Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2017 NBA Draft: Mocking the first round for every team

By Michael Whitlow

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
15 of 15
Next
Semi Ojeleye, 2017 NBA Draft prospect.
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) works around USC Trojans forward Charles Buggs (1) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Latvia. Anzejs Pasecniks. 29. player. 29. . C

If anyone is going to take a name that’s almost impossible to say in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, it’s going to be the San Antonio Spurs. We know how this works by now. The Spurs and international players go together like Popeyes and the $5 Big Box. It’s their thing. But, this pick not only keeps them on their draft-related brand, it addresses an interesting topic for the Spurs and that’s the center position. After his dismal playoff performance, LaMarcus Aldridge is on a bit of a hot seat in San Antonio. Pau Gasol is creeping toward retirement. Dewayne Dedmon is a free agent this summer. The Spurs took two centers in the 2015 draft and both have yet to long a minute in the NBA. Anzejs Pasecniks might be a bit different. Another Latvia big man to draw the comparisons of Kristaps Porzingis, Pasecniks is an improving big that moves well for his size (7-foot-2, around 220 pounds) that could bring a presence in the paint for Gregg Popovich in the future.

RELATED: Trevor Magnotti at FanSided‘s The Step Back broke down Anzejs Pasecniks a couple months ago

SF/PF. SMU. Semi Ojeleye. 30. player. 118.

With the final mock pick of this draft, the Jazz (picking in the place of the Golden State Warriors from a past trade) take SMU’s Semi Ojeleye with their second pick of the first round. Ojeleye, a prospect that I personally thought the Bulls should look at with the No. 38 overall pick in the second round, sneaks into the first round on this mock. He’s an improved shooter with an endless amount of athleticism and a good, strong frame. Despite all of the injuries this past season, the Jazz are still in a good shape. They have some major issues to address with Gordon Hayward and Joe Ingles’s free agencies and if they lose one or both players, this could open the door for Ojeleye to help fill the void.

Next: Pippen Ain't Easy's 2017 NBA Draft Guide for the Chicago Bulls

RELATED: SB Nation‘s Denver Stiffs broke down Ojeleye a while back and it’s worth your time

Home/Bulls Draft