Believe it or not, Lonzo Ball isn’t the only player applying for the 2017 NBA Draft. Sure, Ball has dominated the headlines with regards to the draft but others like Markelle Fultz and Jayson Tatum deserve more attention that they’re given so far. With that said, let’s take a look at how we project the first round of the NBA to unfold.
We’ve all heard rumors of the possibility of Danny Ainge trading his team’s top pick but until that truly happens, it’s more likely that Boston will keep the pick and take Fultz. LeBron James’ reign in the East appears to be far from over with the manner the Cleveland Cavaliers caused trauma across the conference this season so by getting Fultz, they get arguably the best player on the draft while keeping the roster young and under incubation, bound to mature just when James finally meets his inevitable decline.
2. Lonzo Ball, PG, Los Angeles Lakers
LaVar Ball’s in-your-face campaigning of his son to become a Laker may just work. The Lakers, however, doesn’t need LaVar to open his mouth (they probably would like it better if he just shuts up forever), for them to be convinced that Ball is their guy, provided the Celtics don’t take the UCLA product first overall. Ball’s comparison to another UCLA legend in Jason Kidd is warranted given his playmaking skills and overall basketball IQ. The Lakers are not completely sold on Ball, whose defense remains a question, but his established game and potential might just be too much for the Lakers to pass up.
3. Josh Jackson, SF, Philadelphia 76ers
The process continues for the Sixers long after former GM Sam Hinkie had left. With another lottery pick at hand, Philly is in position to draft another young elite talent who’s about to get exposed to at least 50 losses in his rookie season. Seriously speaking though, that could be Josh Jackson, an excellent two-way player out of Kansas. The former Kansas Jayhawks will give Philly even more versatility in the wing position, where last year’s top pick Ben Simmons could be found playing most of the time next season.
4. Jayson Tatum, SF, Phoenix Suns
The nation got a good dose of Jayson Tatum in his lone season in Duke with the forward taking advantage of the limelight by showing why he was then among the most coveted recruits. Tatum averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in Durham and looks like perfect fit for the Phoenix Suns whose forward position needs some shoring up.
5. De’Aaron Fox, PG, Sacramento Kings
There might be no team more dysfunctional than the Sacramento Kings, a team owned by someone who had the sheer audacity to bring up this idea. But even a franchise like that would come out a winner at least after the first round of the draft if they select De’Aaron Fox of Kentucky. The Kings are in desperate need of a good point guard. Neither Darren Collison nor Ty Lawson is the long-time answer at the position for the Kings but with Fox, they’ll have something to build on. It’s too early to tell, but a backcourt of Fox and Buddy Hield could become the next big thing in the NBA.
