With the NBA season right around the corner, it seems as though time is passing even slower now as we countdown to tipoff. We decided to look even further ahead to next year’s NBA Draft in order to help pass the time with an eye on how the draft will play out. Unlike in 2016 when Ben Simmons was the consensus No. 1 pick, there is no obvious choice for 2017 at this point. That made it a little more interesting when it came to identifying the top talents and predicting who will fall where.
Here is a look at the projected top five picks for the 2017 NBA Draft.
1. Boston Celtics (via Nets) – PG: Markelle Fultz, Washington
It’s pretty ridiculous that the Celtics own the projected first-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, even though they will have a chance to finish among the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season. Basketball fans in Boston probably wished they had the first-overall pick this year but next year’s top pick could provide them with an opportunity to draft a future superstar or trade the pick for a current star. Fultz appears to be the top prospect on the board as an athletic, crafty playmaker with quality size at 6’4’’ and great vision. Fultz has the potential to put up outstanding numbers in his freshman season at Washington and convince the entire NBA that he deserves to be the first-overall pick.
2. Phoenix Suns – SF: Josh Jackson, Kansas
Phoenix found out what they had in Devin Booker last season and they added to their young core with a pair of impressive talents in Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss. The Suns have done an excellent job reloading in a short amount of time and could really accelerate their rebuild if they land the second-overall pick in 2017. Jackson projects as a star at the small forward position with an excellent two-way skill set that will allow him to put up decent numbers on offense while holding his own at the defensive end of the floor. Jackson will flash his No. 1 potential with Kansas this season and he could end up in the perfect spot should Phoenix take him second-overall.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – PG: Dennis Smith Jr., North Carolina State
The 76ers are loaded up front with Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid and while one of those players could be traded this season they still have an obvious need at the point guard position. Ben Simmons could spend time there this season but it would be ideal if Philadelphia found a potential star point guard that could take over the reigns. Smith could be the perfect fit as he attempts to reestablish himself as a top talent after suffering a torn ACL last summer. Smith packs a ton of athleticism and is an incredible playmaker with the rock in his hands. Regaining his trademark burst will be the key to his draft stock and if he can find his previous form he would be an excellent fit for the 76ers.
4. Sacramento Kings – PG: Frank Ntilikina, France
Ntilikina impressed scouts at the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp and will be on every team’s radar throughout this season as a potential top-five pick. The 6’5’’ point guard owns a unique blend of size, athleticism and playmaking ability and his shooting is on point as well. Ntilikina has shown solid poise at a position that demands it and the Kings could take him as their franchise point guard with the fourth-overall pick in 2017.
5. Denver Nuggets – SF: Jayson Tatum, Duke
Harry Giles was considered in this spot based on his pure talent but he has already suffered two torn ACLs so we would expect Denver to pass on him with this pick. Instead, we pegged the Nuggets to take Giles’ Duke teammate in Tatum, who is a consistent, polished scorer that has the potential to be a top-three pick. Tatum is an excellent one-on-one scorer that can create separation off the bounce and consistently hit his step-back and pull-up jumpers. Tatum would be a welcome addition for a Denver side that could use his pure scoring ability as the projected fifth-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
