SPORTS

2017 NBA mock draft for lottery teams

Now that we know the draft order after Tuesday night's lottery, Free Press sports writer Vince Ellis takes a stab at predicting the lottery in the upcoming NBA draft, which takes place June 22. Check back to Freep.com for a complete mock draft soon.
Now that we know the draft order after Tuesday night's lottery, Free Press sports writer Vince Ellis takes a stab at predicting the lottery in the upcoming NBA draft, which takes place June 22. Check back to Freep.com for a complete mock draft soon.
Frank Franklin II, AP
1. Boston: PG Markelle Fultz, Washington. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-4, 190 pounds. The word: The consensus at the NBA draft combine was that Fultz will the top pick, but can he play with Isaiah Thomas?
1. Boston: PG Markelle Fultz, Washington. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-4, 190 pounds. The word: The consensus at the NBA draft combine was that Fultz will the top pick, but can he play with Isaiah Thomas?
Elaine Thompson, AP
2. L.A. Lakers: PG Lonzo Ball, UCLA. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-6, 190 pounds. The word: A special open-court talent with the ball in his hands. Already rumors that SoCal is preferred landing spot.
2. L.A. Lakers: PG Lonzo Ball, UCLA. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-6, 190 pounds. The word: A special open-court talent with the ball in his hands. Already rumors that SoCal is preferred landing spot.
Steve Yeater, AP
3. Philadelphia: F Jayson Tatum, Duke. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-8, 205 pounds. The word: Developed offensive game translates easily to the NBA. Scoring whiz would fit nicely with center Joel Embiid.
3. Philadelphia: F Jayson Tatum, Duke. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-8, 205 pounds. The word: Developed offensive game translates easily to the NBA. Scoring whiz would fit nicely with center Joel Embiid.
Julie Jacobson, AP
4. Phoenix: F Josh Jackson, Kansas. Age: 20. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-8, 205 pounds. The word: This Detroit product could wind up being the top player in this draft, but I have him falling outside top three - for now.
4. Phoenix: F Josh Jackson, Kansas. Age: 20. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-8, 205 pounds. The word: This Detroit product could wind up being the top player in this draft, but I have him falling outside top three - for now.
Rich Sugg, TNS
5. Sacramento: PG De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-3, 170 pounds. The word: I like this guy a lot. Fox dominated my Alabama squad and his destruction of Ball in the NCAA tournament was noteworthy.
5. Sacramento: PG De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-3, 170 pounds. The word: I like this guy a lot. Fox dominated my Alabama squad and his destruction of Ball in the NCAA tournament was noteworthy.
Brandon Dill, AP
6. Orlando: G Malik Monk, Kentucky. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-4, 195 pounds. The word: Along with Tatum, Monk is one of the most natural scorers in the draft, but is he a point guard or a two-guard?
6. Orlando: G Malik Monk, Kentucky. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-4, 195 pounds. The word: Along with Tatum, Monk is one of the most natural scorers in the draft, but is he a point guard or a two-guard?
Jeff Roberson, AP
7. Minnesota: PF Jonathan Isaac, Florida State. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-11, 205 pounds. The word: A combo forward with tremendous upside. Moves easily and projects to be an outside shooting threat.
7. Minnesota: PF Jonathan Isaac, Florida State. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-11, 205 pounds. The word: A combo forward with tremendous upside. Moves easily and projects to be an outside shooting threat.
Wilfredo Lee, AP
8. New York: PG Dennis Smith, N.C. State. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-3, 195 pounds. The word: In a top-heavy draft for point guards, Smith could possess the best physical gifts for today's NBA game.
8. New York: PG Dennis Smith, N.C. State. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 6-3, 195 pounds. The word: In a top-heavy draft for point guards, Smith could possess the best physical gifts for today's NBA game.
Gerry Broome, AP
9. Dallas: PG Frank Ntilikina, France. Age: 18. Team: SIG Strasbourg in France. Size: 6-5, 170 pounds. The word: The Mavericks are starting to get serious about the rebuild and the Ntilikina could be the perfect fit.
9. Dallas: PG Frank Ntilikina, France. Age: 18. Team: SIG Strasbourg in France. Size: 6-5, 170 pounds. The word: The Mavericks are starting to get serious about the rebuild and the Ntilikina could be the perfect fit.
File Photo
10. Sacramento: C/F Lauri Markkanen, Arizona. Age: 20. Class: Freshman. Size: 7-foot, 225 pounds. The word: The Finnish prospect is already drawing comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki because of his shooting stroke.
10. Sacramento: C/F Lauri Markkanen, Arizona. Age: 20. Class: Freshman. Size: 7-foot, 225 pounds. The word: The Finnish prospect is already drawing comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki because of his shooting stroke.
Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP
11. Charlotte: C/F Zach Collins, Gonzaga. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 7-foot, 230 pounds. The word: If the big man with the outside shooting touch falls, Pistons could select the high-upside prospect.
11. Charlotte: C/F Zach Collins, Gonzaga. Age: 19. Class: Freshman. Size: 7-foot, 230 pounds. The word: If the big man with the outside shooting touch falls, Pistons could select the high-upside prospect.
Mark Humphrey, AP
12. Detroit: SG Luke Kennard, Duke. Age: 20. Class: Sophomore. Size: 6-5, 200 pounds. The word: Advanced offensive game makes Kennard a prospect who could contribute immediately to league’s worst-shooting team.
12. Detroit: SG Luke Kennard, Duke. Age: 20. Class: Sophomore. Size: 6-5, 200 pounds. The word: Advanced offensive game makes Kennard a prospect who could contribute immediately to league’s worst-shooting team.
Ethan Hyman, TNS
13. Denver: F OG Anunoby, Indiana. Age: 19. Class: Sophomore. Size: 6-8, 230 pounds. The word: Anunoby brings an NBA-ready frame combined with elite athleticism and big-time defensive potential. Suffered season-ending knee injury in January.
13. Denver: F OG Anunoby, Indiana. Age: 19. Class: Sophomore. Size: 6-8, 230 pounds. The word: Anunoby brings an NBA-ready frame combined with elite athleticism and big-time defensive potential. Suffered season-ending knee injury in January.
Darron Cummings, AP
14. Miami: SF Justin Jackson, North Carolina. Age: 22. Class: Junior. Size: 6-8, 195 pounds. The word: Almost ancient at 22 by today's standards, but would be likely be thrown right into the Heat's rotation.
14. Miami: SF Justin Jackson, North Carolina. Age: 22. Class: Junior. Size: 6-8, 195 pounds. The word: Almost ancient at 22 by today's standards, but would be likely be thrown right into the Heat's rotation.
Mark Humphrey, AP