Future Watch: 2017 NBA Draft Recap, Most NBA-Ready Players – The depth of talent in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft was nearly unprecedented. The number of NBA-ready players should make for an exciting season both on the court and off. Collectors will have a wealth of rookies to chase when the first NBA licensed basketball card products of the 2017-18 NBA season release in the coming months.
Big market teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76’ers are poised to take the next steps in their team’s respective re-building process. Fans in Philly are particularly excited about the prospect of finally being in a position to return to prominence in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
All of these things bode well for the 2017-18 NBA collecting season. While there won’t be any new cardboard for a few months, it’s never to early to start getting a better understanding of the players that will undoubtedly be “hot-pulls” in the coming months.
Future Watch: 2017 NBA Draft Recap – First Round Results
- Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz (G) – Washington
- Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball (G) – UCLA
- Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum (F) – Duke
- Phoenix Suns: Josh Jackson (F) – Kansas
- Sacramento Kings: DeAaron Fox (G) – Kentucky
- Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac (F) – Florida State
- Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen (F) – Arizona
- New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina (G) – France
- Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr. (G) – NC State
- Portland Trail Blazers: Zach Collins (F/C) – Gonzaga
- Charlotte Hornets: Malik Monk (G) – Kentucky
- Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard (G) – Duke
- Utah Jazz: Donovan Mitchell (G) – Louisville
- Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo (C) – Kentucky
- Sacramento Kings: Justin Jackson (F) – UNC
- Chicago Bulls: Justin Patton (C) – Creighton
- Milwaukee Bucks: DJ Wilson (F/C) – Michigan
- Indiana Pacers: TJ Leaf (F/C) – UCLA
- Atlanta Hawks: John Collins (F) – Wake Forest
- Sacramento Kings: Harry Giles (F/C) – Duke
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Terrance Ferguson (F) – Australia
- Brooklyn Nets: Jarrett Allen (C) – Texas
- Toronto Raptors: OG Anunoby (F) – Indiana
- Denver Nuggets: Tyler Lydon (F) – Syracuse
- Philadelphia 76ers: Andzejs Pasecniks (C) – Latvia
- Portland Trail Blazers: Caleb Swanigan (PF) – Purdue
- Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma (F) – Utah
- Utah Jazz: Tony Bradley (C) – North Carolina
- San Antonio Spurs: Derrick White (G) – Colorado
- Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Hart (G) – Villanova
Future Watch: 2017 NBA Draft Recap, Most NBA-Ready Players – Top 10
1. Markelle Fultz (G) – Philadelphia 76ers, 1st Overall
Fultz joins a 76’ers team loaded with you talent. With Ben Simmons and Darlo Saric, Philadelphia has a core group in place that the front-office hopes leads them back to post-season glory.
He’s an upright dribbler at the top of his move who wins almost entirely with his actual handle by way of change of speed and direction shiftiness, deception, flexibility and the ability to pull-up on a dime going any direction, at any moment. – via Step Back
2. Josh Jackson (F) – Phoenix Suns, 4th Overall
The Suns had to be thrilled when this NBA-ready defender fell in their lap. While still improving offensively, he has shut-down defensive skills that are an over-looked asset in today’s run-and-gun NBA.
Offensively, Jackson is still at his best attacking the rim off the dribble either in the halfcourt or in transition. His floater in the lane is going to be a real weapon for him against the rim protectors that he’ll face on a nightly basis in the NBA. – via Step Back
3. Jayson Tatum (F) – Boston Celtics, 3rd Overall
Tatum has a diverse skill-set that could have seen him go number one overall in any other draft year. He will fit in perfectly with the Celtic’s system. His ability to rebound the ball, playing multiple positions will be a huge asset for the team.
A 6-foot-8 silky scoring wing, Tatum has an old-school offensive game, but his outside shooting could limit him. – via Step Back
4. Malik Monk (G) – Charlotte Hornets, 11th Overall
One of the most prolific, pure-scorers of the draft class, Monk can create his own shot from anywhere on the court. He is not afraid to drive to the basket off the-dribble. However, it is his reliable and consistent shooting ability that will see him on the NBA hardwood sooner than later.
Monk is the best pure shooter in the draft. He’s small for a two-guard, and doesn’t do much outside of scoring, but he has outstanding athleticism and intangibles. – via Step Back
5. Dennis Smith Jr. (G) – Dallas Mavericks, 9th Overall
A quick, aggressive ball-handler, he makes split second decisions based on his overall athleticism. A competent scorer, Smith Jr. will be a real solid addition to the Mavericks back-court. Once he increases his shooting percentage from 3-point range, he has the capability of being an elite NBA player.
Smith has a number of ways to create space in his toolbox, both on drives to the basket and to get to his jump shot. What really stands out about Smith on tape is he loves driving left, which makes sense because it’s easier for him to pull-up attacking left, creating a deadly multi-level threat. – via Step Back
6. Lonzo Ball (PG) – Los Angeles Lakers, 2nd Overall
Lavar Ball did his job by creating sensational media hype for his son leading up to the draft. No its Lonzo’s turn to put his money where his father’s mouth is. Fortunately for Lakers’ fans, the young star is more than up to the task. He truly is a well-rounded player that can do it all on the court.
Ball’s court vision and size are awesome, and he was college basketball’s most productive passer. But can he create enough for himself to be an elite point guard? – via Step Back
7. DeAaron Fox (G) – Sacramento Kings, 5th Overall
Fox’s athleticism allows him to create his own shot. However, the Kings are hoping that he can greatly improve his 3-point shooting percentage. He has big-play capability but needs to work on his perimeter shooting to be truly effective at the position.
Fox likely wont have trouble creating space for his shot at next level (unless he’s pressured and off balance) because space will be afforded to him by opposing defenses, but he still has the ability to elevate over smaller guards to shoot over contests if need be. – via Step Back
8. Jonathan Isaac (F) – Orlando Magic, 6th Overall
The Magic took a chance selecting Isaac at number six. He may not be as NBA-ready as other players in the draft or even on this particular list. However, he is considered by many to have the most upside of any players selected in the first round. Size, athleticism and potential are characteristics that all experts used when describing him.
A future super-role player at the three and four at the NBA level. May have the ball-creation skills to be something more, but needs development to get there. – via Step Back
9. Lauri Markkanen (F) – Chicago Bulls, 7th Overall
The Chicago Bulls have always seemed to have a fascination with this “type” of player. Tall, perimeter players who can shoot the three. They are also really hoping he can emulate some of Dirk Nowitzki’s other skills. This is particularly true on the defensive-end of the court.
He’s a big man who has outlier floor spacing prowess and insane fluidity shooting off the dribble for his size…However, due to lack of length (reported 7-foot wingspan) and vertical explosion Markkanen is a minus interior defender, and interior defense is the lifeblood of any NBA big man. – via Step Back
10. Justin Jackson (F) – Sacramento Kings, 15th Overall
Another all-around player with a high ceiling, Jackson adds depth to a young Kings team. An often over-used phrase, “all-around” however, in Jackson’s case the characteristic truly fits.
One season of lethal shooting could be construed as an aberration, but all indications point to Justin Jackson, the marksman, being here to stay. – via Step Back
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