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
7 of 15
Next
Justin Jackson, 2017 NBA Draft prospect.
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson cuts down the net after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

13. player. 73. . SF. Indiana. OG Anunoby

I’ve stated many times that OG Anunoby was one of my favorite players on the draft’s big board before he injured his knee and missed most of his final season in Bloomington with the Indiana Hoosiers. The Denver Nuggets have some of my favorite young pieces today in the NBA, so why not give them one more in Anunoby? Putting Anunoby’s size, strength and defensive potential in with a Nuggets team that won’t need him to be a primary scorer makes all of the sense in the world. Perimeter guys like Gary Harris and Jamal Murray would have some much-needed assistance guarding some of the league’s best scorers and ball-handlers, while Nikola Jokic would have another passing target to hit with cuts and transition run-outs.

RELATED: The Vertical’s Shams Charania on OG Anunoby’s efforts rehabbing his injured knee and getting back to play in the NBA

Justin Jackson. 14. player. 110. . SF. North Carolina

“The Big 3” is officially no more after the reports came about that Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat are looking to professionally separate from one another this offseason. Despite good pieces in place like Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Justise Winslow and Hassan Whiteside, the Heat are missing some scoring offensively, which is where North Carolina’s Justin Jackson, this past season’s ACC Player of the Year, can assist. There’s not much behind Winslow in Miami at the small forward position and Jackson and be a 3-4 hybrid with a little more muscle in the coming years. His shooting has improved tremendously and could be a nice addition for the Heat’s offense.

RELATED: Our own Willie Lutz on Justin Jackson and his potential long-term value at the next level

Home/Bulls Draft