Pippen Ain't Easy
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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 /
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Lauri Markkanen, 2017 NBA Draft prospect.
Mar 23, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) drives the ball past Xavier Musketeers forward Tyrique Jones (0) during the second period in the semifinals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Xavier Musketeers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

9. player. 79. . PF. Arizona. Lauri Markkanen

Partly why I thought Arizona could get Sean Miller over the hump and into his first Final Four as the head coach of the Wildcats was because of Lauri Markkanen. Despite Arizona getting upset by Xavier before they could get their shot at taking down top-seeded Gonzaga in the West Region, Markkanen was still a strong player in his one season out in Tucson. He’s a 7-footer that can stretch the floor with his shooting and is drawing a few comparisons to … Dirk Nowitzki. So, it basically makes sense for the Dallas Mavericks to take a successor to Dirk’s throne in Dallas, right? I personally don’t think Markkanen is a future Nowitzki, but he can bring a really good stretch-four in a Rick Carlisle system. Dallas is rebuilding and with Nowitzki around for at least one more year, he can help show Markkanen the ropes before he retires.

RELATED: Sports Illustrated‘s Luke Winn on why Lauri Markkanen isn’t Dirk, but he’s an elite shooter

player. 67. . PF/C. Gonzaga. Zach Collins. 10

Did anyone’s draft stock see a higher rise than Gonzaga’s Zach Collins? The best thing for Collins was the Bulldogs coming within an eyelash of winning a national title back in April. It gave scouts and executives more of a look at what Collins could do on a national stage. He had his struggles early on in the tournament, but his physicality, shot-blocking and rebounding made curiosity about the 19-year-old grow. With DeMarcus Cousins out of the fold after this past season’s All-Star break, the Kings’ front court depth took an obvious hit. Add in Collins next to the improving Skal Labissiere and the Kings might have a promising future up front.

RELATED: SB Nation‘s Mid-Major Madness with a quick breakdown on Zach Collins and where he projects to land on draft night

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