National Basketball Association

2017 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With the college basketball season firmly underway, it’s time to once again look at the best of the 2017 NBA Draft crop.

The future of the Philadelphia 76ers has brightened considerably after three years of stockpiling NBA Draft picks. But picks are simply currency. What’s for sale?

And so, it’s that time again.

It’s time to look ahead to the highly-touted 2017 NBA Draft class, and rank some of the prospects that could be at the forefront of the conversation come June next year. The Philadelphia 76ers hold a prominent stake in the draft already, with the potential of two lottery picks to help pad the rotation long term.

The 2017 class is unique a number of ways. But one thing certainly stands out above the rest – the sheer level of talent possessed towards the top. There are countless players with legitimately high NBA value, waiting patiently for their turn, their dream, to happen.

This is a Sixers team that has found some sturdy building blocks already in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, with the likes of Dario Saric, Jahlil Okafor, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot providing a solid foundation of youthful talent behind them. That, however, doesn’t mean that this draft couldn’t quite easily become the Sixers’ most important yet.

Brett Brown stated rather candidly that Ben Simmons will play point guard when he returns to the court. That opens up some exciting options this offseason. We could see the team go for unique versatility with some of the uniquely skilled guards at the top, or we may see the team delve into more wing or interior talent to sure up the rotation long term around Simmons at the one.

The team may even expand upon the Tall Ball concept showcased when Jahlil Okafor finally joined Joel Embiid on a basketball court.

Regardless of where the Sixers take it, there’s a lot of upside throughout the 2017 NBA Draft board — and any reasonable NBA fan find some level of excitement in projecting some of these talents at the next level.

You can read my last big board here.

But, without further ado, here is my fresh top 30 for the current NBA Draft class.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

30. PG Shake Milton, SMU

Height/Weight: 6-5, 195 lbs

If we’re making these rankings based on physical tools alone, Milton would be slotted much higher. Standing at 6-5 with a whopping 7-foot wingspan, Milton’s frame is incredibly well-built for a potential point guard at the NBA level. The concerns simply emerge when you analyze how he utilizes those physical tools from game to game.

Milton’s most pressing issue heading to the NBA is going to be consistency. He struggles to remain aggressive on the offensive side of the ball at times, and is a somewhat streaky shooter from deep — tallying a percentage of 31 thus far in his sophomore campaign. He’s more of a scoring-oriented point guard as it stands, and is a slithery scorer with ample upside, it’s just a matter of producing on a nightly basis.

Defensively, Milton has all that tools to excel as well. His size and wingspan set him up to be fully capable of guarding either backcourt position, and his athleticism is at a high enough level to translate immediately to the NBA. Once again, the concern here boils down to consistency. His effort isn’t always at it’s best, and he needs to iron out some of his fundamentals on the defensive end in order to excel in the NBA.

29. SG Melo Trimble, Maryland

Height/Weight: 6-3, 192 lbs

Oh, how the giants fall. Trimble was largely considered a lottery talent entering last season, only to drop to near-irrelevancy in a campaign plagued with inconsistency. Now the undersized two-guard has some sizable ground to make up in regards to his draft stock, but the potential is still there to pan out as a nice piece at the next level.

Trimble’s proverbial bread and butter lies on the offensive side of the ball, as his perimeter scoring is among the most prolific threats in college ball when he’s on. Through 6 games with the Terps this season, Trimble is averaging over 23 points per contest, and shooting above 50 percent from the field as a whole. He has an innate ability to change speeds and find shots on the offensive side of the ball, and if he can continue to operate at the level he currently is, I expect his stock to rise around the board.

Whether or not he proves himself capable of switching over to the point guard position at the next level could also have a fairly large bearing on where his draft stock falls heading into 2017. He hasn’t shown the utmost development as a passer, and therefore projects more as a shooting guard for the time being — a concern given that he barely measures out at 6-2.5 with a 6-2 wingspan. He’s an incredible scoring spark in just about any scenario, but it’s how the remainder of his game develops that will determine his slot on draft night.

28. C Thomas Bryant, Indiana

Height/Weight: 6-10, 241 lbs

As one of the largest fallers on this big board, Bryant has tumbled from the high teens to the low 20s. Standing at 6-10 with a strong frame, the physical tools aren’t what’s holding Bryant back — it’s his ability to piece together the different abilities he has into a workable game on a nightly basis. We’ve seen some improvement in terms of offensive versatility, but he’s still consistent outside the paint, and has defensive woes to boot.

Being the high-energy player that he is, there should be several easily-transferable aspects of his game in regards to the NBA. He can rebound the ball at a high level around the basket, and his defensive concerns at the very least aren’t caused by a lack of desire. He’s willing to go after the ball and match the highest levels of physicality around the basket, and that’s likely his calling card heading to the next level for the time being.

Bryant has showed flashes of shooting the ball from deep — a huge, huge development in his game — but it’s not necessarily something teams in the NBA can rely on yet. He’s hitting 1 per game at the moment, but that may be an unsustainable pace, and his lack of polish elsewhere is still a major limitation. He also wanders into pointless fouls and defensive mishaps on a regular basis, and needs to make some major strides in that respect to project as a solid defender at the NBA level, even if his energy is far from lacking.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

27. PG Devonte’ Graham, Kansas

Height/Weight: 6-2, 175 lbs

While Graham has emerged as a clear second fiddle to Frank Mason III in the Kansas backcourt, he still projects much better as an NBA talent. With excellent athleticism for the point guard spot at the next level, Graham has showcased nice prowess both with and without the ball in his hands this season, although his ceiling may not be overly exciting in the long run.

Graham’s production at the next level will come mostly from the outside, as he finds his greatest success dribbling off of screens or popping out to the perimeter as an off-ball scorer. He could certainly benefit from some more consistency from 3-point range, but has a nice compact stroke and is still managing to shoot over 32 percent from deep in relatively high volume thus far. Graham also finishes well around the rim given his strength, and is an apt slasher when he wants to be.

In terms of how he’ll pan out at the next level, Graham seems almost tailor-made to find success as a quality backup point guard. He can bring excellent energy off the bench when needed, and is the type of inside-out scorer that could work nicely as a reserve at the next level. Will he start? No, but that’s hardly the case when you’re in the lower 20’s of any draft class — even ones this deep. Graham is a solid, solid NBA prospect, and somebody to keep an eye on being that he’s on a highly competitive Kansas Jayhawks team.

26. SG Diego Flaccadori, Trento

Height/Weight: 6-5, 172 lbs

Flaccadori is a fresh face to any NBA draft conversation, but he brings a lot of intriguing attributes to the table. At 6-5, he’s a smooth perimeter shooter with nice athleticism on the outside and a perimeter stroke that should bode well in an NBA transition. His most pressing concern as of now is his lack of strength on the wing, but given his confidence and the time he still has to fill out, there’s a lot to like about the 20-year-old Italian.

There’s quite a bit Flaccadori has shown himself capable of on the offensive end, and that type of versatility is always a bonus come draft night. He has spent legitimate time as the primary playmaker for some of the teams he has been a part of, and combines a nice touch passing the ball with his innate scoring ability. He’s a smooth athlete, and although he won’t explode the rim often, he gets into the teeth of the defense and excels at finding his spots on the floor.

He’s a confident, albeit streaky, shooter from deep, but also finds extensive success off the dribble from midrange. When he does find his way to the basket, Flaccadori has also shown some flashes of highly finesse finishes around the rim, and his ability to pass the ball in stride further ups his stock. If there’s anyway Flaccadori could project as a full-time point guard at the next level, I expect to see his stock soar firmly into the top 30 across the spectrum of NBA Draft coverage come draft night.

More from The Sixer Sense

25. C Jonathan Jeanne, Le Mans

Height/Weight: 7-2, 195 lbs

I’ve called him the French Thon Maker a handful of times, and the comparison is still eerily fitting. Jeanne is a freaking athlete at 7-2, but remains painfully thin in build. He’s easily to bully around in the paint, and is several years away from being a consistently productive NBA player — but the tremendous upside still resides.

There aren’t many players with Jeanne’s height and length that can move around the court as fluidly as he’s capable of, making him a highly unique matchup for opposing defenses. He can handle the ball on the perimeter from time to time, and has the very beginning stages of what could develop into a very impressive scoring game off the dribble. In the post, he has nice touch — it’s just a matter of him finding ways to get solid positioning, something he won’t be able to much until he fills out. He also has a legitimate 3-point shot in the works, another boost to the stock of one of the most intriguing draft prospects you’ll come accross.

His defensive upside as a shot blocker is obvious, as his 7-2 frame is complimented by an equally-as-freaky 7-7 wingspan. He can eat up a lot of space around the rim and get his hands on shots at a noticeably high clip, something that could translate to the next level in a big way if he finds a way to fill out that ultra-thin frame. He moves his feet well and is one heckuva athlete, he just needs time — and a lot of it. Consider him the Maker-esque gamble of the 2017 NBA Draft class.

Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

24. SG Terrance Ferguson, Adelaide

Height/Weight: 6-7, 186 lbs

Ferguson made the surprising decision to forgo a season of college ball in favor of playing overseas in Australia, signing a professional deal with the Adelaide 36ers. As a McDonald’s All-American coming out of high school, there’s obvious potential here, as the 6-7 wingman has no shortage of athleticism that he puts to use in ample doses on both sides of the ball.

There’s still a lot of room for Ferguson to grow on the offensive side of the ball, but he has shown plenty of flashes as a prospect. He’s incredibly explosive off the bounce, and can get to the rim with ease when presented with the opportunity. He’s a tough cover running in transition as well, and utilizes his speed and length to simply overwhelm defenders at times when he gets going at the rim full speed. Ferguson is also a skilled slasher in the halfcourt, although his finishing touch–when not throwing down an awe-inspiring dunk–is still a work in progress at times.

Defensively, Ferguson’s lack of awareness isn’t much of a concern given his age, but it’s the only thing holding him back from being an elite talent on that side of the ball. He has the size and tools necessary to cover any position on the perimeter, and has the instinctive nature needed to find his way into passing lanes and get the ball going in the opposite direction. He’s an incredible athletic specimen and somebody with a lot of two-way potential if he can improve his perimeter jumper and put some of the loose pieces of the proverbial puzzle into place.

23. SF Tyler Lydon, Syracuse

Height/Weight: 6-9, 205 lbs

As someone whose stock rose greatly during last year’s tournament, Lydon is primed to emerge as a quality draft prospect over the course of his sophomore season with the Orange. Standing at 6-9, he’s somewhat of a tweener when it comes to positioning, but brings a level of skill and versatility that could be a nice asset at the next level, at either forward position.

Lydon’s most consistent contributions as of right now come on the perimeter, where he’s a skilled outside shooter and with excellent offensive instincts. When looking at him in terms of a potential stretch-four in time, Lydon’s ability to spot-up with tremendous efficiency from deep (shooting 50% through 5 games) and his intelligence playing within the offense are highly promising. He’s not going to do anything extraordinary with the ball in his hands, but he rotates around the court extremely well and operates well within a number of offensive sets. His size and shooting touch come in a nice combination, and he has the fluidity of motion to potentially man either forward spot at the next level.

Lydon’s frame is still filling out, and with time that should translate into him becoming an apt stopgap defender at the next level. He can get beat on the outside at times right now, but has excellent quickness in chasing down blocks around the basket, and has the foot speed needed to improve as his fundamentals are ironed out.

22. PF Isaiah Hartenstein, Zalgiris

Height/Weight: 6-11, 225 lbs

In somewhat of a break from an NBA Draft analysis of foreign big men, Hartenstein utilizes his strength more so than his finesse to excel on the offensive side of the ball. With a solid 6-11 frame in tact, Hartenstein’s ability to work his way into the paint and carve out space with impressive fundamentals, as well as smooth athleticism is highly intriguing.

The German big man’s biggest concerns circulate around his approach to the game at this point, as his lackluster defensive effort and suspect feel for the game offensively can sometimes jeopardize the most beneficial aspects of his game. He showcases impressive quickness from the perimeter to the basket when he wants to, and has a nice set of post moves that he’s comfortable falling back on when he works his way into the paint. He can overexert himself at times, which leads to turnovers, but he has all the tools to carve out a nice niche as an interior scorer at the next level. His jumper, although still in the works, has also shown signs of being effective–making a stretch four profile a real possibility.

Defensively, he has the right size and mobility of an apt interior defender, he simply hasn’t committed to becoming one yet. He gets lost on assignments at times and can get visibly out of rhythm on the defensive end as a result. Conversely, he has great instincts on the boards and a lot of real potential defensively. In the end, it boils down to effort, rather than skill, when looking at Hartenstein.

He has the talent necessary to be significantly higher than this, and if he can make the right improvements this season with Zalgiris. We may see him crack the lottery conversation come draft night.

Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

21. SG Grayson Allen, Duke

Height/Weight: 6-4, 185 lbs

If there’s one thing Grayson Allen is capable of doing, it’s score the basketball. The junior made the unexpected decision to return for yet another campaign with the Blue Devils, and is primed to lead what will eventually be a loaded Duke rotation. Standing at 6-4, Allen’s athleticism and never-lacking energy make him a nice spark plug at the two-spot heading into the NBA.

Allen hasn’t developed into the type of passer most teams want at the point guard spot, so I’ll continue to slot him where he belongs–as a two-guard. Whether it’s off the dribble or as a spot-up shooter, Allen has an incredible knack for scoring the basketball. He’s a proficient 3-point shooter, although he percentage has dipped to just 30% this season due to a ridiculous volume of shots. He operates well at different speeds, and is capable pulling up from nearly any spot on the floor. He has a history of knocking down tough shots, and a lot of that boils down to his undeniable sense of confidence more so than luck at this point.

Allen’s defensive game hinges on that same confidence, as he’s an energetic multi-guard defender who is of the belief that he can single-handedly control whoever he’s put up against. He’s not the same, ultra-competitive body that J.J. Redick was at Duke when you listen to him speak, but his play follows much of the same tendencies. He’s willing to get in the grill of the opposition’s best player and fight with unabridged effort for the full extent of the game. When it comes to plug-in scorers at the next level, Allen projects incredibly well.

20. SG Kostja Mushidi, Mega Leks

Height/Weight: 6-5, 210 lbs

As another new face here, Mushidi has risen on many boards as of late with his name filing into the conversation. Taking the same route that Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot did in shifting from a French league to Mega Leks in Serbia, Mushidi is primed to be a featured weapon in a high-octane offense, and has all the physical tools needed to emerge as one of the better international prospects in the draft.

At 6-5 with a solid 210-pound frame, Mushidi is exceptionally well built for the wing. He’s an explosive athlete around the rim, and has the strength and lateral speed needed to defend all three perimeter positions at the next level. He’s still somewhat raw on the offensive side of the ball, but possesses a wealth of potential as both a slasher and a transition scorer. He finishes strong around the basket, and thrives when operating at a breakneck pace in the open court. His physicality makes him a difficult man to stay in front of, and his ability to play above the rim compounds that.

One of his biggest problems, as noted by DraftExpress, is his attitude. He gives incredible energy on both sides of the ball, but at times can go a bit overboard in regards to how passionate he gets. He’ll need to learn how to channel that to some extent at the next level in order to maintain success in such a physical league. His shooting stroke is also his main hindrance at this point. Additional security from deep would be a massive boost to his stock, as he has all the other tools to encompass a highly versatile wing at the NBA level.

19. PG Edmond Sumner, Xavier

Height/Weight: 6-5, 170 lbs

Sumner has established himself as a consistent riser on many NBA draft boards. As a matter of fact, the lengthy point guard has a strong blend of athletic tools and upside. That combination makes him one of the more interesting guard prospects to monitor in the midst of a loaded draft class.

While he hasn’t developed into the elite playmaker are looking for yet, he has certainly made tremendous strides–while retaining an excellent combination of scoring moves on the perimeter.

Sumner’s length and size on the perimeter translate very well to the point guard spot, which aids his appeal quite a bit for NBA scouts. He can read the defense with ease, and is able to utilize his size and quickness to create ample shooting space en route to the basket. He’s a dangerous shooter from midrange, and excels at getting to the rim and finishing through traffic. He possesses a notably soft touch around the rim, and finds immense success in coming off of screens and carving out space in the lane.

Defensively, the upside remains fairly obvious. He has all the physical tools needed to cover either guard spot successfully, it’s just a matter of continuing to fill out his frame. He has solid two-way awareness, and has continued to make significant strides in the fundamentals of his game during the early stages of his sophomore campaign. Sumner is shooting just 20% from deep through 6 games, however, which highlights what is his biggest concern heading into the NBA conversation. If he’s able to stabilize his outside shot a bit, he could feasibly continue to slide up these rankings.

Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

18. C Omer Yertseven, N.C. State

Height/Weight: 7-0, 228 lbs

Although he has been ineligible to start off the season, the international prospect-turned-N.C. State commit still holds a great deal of intrigue as a potential first round draft prospect. He’s not the most revolutionary talent in the post, but has mastered the fundamentals of the game extremely well, and presents the type of consistent two-way threat underneath that should interest several teams come 2017.

Yertseven’s greatest contribution early on will come with his effort on the boards, and area he more than excelled in during his days in Turkish junior leagues. He’s not an incredibly impressive athlete by any stretch, but he’s well built around the basket and possesses consistent energy on the glass–on both sides of the basketball. His instincts around the basket help him sniff out rebounds at a high clip, and he translates that consistently into second chance points on the offensive side of the ball as well. He’s a fluid athlete around the rim, and as he gets stronger, should find ample success as a rebounder.

Yertseven’s low post scoring is also another major positive, even if it’s more of a throwback style of play. He has an advanced set of moves he can rely on when operating on the block, and is a highly intelligent player when handling the ball with his back to the basket. Along with his nice for the game, Yertseven excels when stepping out to the perimeter and running the pick-and-roll, as his fludiity and touch around the rim allow him to carve out easy points in that manner. He has some room to grow defensively, but still projects as a solid shot blocker given his size, and should continue to improve in that respect as his fills out his frame in time.

17. C Jarrett Allen, Texas

Height/Weight: 6-11, 224 lbs

Allen hasn’t lit the world on fire per say, but he’s still a solid prospect in the low post. Like Yertseven, he’s not your modern day stretch five, but he’s a highly skilled scorer on the low block and possesses excellent two-way potential given his lengthy frame and ample athletic tools around the basket. With a 7-6 wingspan, few bigs can match the basic physical tools Allen provides, and his innate defensive prowess is something that’s bound to entice NBA scouts moving forwards.

As a fluid athlete with an excellent frame for the center spot, Allen’s defensive production is going to be his immediate calling card at the next level. He rotates well around the basket on that side of the ball, and has shown excellent timing as a shot blocker at the rim. He’s also a talented rebounding presence on both ends, and has the size needed to play above the rim with relative ease when needed. His offensive game is still limited outside the post, but his touch around the rim is worth noting. He has a number of strong finishing moves he can rely on, and runs the floor well in transition for a big man of his stature.

Allen’s stock hinges quite a bit on how much more he’s able to add to his game, both during his time at Texas and prior to the combine and draft night. He has hit some midrange jumpers on occasion, but doesn’t possess the reliable jump shot necessary to be considered anything within the realm of a stretch five. Regardless, his rim protection skills and smooth scoring around the rim make him a worthwhile first round investment.

16. SF Miles Bridges, Michigan State

Height/Weight: 6-6, 226 lbs

There are still imperfections in his game, but Bridges has been nothing short of fantastic early on for Tom Izzo and company at Michigan State. He’s already an NBA-ready athlete given his bulky frame and explosive athleticism around the basket, and his possesses the physical tools alone that are needed to carve out versatile role at the next level.

While he has primarily played a power forward-esque game, Bridges projects more as a small forward at the next level given his height–which is his most pressing hindrance. He has shown some major improvement, however, on the perimeter, thus the fairly substantial rise in stock. He’s an excellent slasher when diving off of the 3-point arc and has shown tremendous finishing ability off the bounce when driving his straight lines. He would be benefited by some improved ball handling outside of those direct drives, but that’s something that can feasibly be improved with time.

Alongside the offensive potential that comes with such a strong frame and impressive athleticism, Bridges is a stellar defender. He can cover multiple positions, both inside and out, and possesses the type of positional flexibility that thrives in today’s NBA. He’s a consistent 3-point shot away from a top 10 spot in these rankings, and holds a tremendous amount of value moving forward as another polished, in-between forward from Michigan State. Remember Draymond Green?

Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

15. PF Ivan Rabb, California

Height/Weight: 6-10, 215 lbs

Rabb was expected to commit to last year’s draft, but made the decision to return to California for a second season–setting up the opportunity for him to take on a much larger role in the offense. With now-Boston Celtic Jaylen Brown and D-Leaguer Tyrone Wallace out of the picture, Rabb is bound to take on the brunt of the lead role this season, which could–ideally–improve his stock a bit in the midst of a now-loaded draft class.

Rabb was the more polished of the two in his duet with Brown last season, and showed a lot of tools that project well to the next level. He’s an excellent, fluid athlete at a 6-10, and utilizes his length around the basket to carve out space on the offensive end and crash the boards with great effectiveness all-around. His instincts in regards to rebounding the ball are among the best in this draft class, and the energy he puts forth in that respect is something that could ideally transfer nicely to the NBA from day one. Rabb’s offense also made great strides last season. While he’s not a stretch four yet, he has shown ample signs of developing his jumper to the point where he could eventually become one. He also has nice touch around the rim last season, and combined that with a more polished arsenal that we saw in high school.

How well Rabb’s offense is able to develop outside of the painted area is going to play a large part in where his stock lands. With such an explosive group of offensive talents ahead of him, it’s tough to continue sliding him up the lottery discussion for the time being. He has the virtue of experience and a lot of room to grow as a two-way operative, it’s just a matter of him putting all the pieces together in a new-look role this campaign.

14. C Marques Bolden, Duke

Height/Weight: 6-11, 250 lbs

Bolden has been seated due to injury to kick off the season, but provides a great deal of NBA potential given the physical tools he possesses. At 6-11, Bolden boasts a 7-6 wingspan alongside excellent core strength, making him as NBA-ready as big men come from a physical standpoint. While his skill set is still developing, Bolden is firmly entrenched as one of the best big men in this year’s draft class.

Defense is where Bolden figures to make his most dominant impact early on, even if there is some legitimate concern over his energy. His high school play was–at times–plagued bu a noticeable lack of effort, and that is one major hurdle that he will have to overcome to stay in the lottery conversation long term. His legnth and strength at the rim should, however, make him a premier rim protector, and his ability to rotate defensively throughout the post and stay fairly light on his feet for such a massive player is a major bonus. Bolden also projects as a consistent rebounding threat as well, for obvious reasons. He’ll provide any NBA team with a league-ready body and instant help on both sides of the ball, which not many players necessarily guarantee.

Bolden’s offensive game is relatively limited, but he doesn’t need too much outside of the essentials to be effective. He can play above the rim with ease, and is a strong interior finisher in almost every respect. He doesn’t possess an overly impressive arsenal of moves on the low block yet, but can certainly operate with his back to the basket, and has the size needed to get up shots at the rim with little problem. As he works to add more to his game at Duke, it’s imperative that we watch not only the energy his displays against greater competition, but how advanced his post game becomes.

13. PF Lauri Markkanen, Arizona

Height/Weight: 7-0, 225 lbs

Markkenen has looked sharp early on for Arizona, and has moved his way up several big boards as a result. The Finnish 7-footer is averaging 18 points and 8 boards per contest already, and has displayed the kind of inside-outside scoring game that enamors many modern day NBA scouts. He’s a skilled stretch big who fits the mold of today’s league, and has shown the competence against American competition to now establish himself as a real contender to move into the top 10 on draft night if his pace continues.

There’s a lot to like about Markkanen, as his somewhat uneven frame is offset but the sheer size that his possesses. He’s a nimble player for his size by all accounts, and he’s able to utilize his size to position himself for success both on the offensive and the defensive side of the ball. He could still benefit from some additional strength, but his strong shooting from outside (39% on over 4 attempts per game) and smooth touch around the basket allows him to find avenues to score in a plethora of different ways. He’s an exceptional pick-and-pop producer, and accompanies that with the ability to put the ball on the floor at times and work his way into the interior.

Defensively, Markkanen has the ability to be a really strong presence. His need for strength is going to shine through as a concern early on, but he’s well-timed in his defensive rotations and has noteworthy instincts around the basket. He’s athletic enough to chase down blocked shots on occasion, and can step out to the perimeter without becoming a major liability at the same time. He’s the type of versatile, two-way big man who has characterized the frontcourt positions for the past few seasons now in the NBA, and that should help him mold well into almost any system he’s placed in at the next level.

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

12. PF Bam Adebayo, Kentucky

Height/Weight: 6-10, 250 lbs

Adebayo has risen considerably here, as his stellar defensive presence and dominance on the boards has established him as one of the more intriguing big men prospects in this draft class. While De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk have stolen the show for the top-ranked Kentucky team thus far, Adebayo’s anchor in the post has been among their most critical assets.

When your nickname is Bam, there’s really no arguing just how physically imposing Adebayo is. While some think he’ll need to make the transition to the center position at the next level–something that isn’t ideal for the barely-6-10 big man–his strength underneath is simply undeniable. His 250 pounds is essentially all muscle, and the eye test alone is enough to convince anybody that Bam is going to be a true force at any level of basketball. He may not have the most well-rounded skill set, but he simply excels in a few key areas of the game. He’s a commanding shot blocker around the basket, and athletic enough to cover either frontcourt position at an elite level–regardless of height. He elevates incredibly well for somebody as bulky as he is, and watching him play is almost like watching a poor man’s Dwight Howard among a group of college kids.

He doesn’t have much to lean on offensively from a skills perspective, but is an easy lob target at the rim and a strong finisher in general when he gets the ball on the block. He’s an obvious pick-and-roll stud, and the type of offensive rebounder that any team could benefit from given his sheer energy on the boards. It’s tough to find such physically gifted athletes in the college game that are ready to compete immediately at the next level, but Adebayo has surely proven himself to be one of them. He’s a firm lottery-talent for the time being.

11. SF Jonathan Isaac, Florida State

Height/Weight: 6-11, 205 lbs

Isaac’s ceiling is immensely high, it’s just a matter of him reaching it at this point. Standing at 6-11, Isaac’s pure length at the small forward spot is unique, and he has showcased the aptitude to use it to his utmost advantage on that side of the ball at times. He’s a swift athlete, whose speed is irregular for somebody at his height, and his offensive arsenal is beginning to look more and more NBA-ready as he progresses.

The most pressing concern with Isaac is his frame, as the lanky freshman is painfully thin. There will be the tendency for him to get bullied by stronger opposition from time to time, and his lack of polish elsewhere could make him into more of a long-term NBA prospect. That, however, shouldn’t rule him out of the lottery conversation. He has the shooting touch needed to stretch the floor from day one, and his ability to creative space off the dribble via his length is second to none in this draft class. He’s still working out some of the kinks in his jumper from a consistency standpoint, and his finishing prowess at the rim is going to be a work in progress to some extent as his frame continues to fill out. He’ll also be somewhat prone to turnovers, but that still shouldn’t be considered too much of a detraction.

He has a rare blend of athleticism in a body that is typically sized for a power forward, not a small forward. He towers over the vast majority of the players who will be tasked with guarding him, and the fact that he’s still just 19-years-old means that he could feasibly continue to grow over the next couple of years. Defensively, having Isaac’s length and foot speed on the outside is a defensive blessing waiting to happen as well. Isaac is the yearly Kevin Durant comparison that everyone will draw, and while he’s still years away from being remotely at that level of polish, the sheer potential he holds is worth keeping and eye on.

10. PG Frank Ntilikina, Strasbourg

Height/Weight: 6-5, 170 lbs

As we enter the realm of the elite point guard crop, Ntilikina establishes himself as the highest ranked international prospect so far. At 6-5, he has excellent size for the one-spot at the next level, and has the type of explosiveness that could make him immediately effective upon his arrival in the NBA. Despite being one the younger side of the prospects, the 18-year-old is one of the most intelligent basketball players you’ll find in a draft setting, and that’s something that truly shows on the court.

For all the concerns about Ntilikina’s aggressiveness at this stage in his development, the French guard makes up for it with among the most polished facilitating skills in 2017’s crop. He has tremendous vision with the ball in his hands, and utilizes his craftiness with the ball to get inside the defense and orchestrate the offense at an impressively high level for a player as young as he is. He can tear defenses apart at times when running the pick-and-roll, and has the type of savvy passing ability that is mostly seen out of veterans–seldom future rookies who just recently turned 18. He’s still thin in build and has scoring concerns, but those stem more from willingness than capability, and shouldn’t scare off too many teams on draft night.

Ntilikina has seen his most extensive criticism come from his willingness to score more so than anything, and he can become a bit too content with passing the ball at times. He has shown strong range on his 3-point shot and has the explosiveness needed to get to the rim and finish in impressive fashion, it simply comes down to him deciding to do so. Ntilikina has been tasked with playing off the ball a bit with Strasbourg thus far, and that could be a highly beneficial move if it inevitably approves his scoring approach a bit. In addition to all of that, Ntilikina’s tools help him project as an elite multipositional defender moving forwards as well.

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

9. SF O.G. Anunoby, Indiana

Height/Weight: 6-8, 215 lbs

Anunoby burst onto the scene during last season’s tournament, going from an oft-forgotten role player to one Indiana’s most productive pieces down the stretch. Now, the defensive dynamo has all but cemented himself in the lottery discussion for the time being, and has all the tools to continue moving up that very same conversation as the season progresses.

From a physical standpoint, Anunoby’s strength and athleticism on the wing is difficult to come by. As the only non-freshman or 18-year-old in the top 10, his physical development is among the most impressive aspects of his stock, and it translates into numerous areas of the game when he’s on the floor. Defensively, there isn’t a wing player in this draft class who adequately compares to Anunoby at the moment He’s has excellent foot speed on the outside, and utilizes his length and bulkiness to get into the grill of his opposition and force them out of rhythm in impressive fashion. He has the ability to take on bigger opposition in the post, while still being fully capable of covering guards on the outside. He’s the type of elite, versatile defender that’s automatically worth a spot in the top 10 conversation almost solely because of that side of his game.

In addition to his ability to make an immediate impact at the next level with his defense, Anunoby has shown immense signs of offensive improvements. He’s shooting a respectable 38% from beyond the arc, and has shown flashes of excellent instincts passing the ball on some occasions. He’s not going to produce to a great degree as a scorer, but he can find ways to operate effectively within the offense, and has a surprisingly strong feel for the game for somebody with relatively limited basketball experience.

8. PG De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky

Height/Weight: 6-4, 171 lbs

Fox has shined through the first month of the season for Kentucky, as the incredibly quick point guard has been one of the country’s more entertaining players to watch. As somebody who was compared to John Wall throughout the offseason, those lofty standards have seem well-founded thus far. Even in a loaded backcourt, he has found immense success as the primary ball handler and leading facilitator.

When he’s in the open court, there’s really nobody in this draft class that can utilize more pure speed than Fox. He has incredible control at different speeds, and excels as somebody who can explode to the basket at will and give defense immense problems on the fastbreak. Fox hasn’t polished off his scoring arsenal to its fullest extent yet, but that’s the case for the vast majority of elite athletic prospects on the perimeter. He’s a more fine-tuned shooter than the aforementioned Wall was during his own respective time at Kentucky, and has the ability to get into the lane and finish through contact in aggressive fashion.

Fox’s prowess is a passer is also appealing from an NBA perspective, and his ability to get anywhere he wants on the court and still pass the ball with constant accuracy is a major boost to his stock as a year-one starter at the next level. He can run the offense and find his spots on the floor as well–something he has proven at Kentucky thus far–and that’s a huge boost for somebody who is still ironing out his perimeter scoring. Fox’s length and quickness also translate to the defensive end, where he’s one of the better backcourt prospects in this draft. He’s a hyper-athletic playmaker who produces on both sides of the ball–don’t be surprised if he continues making gains on big boards across the media.

7. SF Jayson Tatum, Duke

Height/Weight: 6-8, 204 lbs

Tatum can do a number of things well, but where he truly exceeds most other prospects in this draft is as a scorer. What he lacks in raw explosiveness, he makes up for with very fluid movements and an uncanny knack for putting the ball in the basket at a high clip. Tatum will join a powerful dynamic of prospects at Duke once he, as well as the remainder of that roster, is healthy, but should be able to find ample room to establish himself as an elite piece.

Whether it’s from outside or working his way into the interior, Tatum excels in finding space in the defense and exploiting it relentlessly. He’s a deadly isolation scorer off the dribble, and can knock down spot-up shots from the perimeter without hesitation when given the opportunity. A major knock during his high school career was his tendency to pass up good shots in favor of tougher shots in isolation often favoring a jumper off of the bounce rather than shooting immediately off the catch. His ability to create separation on his shot is utterly impressive, and his scoring prowess in difficult areas is second to, perhaps, none– but it will be worthwhile to see if he reigns it in a bit when placed alongside more fruitful talent around him at Duke.

There are some defensive concerns with Tatum, but those aren’t anything to read too heavily into quite yet. All the tools are still there, and his 6-11 wingspan in accompaniment with a 6-8 frame should make him perfectly capable of covering a lot of ground on the defensive end in time. He’s somebody who knows how to score the basketball–plain and simple. Such a talented wing scorer is a must-get commodity for a lot of teams, so him falling much lower than 7 would be a legitimate shock to me.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

6. PF Harry Giles, Duke

Height/Weight: 6-11, 222 lbs

Giles, from a pure talent perspective, could still be in the conversation for the top spot on this big board. He’s an undeniably gifted two-way presence at the four spot, and his physical tools make him somebody that could mold seamlessly into today’s NBA once he gets his footing underneath him. The overarching concern here is injury. Giles tore his ACL and MCL in one knee during high school, only to return and tear his ACL in his other knee–making two major knee injuries in the course of 3 years a very real concern for NBA teams.

Now at Duke, Giles is still on the bench after undergoing a minor knee procedure this offseason. Injury concerns aside, however, the potential for Giles at the next level is very real. At 6-11, Giles has the versatility needed to handle the ball on the outside, while possessing the strength needed to pound the ball into the interior and score at the rim. Even with knee issues, he showed at explosive ability to play above the rim, and his quickness in transition far exceeds that of your typical near-7-footer. He hasn’t established his 3-point shot yet, but can legitimately knock down pull-up jumpers from midrange, and has a lot of nice moves he can fall back on en route to the basket when driving to the hoop. There are still some rough spots in his game offensively, but he’s a largely impressive athletic force with a lot of nice tools he go go to.

Giles’ defense is also in the elite category, as he is one of the more formidable rim protectors in the class. His timing and leaping ability at the rim is among the best in the lottery discussion, and he also has the versatility to stretch out to the perimeter effectively as well. If Giles can prove he’s capable of staying healthy once he gets back, I expect his stock to rise back up.

5. SF Josh Jackson, Kansas

Height/Weight: 6-8, 203 lbs

Jackson made a name for himself with explosive athleticism as a high school prospect, and now begins his career at Kansas as one of the favorites to potential go first overall in next year’s draft. While he isn’t the most polished player in the top 5, Jackson’s ability to create plays both on and off the ball with his excellent size and incredible physical tools at the three spot makes him another elite prospect.

While he hasn’t shown mastery by any stretch, Jackson’s ability to step out and knock down outside shots has a been a promising sign early on at Kansas. He’s only shooting 29% from three–so it’s obviously not a finished product–but he has shown the ability to step outside the painted area and still find avenues of scoring outside of driving at the basket. Jackson’s athleticism does, however, favor that slashing style of play the most. He’s a highly aggressive finisher en route to the basket, and plays above the rim as frequently as anybody in the draft class will. Jackson has also shown the ability to post up smaller defenders and score on the block from time to time in the half court this season, which is a positive development to keep an eye on.

Jackson’s court vision is another part of his game that often gets overlooked. He won’t be the primary facilitator for an NBA offense, but he’s capable of firing some impressive passes in transition from time to time, and is far from inept when handling the ball in areas he’s comfortable with. He’s also among the best perimeter defenders in the draft class, utilizing his length and athleticism on the perimeter to bother shots–proving himself capable of guarding, potentially, 4 different spots on the floor. There’s a lot of versatility in Jackson’s game, and the potential his unreal athletic tools provide only reaffirms why his stock is so high.

4. PG Dennis Smith Jr., N.C. State

Height/Weight: 6-3, 195 lbs

Smith graced the top of my preseason big boards, and despite a rocky start to the season in some respects, a drop to 4 shouldn’t be overly concerning quite yet. The top 8 or so in this draft is compiled of prospects who could have been easy candidates for top 3 selections last season, and the fluidity of such a talent-packed group of players makes for alterations like these to be feasible.

From an athletic standpoint, Smith is right a the top of this draft class. The 2017 crop has been loaded with incredible athletes, but Smith’s rare combination of explosiveness speed, and noteworthy agility at the one spot make him truly stand out when analyzing his game. When operating off the dribble, Smith’s ability to keep the ball on a string and weave his way through the defense is genuinely fun to watch. He has among the quickest first steps in the draft class, and has shown the ability to change speeds on a dime, making him not only difficult to cover, but difficult to interpret in general when he has the ball in his hands. He makes decisive cuts to the basket, and finishes through contact with impressive toughness at times. His ability to keep the defense guessing as to how he’ll attack this basket is his most impressive virtue, and it’s one that puts Smith atop the ladder in terms of offensive producers in this draft class.

There could be some defensive issues with his height barely reaching 6-3 in shoes, but he has all the physical tools to overcome any problems in that regard. He’s light on his feet, and excels when able to push the ball in transition, meaning turnovers often lead to easy buckets on the other end. There’s a bountiful load of upper echelon guard talent in this draft class, and Smith is right in the thick of it.

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

3. SG Malik Monk, Kentucky

Height/Weight: 6-4, 185 lbs

I was high on Monk before the season started, while he was still in the 20s in some rankings. Now, the Kentucky freshman has soared up the vast majority of big boards, and proved himself to be among the elite talents in a guard-heavy class. Another freakish athlete, Monk’s shooting stroke has been his most unexpected–and impressive–contribution so far.

While I consider him to be a shooting guard at this point, he has the makings of a point guard at the next level. He’s can pass, and handles the ball well enough to spearhead an offense. But that would minimize his off-ball scoring, a skill similar to that of Fox and sophomore Isaiah Briscoe which has been utterly impressive.

He has shown an immense amount of upside as a go-to scoring option on the wing. He’s an impressive athlete in route to the basket, and creates space off the bounce. He’s an entertaining sight in transition as well, and alongside Fox has simply terrorized defenses with his ability to play above the rim.

The primary knock on Monk coming into the season was his shooting consistency, and that’s where he has ended up making his most prominent contribution thus far. He is taking almost 8 threes per contest at the moment, and sinking a couple ticks over 38% from beyond the arc despite the enormous volume. He’s proving to be a heavy threat from beyond the arc, and that combined with his numerous athletic tools and strong all-around skill set is a frightening development for other college teams–and an exciting one for NBA Scouts.

2. PG Markelle Fultz, Washington

Height/Weight: 6-4, 195 lbs

Fultz’s strong play to kick off the season has only reestablished the fact that he’s towards the top of this year’s guard talent. At 6-4, he has excellent size at the point guard spot, and blends both scoring and passing touch in a manner that no other one man in the 2017 crop can truly match. He took command of Washington’s offense after Dejounte Murray and Marquese Chriss departed last season. He has arrived in full form, immediately dominating the floor for the Huskies.

Fultz’s offensive arsenal is among the most complete in the draft class, if not the most complete. He’s an excellent ball handler, and excels in finding lanes to the rim and facilitating through the teeth of the defense. He’s extremely crafty for a relatively large point guard, and uses his underrated athleticism and excellent change-of-pace ability to catch his defenders off guard, either leading to an easy score or a precisely-dropped dime. He has nice length for the point guard spot, and uses that to create separation well on his shot, regardless of where he’s placed on the floor. He’s currently shooting 48% from deep, and averaging upwards of 22 points and 6 assists per game for the Huskies, a notably impressive stat line early on in his college career.

In the mold of D’Angelo Russell almost, Fultz’s blend of fluid offensive skill and killer scoring ability are a rare combination coming out of college, and something that will keep NBA teams at the top of the draft board interested all the way up until draft night. His defensive woes are perhaps his most pressing concern, but even those don’t often seem prevalent. In layman’s terms: Fultz can ball.

1. PG Lonzo Ball, UCLA

Height/Weight: 6-6, 190 lbs

This is easily my most radical shift in comparison to my first pair of big boards, but there’s good reason for the dramatic alteration. After being somebody I thought would experience some relatively substantial growing pains during his freshman campaign, Lonzo Ball has, quite frankly, proven me dead wrong. There’s something special brewing in Los Angeles, and Ball has earned his way up to the top spot on my first mid-season big board.

We’ve talked about great facilitators, from Ntilikina at the 10th spot to Fultz, as recently as the second slot.

Ball, however, is a different animal.

He’s pouring in over 9 assists per game for the Bruins thus far, and has shown a level of court vision and playmaking ability that is almost unheralded from most freshman classes. We’ve seen NBA scouts raving over Ball’s playmaking skills already. He is compared to Jason Kidd, and those high praises are becoming increasingly evident in his play. At 6-6, Ball is a freakish athlete with tremendous physical tools for the point guard spot. He can get off the floor with uncanny ease, and his quick first step allows him to penetrate the defense without a terrible amount of resistance at times. He’s a tremendous passer out of traffic, and in just about any other scenario on the court, and backs that up with the athletic tools to make plays of his own with ease.

Ball is a nightmare when operating in transition as well,. He has the ball handling skills needed to create his own looks off the dribble and finish around the basket at a high level.

My biggest knock on Ball throughout the preseason is his awkward shooting stroke. As a matter of fact, it’s yielding a 47% success rate from deep, on 5 attempts per game. I’ve read analysis comparing Ball to both Westbrook and Kidd comparisons recently. Resemblance to both players strike all who watch him play. That, my friends, is a scary thought. Lonzo Ball has proven me wrong already and as long as he continues at this pace, both he and Fultz stand in front of the pack.

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