Live 2017 NBA Draft Grades

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1. Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz, PG, Washington - A Grade
   The 76ers obviously needed to find a play-maker in their backcourt and felt it was worth giving up a future first-rounder to move up two spots to grab Fultz. His fit in Philly is better than whomever the Sixers would have likely grabbed at No. 3, so it makes perfect sense to pair Fultz with Ben Simmons.



2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, G, UCLA - A- Grade
   As funny as it would have been to see Lavar Ball's face if the Lakers passed on his son, this pick makes way too much sense, especially since L.A. just dealt D'Angelo Russell. Ball brings a buzz to the Lake Show that they sorely lacked last season and he's the type of player who can do so much on the floor and make his teammates better. I think Josh Jackson and D'Aaron Fox are better long-term picks, but Ball is the right choice.








3. Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum, F, Duke - B- Grade
   I think Josh Jackson is going to be the best player to come out of this draft, so I'm not a fan of Tatum going ahead of him. Tatum can score but that's about all he can do and Jackson is a more complete player. Boston can potentially move this pick in a trade for an All-Star-caliber player, and Jackson would have more value.



4. Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson, F, Kansas - A+ Grade
   I LOVE this pick so much for Phoenix. Jackson and Devin Booker could be a crazy wing combo in the future, and as I've mentioned, I think Jackson is going to be the best player to come out of this draft.



5. Sacramento Kings: De'Aaron Fox, G, Kentucky - A+ Grade
   The Kings were really in a great spot here at No. 5, as they were going to get whichever of the top five that fell to them. In this case, Fox is the guy and fills a huge need as Sacramento sorely needs a point guard of the future. I would not at all be surprised if he ends up being the best point guard in this class. If he can develop a consistent jumper, that is very realistic.






6. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac, F, Florida State - C Grade
   I'm not as high on Isaac as most. He is a versatile player on both ends of the floor but there is a high risk/reward with someone like Isaac who needs to time to develop. I liked Lauri Markkanen or Malik Monk better than Isaac for Orlando since they already have Aaron Gordon.



7. Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen, F, Arizona - B Grade
   First off, the Timberwolves stole Jimmy Butler from the Bulls, and I am all in on Minnesota now. That might be my Marquette homering coming into play but I can't believe the Bulls couldn't find a better deal for Butler. Anyway, I think Markkanen is going to have a solid NBA career due to his scoring ability, and the Bulls need a power forward as well as a shooter. He's soft and doesn't rebound but can score it.






8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina, G, France - B- Grade
   This pick makes sense. The Knicks desperately need a point guard and though I was higher on Dennis Smith, Jr., I can't argue with this pick.



9. Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr., G, N.C. State - A- Grade
   Dennis Smith Jr. is a solid value here for a team that needs a point guard of the future. This is a boring write-up but my food just arrived and I'm starving.



10. Portland Trailblazers: Zach Collins, F, Gonzaga - A- Grade
    You knew the Blazers weren't going to keep all three of their first-rounders so I expected they would try to deal up if possible. Zach Collins makes a lot of sense for a Portland team that needs to upgrade their talent inside. Collins is a very efficient offensive scorer and should only get better with time.






11. Charlotte Hornets: Malik Monk, G, Kentucky - A Grade
    This is an awesome value for the Hornets getting a dynamic scorer like Monk at 11. He will bring a ton of firepower off their bench, and when you factor in the Dwight Howard trade, I think Charlotte has put together a solid draft week stretch.



12. Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard, G, Duke - B Grade
    This seemed like an obvious pick since Detroit sorely needs a shooter and could be losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency. I'm not sure Kennard is a star in the league but at the very least, will be a solid role player who can stretch the floor with his three-point shooting.





13. Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell, G, Louisville - B+ Grade
    The Jazz deal up to get Mitchell which makes a lot of sense since George Hill and Shelvin Mack are free agents. Mitchell is more of a combo guard than a true point guard, but can impact the game on both ends of the floor. By the way, I don't love this trade for Denver in getting Trey Lyles and No. 24. The Nuggets have several options at power forward and think they would have been better off keeping the pick and going with Justin Jackson.



14. Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, F, Kentucky - A- Grade
    I am a lot higher on Adebayo than most. I think he is a poor man's Dwight Howard and can be a rebounding/defensive presence in the league. Miami needs a power forward to pair alongside Hassan Whiteside inside, and while Adeabyo doesn't give you a ton offensively, is going to be a solid player for a long time in the league.



15. Sacramento Kings: Justin Jackson, G, North Carolina - A Grade
    Great job by the Kings by dealing down from No. 10 and getting two picks, and then landing Justin Jackson here. Sacramento needs a small forward with Rudy Gay being a free agent, and Jackson is a shooter who can space the floor and benefit from Fox's drive-and-dish ability.



Go to Live 2017 NBA Draft Grades: Round 1 - Picks 16-30
Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I've received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.



Go to Live 2017 NBA Draft Grades: Round 2

Go to 2017 NBA Mock Draft
2017 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's

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