NBA Draft 2017: Top 40 Big Board

View 2017 Mock Draft here

De'Aaron Fox

1. Markelle Fultz, G, Washington

Projection: 1st to Philadelphia

Strengths: Polished jumper, instant offense, decent defender

Weaknesses: Leadership, lack of elite speed

Bust Potential: Low

Widely regarded as the top overall prospect in the Draft, Markelle Fultz has all the tools to be a highly productive NBA player for a long time to come. He brings a proven jumper to the table, which mixed in with his impressive size and strength equates to a wonderful all-around offensive game. He still has to prove himself defensively, but Fultz proved he could carry a team on his back, putting up gaudy stats on a terrible Washington team. The hope is that he won't have to do something similar in Philadelphia, where an impressive core of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid awaits.

2. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky

Projection: 5th to Sacramento

Strengths: Breakneck speed, court vision, dominant in transition

Weaknesses: Reliable jumper

Bust Potential: Low

The latest in a long line of John Calipari point guards, De'Aaron Fox's playmaking abilities and insane speed are reminiscent of John Wall when he was selected first overall in 2010. With that speed, impressive court vision and well-beyond-his-years maturity, it is easy to see Fox putting up big-time assist numbers for a long time at the next level. His big weakness is his jump shot, which has to become more consistent. If he can discover that, he can certainly evolve into a multiple All-Star in the NBA.

3. Lonzo Ball, PG, UCLA

Projection: 2nd to Los Angeles Lakers

Strengths: Court vision, athleticism, fearless offensive game

Weaknesses: Broken jumper, off-the-court questions

Bust Potential: Moderate

The basketball world is completely split on Lonzo Ball. Some view the former UCLA Bruin as a legitimate star ready to take the NBA by storm, while others question his jump shot, defense and how his loudmouth father may impact his future. I view Ball as an extremely impressive overall prospect; he has proven he can take over games when needed and his ability to pass the ball will immediately upgrade any offense right away.

4. Jayson Tatum, F, Duke

Projection: 3rd to Boston

Strengths: Dominant in isolation, fabulous in paint, overall versatility

Weaknesses: Average defender, needs to get stronger

Bust Potential: Low

One of the top prospects in the 2016 recruiting class, Jayson Tatum did not disappoint in his lone season with the Blue Devils. The versatile forward grew into one of the team's most consistent offensive weapons, displaying a wide range of offensive abilities. He will add an effective forward to any number of NBA teams, and could become even more lethal on the offensive end if he can add some size and bulk to deal with bigger and tougher NBA defenders.

5. Josh Jackson, G/F, Kansas

Projection: 4th to Phoenix

Strengths: Athleticism, rebounding, defense

Weaknesses: Unreliable jumper, inconsistent free throw shooter

Bust Potential: Moderate

Much like Tatum, Josh Jackson was a highly touted recruit coming into the 2016-2017 season, and his improvement over the course of the season has scouts excited. The former Kansas wing still struggled to make a reliable three-pointer, but he showed he could impact the game in a ton of different ways. His athleticism and defensive abilities are perhaps the most impressive in the entire Draft class, and he has proven time and time again he can stuff the stat sheet full. With his potential, it would not be surprising at all to see Jackson land in the Top 5, perhaps even as high as second overall to Los Angeles.

6. Zach Collins, F/C, Gonzaga

Projection: 7th to Minnesota

Strengths: Length, defensive impact, spacing the floor

Weaknesses: Inexperience, strength

Bust Potential: Low

While this Draft Class isn't stock full of dominant big men like some have been in the past, I'm really excited about what Zach Collins can do at the next level. Despite coming off the bench for much of the season at Gonzaga, Collins displayed defensive dominance, using his rangy wingspan and overall seven-foot size to constantly disrupt opponents in the paint. Collins also showed he could space the floor with a very refined jump shot, and he could fit the role of a stretch four in the NBA, something teams are always searching for. 

7. Dennis Smith Jr., PG, NC State

Projection: 8th to New York 

Strengths: Explosiveness, passing ability, ability to excel through contact

Weaknesses: Streaky shooter, injury history

Bust Potential: Moderate

Despite tearing his ACL his senior year of high school, Dennis Smith Jr. showed no signs of slowing down in his lone season in Raleigh, North Carolina, putting on an absolute show for the NC State Wolfpack. Smith's explosive athleticism and ability to get to the rim and finish are both top-notch and should serve him well as he begins his journey in the NBA. However, teams are still concerned about that torn ACL (which obviously has impacted point guards in the past) and his streaky shooting, which could threaten to drop him out of the Top 10.

8. Frank Ntilikina, G, France

Projection: 11th to Charlotte

Strengths: Size, great passer and ball-handler, good feel for the game

Weaknesses: Inconsistent shooter, transition to NBA game

Bust Potential: Moderate

Every single year there is some "mystery man" from the International route, and this year that man is Frank Ntilikina from France. Ntilkina has not gone to the NBA Combine nor worked out for any NBA teams, but scouts are fascinated by his physical gifts and long-term potential. At 6'5", he has ideal size for a point guard in the NBA, and possesses a great understanding of how the game works. He still is improving as a shooter, but the rest of his offensive tools are impressive, and his defense should fit right into the league.

9. Jonathan Isaac, F/C, Florida State

Projection: 6th to Orlando

Strengths: Rim protection, shot-blocking abilities, offensive upside

Weaknesses: Unreliable outside of paint, very young, very raw

Bust Potential: Moderate

Considered by many to be the best big man available in the Draft, Jonathan Isaac's ability to protect the rim and alter shots would immediately fit a major need for a long list of NBA teams (including Orlando, where I have him mocked). However, Isaac is extremely raw on the offensive end of the court, and will need significant work. Though, the potential is certainly there for him to evolve into a very skilled and effective big man at the next level.

10. Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky

Projection: 10th to Sacramento

Strengths: Fabulous shooter, tremendous athlete, can take over games with offense

Weaknesses: Inconsistent at times, weak defender, needs to bulk up

Bust Potential: Low

Malik Monk showcased his elite scoring ability on multiple occasions at Kentucky, including a 46-point outburst against UNC earlier in the season. That ability to absolutely take over games with his offense certainly has to intrigue a wide variety of NBA general managers. Monk has to be able to get more consistent, however, and also add to a relatively thin frame if he wants to really compete in the physical NBA. With that being said, there are still a number of teams willing to take a chance on a guy with his offensive pedigree.

11. T.J. Leaf, F, UCLA

Projection: 20th to Portland

Strengths: Very good shooter, reads defenses well, solid rebounder

Weaknesses: Not elite-level potential, disappears at times

Bust Potential: Low

12. O.G. Anunoby, G/F, Indiana

Projection: 14th to Miami

Strengths: Exceptional athleticism, can defend multiple positions

Weaknesses: Coming off injury, mediocre jumper

Bust Potential: High

13. Luke Kennard, G, Duke

Projection: 21st to Oklahoma City

Strengths: Lights-out shooter, can play multiple positions, quality passer

Weaknesses: Fit in NBA offense, size

Bust Potential: Low

14. Lauri Markkanen, F, Arizona

Projection: 9th to Dallas

Strengths: Spaces the floor well, proven leader, very mobile big man

Weaknesses: Doesn't have ceiling of others in Draft, average defender

Bust Potential: Low

15. John Collins, F/C, Wake Forest

Projection: 13th to Denver

Strengths: Significant upside, terrific athlete, incredibly strong

Weaknesses: Foul trouble, unfocused at times

Bust Potential: Moderate

16. Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

Projection: 17th to Milwaukee

Strengths: Length, rim protection, good feel around the rim

Weaknesses: Inexperienced, poor at free throw line, doesn't run the floor very well

Bust Potential: Moderate

17. Donovan Mitchell, G, Louisville

Projection: 12th to Detroit

Strengths: Productive scorer, efficient overall player, can hit the three-ball

Weaknesses: Average upside, tweener

Bust Potential: Low

Justin Patton

18. Justin Patton, C, Creighton

Projection: 15th to Portland

Strengths: Very physical, great rebounder, good defender

Weaknesses: Doesn't run floor very well, still very raw offensively

Bust Potential: Moderate

19. Harry Giles Jr., F, Duke

Projection: 22nd to Brooklyn

Strengths: Immense potential, great athleticism, terrific finisher around the rim

Weaknesses: Serious injury concerns, unproven beyond collegiate ranks

Bust Potential: High

20. Justin Jackson, F, North Carolina

Projection: 16th to Chicago

Strengths: Good three-point shooter, impressive length, terrific floater

Weaknesses: Average defender, needs to bulk up

Bust Potential: Low

21. Terrance Ferguson, G/F, Australia

Projection: 27th to Los Angeles Lakers

Strengths: Elite in transition, superb athlete, solid defender

Weaknesses: Poor shooter, very inconsistent, prone to mistakes

Bust Potential: High

22. Ike Anigbogu, C, UCLA

Projection: 18th to Indiana

Strengths: Can carve out space down low with size, very good rebounder

Weaknesses: Incredibly raw, needs significant work offensively

Bust Potential: Moderate

23. Josh Hart, G/F, Villanova

Projection: 40th to New Orleans

Strengths: Plays with a chip on his shoulder, versatile offensive game, proven winner

Weaknesses: Low upside, average athleticism

Bust Potential: Low

24. Isaiah Hartenstein, F/C, Germany

Projection: 26th to Portland

Strengths: Fantastic potential, very good shooter, fast learner

Weaknesses: Very young & inexperienced, prone to defensive lapses

Bust Potential: Moderate

25. Caleb Swanigan, F/C, Purdue

Projection: 31st to Atlanta

Strengths: Fantastic college player, overpowers opponents with his size, underrated shooter

Weaknesses: Average upside, not very mobile, mediocre defender

Bust Potential: Low

26. Kyle Kuzma, F, Utah

Projection: 38th to Chicago

Strengths: Great defender, great finisher around the rim, provides terrific energy

Weaknesses: Average upside, not a great shooter

Bust Potential: Low

27. Bam Adebayo, C, Kentucky

Projection: 19th to Atlanta

Strengths: Incredibly strong, powerful finisher, good rebounder

Weaknesses: Very limited offensive game, poor at free throw line

Bust Potential: Moderate

28. Semi Ojeleye, F, SMU

Projection: 25th to Orlando

Strengths: Exceptional athlete, great defender, weapon in transition

Weaknesses: Prone to turnovers, poor jump shot

Bust Potential: Moderate

29. Jawun Evans, PG, Oklahoma State

Projection: 23rd to Toronto

Strengths: Fantastic playmaker, incredibly quick, fearless offensive player

Weaknesses: Poor defender, poor jumper, leadership questions

Bust Potential: Moderate

30. Tony Bradley, C, North Carolina

Projection: 28th to Los Angeles Lakers

Strengths: Impressive size, good shot-blocker, offensive upside

Weaknesses: Very unproven, very raw

Bust Potential: High

31. Jonah Bolden, F, Australia

Projection: 34th to Sacramento

Strengths: Versatile, incredibly strong, effective rebounder

Weaknesses: Unfocused at times, struggles in college

Bust Potential: High

32. D.J. Wilson, F/C, Michigan

Projection: 24th to Utah

Strengths: Terrific athlete, quick learner, showed ability to hit three-pointer

Weaknesses: Needs to add muscle, poor defender

Bust Potential: Moderate

33. Derrick White, G, Colorado

Projection: 32nd to Phoenix

Strengths: Ideal size, good decision-maker, rock-solid defender

Weaknesses: Average upside, won't wow anyone with physical tools

Bust Potential: Low

34. Dwayne Bacon, G, Florida State

Projection: 36th to Philadelphia

Strengths: Can score in bunches, very dangerous from deep, good size

Weaknesses: Poor defender, turnover-prone, sometimes overconfident

Bust Potential: Moderate

35. Frank Jackson, G, Duke

Projection: 30th to Utah

Strengths: Fabulous shooter, underrated defender, plenty of upside

Weaknesses: Tweener, leadership questions

Bust Potential: Moderate

36. Anzejs Pasecniks, C, Latvia

Projection: 41st to Charlotte

Strengths: Incredible size, decent shot-blocker, solid jump shot

Weaknesses: Very untested, will need significant time to adjust to NBA speed

Bust Potential: High

37. Ivan Rabb, F/C, California

Projection: 29th to San Antonio

Strengths: Spaces the floor very well, versatile offensively

Weaknesses: Not very big, average upside

Bust Potential: Moderate

38. Tyler Lydon, F, Syracuse

Projection: 33rd to Orlando

Strengths: Very good shooter, plenty of potential, very mobile

Weaknesses: Not very big, wildly inconsistent

Bust Potential: Moderate

39. Wesley Iwundu, G/F, Kansas State

Projection: 43rd to Houston

Strengths: Can play multiple positions, polished offensive game, great at getting to the rim

Weaknesses: Streaky shooter, average defender

Bust Potential: Low

40. Frank Mason, PG, Kansas

Projection: 49th to Denver

Strengths: Superb leader, incredibly durable, excellent decision-maker

Weaknesses: Very little long-term potential, extremely undersized

Bust Potential: Low