The NBA season is over and there is suddenly nothing to watch on the television. The only thing that NBA fans can look forward to is the Draft. This year’s NBA draft seems to be the deepest draft in recent memory and has some really good prospects to look forward to. The draft will take place on June 22nd, 2017, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
News surfaced recently that the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers will be trading picks. After this was confirmed there would be a lot of different rumors circulating the league. All of the rumors seemed to surround the Cleveland Cavaliers and who they were going to try to get in order to combat the mighty Golden State Warriors. There was talk about Lebron jumping ship and bolting from Cleveland next season. Whispers about Paul George and Jimmy Butler joining the Cavs also surfaced. Porzingis potentially gone from New York in a trade. There are some major moves in the air right now. Magic Johnson made a few waves in Los Angeles when he sent D’Angelo Russel and Mozgov packing to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the 27th overall pick in this year’s draft. Rumors flooding the airwaves with potential player movement. Each move shaping the NBA landscape and reshaping the hierarchy of the league.
We will explore the first five picks in the draft and break down the players with respects to their skillset and what they would potentially bring to their respective teams. Of course there will be great players chosen after the top 5 are picked. After all, Steph Curry was picked 7th, Kobe Bryant was picked 13th, and Kawhi Leonard was picked 15th. These top 5 picks are going to be around for a long time. They all seem to be potential all stars in the making, and definitely will be set to contribute right away.
With the 1st pick in the 2017 NBA Draft the Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn Nets) select:Markelle Fultz from the University of Washington : As previously stated, the Celtics have chosen to swap this pick out the Philadelphia 76ers. This gives Philly an instant superstar and creates a big 3 of Embiid, Simmons and Fultz. This young trio should make for some exciting games for Philly. The public got a little taste of Simmons play last year when he debuted for LSU, but injuries kept him from suiting up for the Sixers last year. He’s a guy built the size of a power forward but who has the game of a point guard. We all seen what Eimbiid is Capable of doing. Fultz is a guy who has a hunger to be the best player in the league. You have a guy here who is a 6 foot 4 point guard with pinpoint passing accuracy and an offensive game that is both efficient and aggressive. This 76er team is a playoff team if everybody keeps themselves healthy. That is a huge if, considering the players histories.
With the 2nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft the Los Angeles Lakers select: Lonzo Ball from UCLA: As much as Magic Johnson probably wants to pick someone else at the number 2 spot it’s nearly impossible to pass up on a talent like Lonzo Ball. Lonzo possesses all the makings of a superstar in this league. Yes his father is a bit much to deal with but Lonzo is a player that doesn’t come around very often in this league. A 6 foot 6 pass first point guard who gets his team involved with passes that resemble something from the ShowTime era. He reminds people of Jason Kidd with his passing abilities. His basketball IQ is second to none in this draft and he will contribute to his team instantly to his team’s success. Lakers have already sent D’Angelo Russell packing, which opens up a clear lane for the Lakers to choose Ball with the 2nd pick.
With the 3rd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft the Philadelphia 76ers (via Sacramento Kings) select: Josh Jackson from the University of Kansas: This pick will be swapped with the Boston Celtics pick of Markelle Fultz. It’s easy to say that this trade makes a lot of sense. Although any team would love to draft Fultz, Boston already has an all-star point guard in Isaiah Thomas. Picking up Jackson would give the Celtics much needed firepower at the small forward position. He’s 6 foot 8 has a high motor and can create his own shot off the dribble. He has deceptive quickness and athleticism and is potentially a match up disaster waiting to happen. Celtics have finally received medical clearance for Jackson but it appears as they are flirting with the idea of going with Jayson Tatum with the #3 pick. I personally think that Jackson would be the best fit for that Celtic team and potentially propel them to make another deep run in the playoffs.
With the 4th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft the Phoenix Suns select: De’Aaron Fox from The University of Kentucky:This is my pick for best player from this draft. It isn’t going to show right away in the wins column but this kid is a proven winner with a heart of a champion. He is lightning quick in the open court, which is where much of his offense came from at Kentucky. He is 6 foot 4 but his wingspan stretches out to 6 foot 7. He’ll be able to disrupt passing lanes and give his opponents a hard time trying to dribble around him. His offense will only continue to progress, but his defense is what makes him a gem.
With the 5th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft the Sacramento Kings (via Philadelphia 76ers) select Jayson Tatum from Duke University: Tatum is a stud who had a pro game since high school. He doesn’t waste time with fancy dribbling moves. It’s usually a jab step, a pump fake and to the basket. He’s 6 foot 8 with a 6 foot 11 wingspan and is a very solid size to be a small forward. He is rumored to be the most polished offensive player out of this draft and will get tested early. Tatum is also a match-up nightmare in a league that is placing a premium on players who can take advantage of defensive switches. Too small and he will take you in the post of shoot over you. Too big and he will dribble right around you and finish at the rim. Choose wisely.
Good luck to these guys and all of the players getting drafted. We wish them long and successful careers and hope that they all stay healthy and reach their potentials. As much as we like the other players the AllThingsHoops.com pick of the draft is De’Aaron Fox. Lets revisit this article in a few years, I’m sure Fox will be making great strides at that time.
