projected because teams are going want to try to get the "next Porzingis" if they can.

I'm not saying that Hartenstein will be anywhere as good as Porzingis but I'm sure there are plenty of teams who didn't take Porzingis seriously and now they will overcompensate for it in this draft by looking for any international players with athleticism and the ability to shoot.

If Marks is seriously targeting this kid, something tells me we're going to have move into the late lottery to have a chance.

[shakendfries]

I have a strong feeling that unless Hartenstein gets injured, he will be selected much earlier than projected because teams are going want to try to get the "next Porzingis" if they can.

I'm not saying that Hartenstein will be anywhere as good as Porzingis but I'm sure there are plenty of teams who didn't take Porzingis seriously and now they will overcompensate for it in this draft by looking for any international players with athleticism and the ability to shoot.

If Marks is seriously targeting this kid, something tells me we're going to have move into the late lottery to have a chance.

As our pick creeps closer to 30, I get less optimistic for what's to come....




something's gotta get better for this franchise...eventually