National Basketball Association

RTOE: Early thoughts on the 2017 NBA Draft

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

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The 2017 NBA Draft is a little less than a year away, but the college basketball season is just around the corner, so we got together to answer some of the draft’s most interesting preseason questions like who should be the number one pick, who could breakout, and what under the radar teams to keep an eye on.

1. Let’s start at the top of the 2017 NBA Draft. Between Markelle Fultz, Harry Giles, Josh Jackson, Frank Ntilikina, and Jayson Tatum, there’s a lot of talent, but you can only take one guy with the #1 pick, so who ya got?

Chris Stone (@cstonehoops): Markelle Fultz. This answer probably shouldn’t come as a surprise given that Fultz sits atop the big board that Trevor Magnotti and I put together last month. The 18-year old is an excellent talent who will be in a good position to showcase his skills in Washington’s fast-paced offense. In my mind, both Giles and Jackson could make moves to become the top pick by June, but for now, it’s Fultz.

Chris Reichert (@chris_reichert): Right now it’s Fultz. He’s taken 2017 draft boards by storm after his prolific rise to stardom. He led the Team USA’s U18 team to gold this summer playing with another potential top pick in Michael Porter Jr. Both have committed to the University of Washington but it’s not likely we will see them together due to the greatness of Fultz, and likelihood of him leaving for the NBA after one season. Fultz is a shifty slasher who keeps constant pressure on opposing defenses. Once he adds a consistent jumpshot to his arsenal he will be unstoppable.

Jonah Jordan (@_JonahJordan): Harry Giles. Point guards are dominating the top of the boards right now, but a forward with as much potential as Giles cannot be passed up on. The 6-10 forward is the most talented player on a Duke squad with arguably the most talent in the nation. His athleticism and scoring ability make his ceiling incredibly high and dangerous. I don’t see how anybody could pass up on Giles if he’s healthy.

Evan Wheeler (@EvanWheelz): I’ll stick with Harry Giles, although Markelle Fultz, Dennis Smith Jr. and even Josh Jackson are all very close behind Giles on my board. If it wasn’t for injury concerns I don’t think the race would be all that close for no. 1 currently. Giles can do it all with his ball handling, playmaking and athletic ability, not to mention he’s a great kid off the floor. He’s a can’t miss prospect for me, outside of the durability concerns.

2. Last year, we had a couple of freshmen — namely, Marquese Chriss and Malachi Richardson — make big leaps and turn themselves into high draft picks. Who could pull off something similar this year?

Stone: These are the type of shot in the dark predictions that are always hard to hit on. Neither Chriss nor Richardson were seen as one-and-done guys coming into college, but they played themselves into that position over the course of the season. I’ll take Texas’ Andrew Jones as an incoming freshman who might be able to pull off the same this year. Jones is a bouncy combo guard with good size and great scoring acumen, but he’ll be asked to help lead the Longhorns’ offense right away after Isaiah Taylor’s surprising departure. Playing point guard full time is not something he’s done before, so if he can flash his chops at the position, he could be able to push his way into the draft.

Reichert: Chriss was from the Seattle area and I’m rolling with another Seattle native in Sam Cunliffe at Arizona State University. Cunliffe played high school ball at the 3A powerhouse Rainier Beach which has produced countless NBA players (Jamal Crawford, Doug Christie, Tony Wroten and Dejounte Murray to name a few) over the past couple decades. Cunliffe is a 6-7 wing with the defensive versatility to guard positions 1-3 at the college level. He’s got enough handle to play some combo guard on offense and his leaping ability will shock you. He’s a beast in transition, but still has the vision to find open teammates; even passing too much sometimes. The skill that will shine through right away however is his shooting ability. His mechanics are already flawless, with a high, quick release that will allow him to get looks either off the catch or from his dribble. He’s a 4-star, under the radar, monster and Bobby Hurley is thrilled to have him down in Tempe.

Jordan: I’m going to take another freshman shooting guard out of Syracuse, Tyus Battle. The four-star combo guard is another 6-6 wing that can shoot and use his athleticism to make plays. Because of their recruiting sanctions the Orange are going to give Battle, who is probably their most talented player, all of the opportunities to shine. He’s going to splash threes and slash from the wing and when he runs the point he’ll be able to run pick and pops and pick and rolls with center Taurean Thompson. If he can guard 1-3, which he has the physical tools to do so, he’ll skyrocket up draft boards.

Wheeler: I’ll take Jonathan Isaac, the lanky 6-10 freshman who committed to Florida St. over the likes of Kentucky, Florida and Louisville. He’s already gaining traction as a potential lottery pick and should get the opportunity to prove that under Leonard Hamilton’s guidance this season. With Malik Beasley now gone to the NBA, it opens up a shot for Isaac to be the primary wing scorer in the Seminoles offense with Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes in the backcourt. He has elite length (7-1.25 wingspan), good athleticism and an ever improving stroke. Isaac’s handle needs some work and obviously he’ll need to hit the weight room, but I can see him rising potentially into a top 5-8 pick.

3. Now, let’s talk about the old guys. Last year, both Buddy Hield and Denzel Valentine made huge impressions during their senior seasons. Who’s the four year player most likely to do the same in 2017?

Stone: Monte Morris from Iowa State is about to experience a significant role change that could propel him up draft boards. During his time in Ames, Morris has largely played second fiddle, but with Georges Niang no longer around to eat up possessions, he’ll be tasked with picking up more of the Cyclones’ scoring. Morris has already proven himself to be one of the best pure point guards in the country. If he can flash a more well-rounded game, he could find himself making the jump.

Reichert: Jaron Blossomgame tested NBA waters this offseason before deciding to return to Clemson to fine-tune his game, and hopefully help the Tigers reach the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2011. Jaron has been steadily improving each and every season in the NCAA ranks and if he can make a Buddy Hield-like jump this season, he can certainly jump into the first round of a stacked 2017 draft. He’s not the prolific shooter Hield is, and his mechanics on that jumper still need some tinkering with. However, the 6-7 wing projects as a solid two-way forward in the NBA a la Wilson Chandler and this will be his second consecutive “breakout” year in the orange and blue.

Jordan: Nigel Hayes’ name has been on draft boards the past two seasons, but he’s a projected second round pick going into his senior season. He’s been a solid scorer the past two seasons — scoring 12.4 points his sophomore season the following it up with 15.7 points his junior season. While he’s increased his scoring, he’s also been less efficient with increased opportunities. His field goal percentage dropped, as did his three-point percentage, in his junior season. I think he’s going to come out with an improved perimeter game which is going to take him to the next level as a scorer. If anyone in the country is going to make a Buddy Hield type leap it will be Hayes, he has all of the tools to make it happen.

Wheeler: Josh Hart will return for his senior season to help Villanova defend their National Championship. He was the team’s leading scorer last season, averaging 15.5 points per game and second in rebounds per game at 6.9, numbers which could easily improve this year. He’s a very good defender, sporting a 95.6 defensive rating in three seasons with the Wildcats and reminds me a lot of Danny Green. I believe alongside Jalen Brunson who takes over for Ryan Arcidiacono at the point, Hart will see his scoring load increase. Kris Jenkins returns for Villanova at the 3 spot and incoming freshman Omari Spellman will give Hart more of a chance to show some playmaking ability. Hart’s three point shooting has been up and down, but I expect him to shoot well from beyond the arc this season on his way to a senior year season which increases his draft stock.

4. The last question is for NBA fans looking to scout some potential players for their favorite teams. Outside of the normal names — Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, etc. — which school should they try to watch a couple of times this season?

Stone: I’ll go with USC. The school may not have the top-tier talent, but they do have a few guys worth putting on the radar. The most interesting prospect is Chimezie Metu, a 6-11 center with good athleticism and strong per 40 minutes numbers (13.9 points, 7.8 boards, and 3.4 blocks). Bennie Boatright is a potential stretch four who made 35.9 percent of his triples last season and Jordan McLaughlin is an undersized point guard who could find his way onto an NBA bench with a strong showing next year.

Reichert: My pick is N.C. State here. Cat Barber is gone to the NBA and the Martin twins transferred to Nevada. However, there are three BIG reasons to watch Gottfried’s Wolfpack this season — Dennis Smith Jr., Omer Yurtseven and Ted Kapita. Smith Jr. is the showstopper to watch and will likely only be with N.C. State one season, but it will be worth it. The kid is explosive by any measure and paired with Yurtseven will help bring the pack back to the NCAA tourney after a one year hiatus. State also returns Maverick Rowan, a talented sophomore wing scorer who should compliment Smith perfectly. I’m excited to see what Kapita — the once heralded Arkansas recruit — will bring to the table as well. This is a great class for Gottfried and a step in the right direction for sure.

Jordan: I’m so here for year two of Shaka Smart at Texas, especially after he brought in a recruiting class ranked fifth in the nation and first in the Big 12. The Longhorns went 20-13 with a roster that did not fit the mold Smart was successful with at VCU, but after losing five players to graduation and one to the NBA he is going to be working with players that fit his style of play. They’re going to be young and fun in Austin, for the first time in a long time.

Jarett Allen is a projected lottery pick who is going to be one of the best defensive big men in the NCAA this season. The 6-11 center is going to allow Smart to unleash his havoc-filled full court press that forced turnovers and flustered opponents at VCU. Andrew Jones is a combo guard that will see time because of his quickness and athleticism and if he is able to replace Taylor at the point guard position the Longhorns are going to be scary good this season.

Wheeler: UCLA is a known commodity sure, but they finished 10th in the Pac-12 last season and were far from a must watch. With incoming freshmen Lonzo Ball and T.J. Leaf, that changes drastically this season. Ball is a lanky, athletic point guard with some of the best vision I’ve ever seen and should contend for a top ten pick this year. Leaf on the other hand is similar to former bruin Kevin Love and the two of them should form one of the most entertaining duo’s in college basketball next season. With returning players like Bryce Alford, Thomas Welsh, Prince Ali, Aaron Holiday and Isaac Hamilton the Bruins become a must watch team next year.