2017 NBA LOTTERY MOCK DRAFT : NEW YORK KNICKS LAND FUTURE FRANCHISE PG

This year's NBA draft promises to be one of the more intriguing in recent past. This draft is loaded with projected potential star backcourt players like Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, De'Aaron Fox, and Malik Monk. The teams in the top 10 should all benefit from a high ceiling prospect and one team will have a interesting and polarizing player in UCLA PG Lonzo Ball. He has a game that reminds folks of Jason Kidd and Magic Johnson but has the baggage to make him an infamous star in the league for a long time to come. I feel this draft will produce the next generation elites 5 years in the future and the Knicks will add their best backcourt prospect since Michael Ray Richardson. Here's my 2017 NBA Lottery Mock Draft.

1. Boston Celtics – Markelle Fultz PG-SG / HT:6'4 / WT:195 / AGE:19 / COLLEGE:Washington
   Pro Comparison: James Harden, Brandon Roy
   Fultz has all the tools to become a top 5 player in the NBA with maturity. I believe he is the best pick for the Boston Celtics because in my opinion he is the most complete prospect in this draft. I see drafting him creating a potentially potent future with Boston's high lottery pick from last year Jaylen Brown. Fultz can play either guard positions which makes him a workable fit with current Boston backcourt star Isiah Thomas.
2. LA Lakers – Lonzo Ball PG / HT:6'6 / WT:190 / AGE:19 / COLLEGE: UCLA
   Pro Comparison: Jason Kidd, Penny Hardaway
   In my opinion Lonzo Ball is the best pro prospect in this year's NBA draft. While Markelle Fultz is a maybe more skilled talent at this point, Ball has transcendent gifts that can make for a better professional career with more impact on and off the basketball court. This would be and probably is a divine sent pick for the Lakers and for Lonzo and his polarizing yet great Dad Lavar Ball. It's a match made in heaven for both parties and could quickly create one of the most fun teams to watch in the NBA for years to come. He has a chance to be a rare player like Jason kidd or Magic Johnson and my bet is will be this Generation's quintessential Floor General.
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Josh Jackson SF / HT:6'8 / WT:200 / AGE:20 / COLLEGE: Kansas
   Pro Comparison: Tracy McGrady, Jimmy Butler
   This is where the draft will likely really get started. The Sixers can go a few ways with this pick. I do feel that the Sixers will take a strong look at Malik Monk for this pick due to his elite and explosive scoring abilities that could make a great match with Sixers top pick of last year point-forward Ben Simmons. Josh Jackson has the tools to be an elite player at both sides of the ball maybe something of a poor mans Kawhi Leonard. He is more situated currently to become a Jimmy Butler at this point but in the right situation I believe he has Tracy McGrady upside.
4. Phoenix Suns – Jayson Tatum SF / HT:6'8 / WT:205 / AGE:19 / COLLEGE: Duke
   Pro Comparison: Danny Granger, Rashard Lewis
   The Suns will be very happy to add a high ceiling wing perimeter player to go with their already young dynamic backcourt in Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker. This choice in my opinion is fairly cut and dry with my feeling the decision comes down to who is available between Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum at this pick. Tatum is a skilled wing with a very polished offensive game considering his age and stage at this point. He projects to be a very good player with the ability to at least score the ball at the next level. I have also seen a few mock drafts having the Suns take De'Aaron Fox with this pick, and that's also possible because Fox is appearing to be that good, or too good to pass on.
5. Sacramento Kings – De'Aaron Fox PG / HT:6'4 / WT:170 / AGE:19 / COLLEGE: Kentucky
   Pro Comparison: Mike Conley, John Wall
   The Kings will have to do their homework here. While many believe you can easily take Fox here, I believe as a good GM and Team Evaluator the Kings need to take strong looks into Dennis Smith and Malik Monk. I do feel the pick comes down to Fox or Dennis Smith, without pre-draft workouts held as of yet, that gives Fox currently the edge. Fox is easily the fastest guy in the draft and projects to be a dynamic player on the next level at both sides of the court. He's lighting quick, rangy long arms, with wiry length, and quick-twit speed and explosive athleticism. He has also shown great character and competitiveness throughout the draft process which I believe GM'S, scouts, and coaches alike will love. I believe he projects to be one of the two or three for sure potential Franchise faces in this draft.
6. Orlando Magic – Dennis Smith Jr PG / HT:6'3 / WT:195 / AGE:19 / COLLEGE: NC State
   Pro Comparison: Kyle Lowry, Steve Francis
   The Magic in my opinion have maybe the hardest decision to make in this year's draft. With at least 3 solid prospects they can go with at this selection makes for an intriguing spot in this year's draft. They will most likely toggle between Malik Monk, Jonathan Issac, and Dennis Smith. I'm leaning toward Dennis Smith at this pick because the Magic drafted a top 5 wing prospect in Mario Hezonja in 2015 and Smith was projected as a top 3 pick for most of this college season. Smith has as much talent as any player in this draft, the reason he drops is the knee injury he suffered in high school. Smith has all the offensive tools, can run the point and score from all three levels. He's extremely explosive despite the injury like a young Steve Francis but his game is most comparable to early Baron Davis mix with Kyle Lowry. Orlando would gain the face of the Franchise for the coming years with this pick in Smith.
7. Minnesota T'Wolves – Jonathan Issac SF-PF/HT:6'10/WT:210/ AGE:19/ COLLEGE:Florida St
   Pro Comparison: Robert Horry, Marvin Williams
   The Wolves I believe would be very happy to land Jonathan Issac here. With the Wolves already being very set at the guards and wings they will look to pair a frontcourt partner with Karl Anthony-Towns. Issac has great potential and is one of the youngest and rawest talents in this year's draft. He can shoot the ball from outside but will need to find more consistency with his shot at the next level to be a reliable shooter. He does have rare athletic/physical tools and can mature to a elite defensive playmaker under Wolves defensive guru coach Tom Thibodeau.
8. NEW YORK KNICKS – FRANK NTILIKINA PG-SG/HT:6'6/WT:170/AGE:18/INT: France
   Pro Comparison: George Hill, Gary Payton
   The Knicks this year will be looking to add a perimeter player that can mesh well with their budding star Kristaps Porzingis. The Knicks will most likely be taking strong looks at Dennis Smith, Malik Monk, and the international prospect Frank Ntilikina. Chances are one of these players will be gone by this pick which can make the decision a bit easier on Phil and the knicks front office. I do believe the Knicks are in a great position to get a prospect that will fit well with what they are building in New York. I believe Frank Ntilikina is the best choice and fit for the New York Knicks. Ntilikina checks off all the boxes of a lead guard in the Triangle Offense. He posses a pass-first PG mentality, great court vision, a high basketball IQ for a very young player, and the ability to shoot well from the outside. What makes Ntilikina special though is his potential on the defensive end, with rare physical tools with a 6'6 frame and rumored 7'0 wingspan, he has the potential to be a Kawhi Leonard/ Gary Payton like supreme lockdown defender. He's shown great pedigree by playing professionally since 15, playing with a French team that perennially competes for championships in the French league, contributing while in back to back years now winning the French pro league Rising Star, an award players like Tony Parker and Nicholas Batum previously won. Ntilikina in my opinion would probably be a top 5 pick in most any year's draft, so Phil Jackson and the Knicks might benefit from an international prospect again like they did in 2015 with Kristaps Porzingis. The knocks on Ntilikina revolve around similar criticisms of Porzingis like his skinny size, softness/timidness and relative lack of film against higher level competition. He is the youngest player in the draft and will take time to mature in the League. However who does get Frank, I believe will get the best perimeter defender in the draft and possibly for many years to come in the NBA.
9. Dallas Mavericks – Malik Monk SG / HT:6'3 / WT:190 / AGE:19 / COLLEGE: Kentucky
   Pro Comparison: Lou Williams, Eric Gordon
   I believe that Dallas might approach this pick with the “best player available” take. Given the way I have predicted the draft so far, it's only logical that Dallas would jump at the opportunity to get Kentucky's flame thrower Malik Monk. However I also believe Mark Cuban and the Mav's will take a strong look at Arizona's Lauri Markkanen as a possibly perfect successor to Mavericks Legend Dirk Nowitzki. Monk is a great fit for the Mavericks, he would give the Mav's a dynamic scorer to go along with their wings Harrison Barnes, Seth Curry, and their defensive minded Big Nerlens Noel. I also have a feeling the Mavericks might want to trade up to possible get Monks's former college teammate De'Aaron Fox or NC State star guard Dennis Smith. Monk is arguably this draft's most explosive scorer. He has put big big numbers in games playing at Kentucky for coach Calipari on the biggest stages college has to offer while making some of college's most clutch shots this past season. I feel he projects on the next level to be a more than a capable scorer or a great sixth man.
10. Sacramento Kings – Lauri Markkanen PF-C/ HT:7'0 / WT:225 / AGE:20/ COLLEGE:Arizona
    Pro Comparison: Ryan Anderson, Channing Frye
    I believe the Kings will take a Franchise PG with their first top 10 pick, so I'm assured they will address the frontcourt with this selection if they don't trade this pick. If they do keep the pick I think the best fit would be smooth-stroking Big Man Lauri Markanen from Arizona. He posses a great jump shot, possibly the best shot in the draft. He could make a good frontcourt pairing with Willie Cauley-Stein. His shooting stroke and polished offensive skill set as a stretch big are very similar to Ryan Anderson and would make him ideal in today's NBA.
11. Charlotte Hornets – Justin Patton C/ HT:6'11 / WT:225/ AGE:20 / COLLEGE: Creighton
    Pro Comparison: Theo Ratliff, Elden Campbell
    I believe this pick could push the Hornets from being a middle of the pack team to a perennial playoff participant. Justin Patton is very raw but has a very intriguing skill set for the modern NBA big and for what the Hornets need. The Hornets have great wing players in Kemba Walker, Nicholas Batum, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but are in need for a more impactful Big. Patton posses a very smooth jumper that can work well with Walker off pick and roll and with Batum pick and pop. He also runs the floor exceptionally well which will allow him with his shooting ability to help spread the floor for the Hornets wing players. In college he played similar to a poor man's T'Wolves Karl Anthony-Towns. I see other mock drafts having Charlotte taking Gonzaga young freshman Forward John Collins here, but I feel his skill set is too close to the Hornets 2015 pick of Frank Kaminsky for that pick to make a great impact on their team's progress. Patton has great potential but I believe his NBA Career will be highly determined on what situation he lands in.
12. Detroit Pistons – Donovan Mitchell PG/ HT:6'3/ WT:210/ AGE:20 / COLLEGE: Louisville
    Pro Comparison: Gary Harris, Marcus Smart
    With the 12^th pick in the 2017 NBA draft I see Detroit Pistons Stan Van Gundy taking Donovan Mitchell. If Frank Ntilkina slides this far I feel the Pistons jump at the opportunity to select him. However Mitchell is another excellent prospect whose defensive skills is more his asset than his offense. He also sports great physical tools with a 6'3 frame and a 6'10 wingspan. He definitely gets after it, has a Marcus Smart caliber competitor motor and brings a very passionate winning mentality to the game which I feel Van Gundy values. He will be able to guard and affect PG's and SG's alike from day one in the NBA, he can become a defensive specialist or step in for Detroit Pistons current PG Reggie Jackson if Jackson is unable to return to playing at his playing level pre-injury. In my opinion Donovan Mitchell makes for a great fit for Detroit Pistons.
13. Denver Nuggets – Justin Jackson SF/ HT:6'8/ WT:195 / AGE:22/ COLLEGE: UNC
    Pro Comparison: Mike Dunleavy JR, Tobias Harris
    Denver can go many many directions with this selection in the draft. Denver already sports a fairly deep and talented roster. To which they had to dump stud Bigman Jusuf Nurkic to portland last year. I believe with Denver swingman Danillo Gallinari heading for free agency and SF Wilson Candler not to far off, I feel Jackson is the pick for Denver. I feel it might be wise for Denver to select Jackson to groom to possible replace Gallinari or Candler. Jackson is a very mature player at age 22 coming off his Junior season at the Basketball powerhouse North Carolina University. He developed his game in his time at UNC, played big in huge moments for the eventual college champion this year, and proved he can score the ball in a number of different ways. This could be a very solid pick for Denver, but they can go many directions comfortably here.
14. Miami Heat – Harry Giles PF/ HT:6'11 / WT:220 / AGE:19 / COLLEGE: DUKE
    Pro Comparison: Julius Randle, Bobby Portis
    At number 14, the draft can begin to get very interesting. With Miami having a abundance of choices it can effect many other teams draft boards by how Pat Riley and the heat choose here. Giles was once being compared to next coming of Amare Stoudemire, tagged as a sure fire top pick in this years draft but unfortunately recent knee injuries has slowed that once blinding potential. However at age 19 and today's medical advancements, there's still a great chance he becomes a very very special NBA player. Because of just that “potential', it might be hard for Pat Riley to pass up on this talent to go alongside his Franchise Bigman Hassan Whiteside and replace former Miami great PF Chris Bosh. At this position there other very intriguing PF prospects, like Gonzaga John Collins, and Wake Forest's John Collins. Both have great potential without the medical baggage, but might not have Giles like upside. With Pat Riley still at the helm, maybe he swings for the fences here with Harry Giles.