Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2017 NBA Draft: Mock Draft 2.0
With the 2017 NBA Draft creeping closer and closer, we at Pippen Ain’t Easy decided to mock not just the Chicago Bulls’ first-round pick, we took a stab at mocking the entire first round of the draft. Here’s the most recent update of that mock draft.
The 2017 NBA Draft has been widely-known as one of the deeper draft classes in recent memories with the array of talent included.
Like many of the teams included in the first round, the Chicago Bulls could use some of that talent spread throughout this year’s draft class.
In this exercise, we’ll not only mock who could and should be available for the Bulls with the 16th overall pick on June 22, but we’ll try and project the entire first round of the draft.
There’s a few disclaimers that should be noted before we begin:
- No trades. I know it would be fun. I know. But, if we were trying to guess who could be potentially trading with who, we’d be here for the next week.
- There’s a couple teams that have multiple first-round picks: Los Angeles Lakers (No. 2 and 28), Sacramento (No. 5 and 10), Orlando (No. 6 and 25), Portland (No. 15, 20 and 26), Brooklyn (No. 22 and 27) and Utah (No. 24 and 30).
Markelle Fultz. 1. player. 18. . PG. Washington
2.0 update: Fultz at No. 1 remains unchanged. He’s still the top guy and barring a major setback (and/or trade) before now and June 22, he’ll go No. 1 overall.
1.0 update: We’re not going to sugarcoat this one. Washington guard Markelle Fultz is the best guard in this draft class and the best overall prospect in this year’s class. Despite a nine-win year for the Huskies out in Washington state, Fultz was one of the best players in the country and with his ability to play on and off the ball, it’s no secret that most mock draft projections have him atop their boards heading into June’s draft. With Isaiah Thomas’ contract situation becoming foggier by the day in Boston, the Celtics need a backup option. This is a good one to have.
RELATED: Markelle Fultz talks to Bleacher Report on his “rivalry” with UCLA’s Lonzo Ball and trying to win league MVP as a rookie
. PG. UCLA. Lonzo Ball. 2. player. 20
2.0 update: Depsite some rumors that Ball may not be the pick for the Lakers at No. 2 overall, he remains second on this board. Since the lottery was announced, this has felt like a big-time lock to happen.
1.0 update: The match made in heaven. At least for LaVar Ball. Even with D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson already on the roster, it’s no secret that the Los Angeles-based Ball is the clear-cut option for the Lakers with the second overall pick. The new front office pairing of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka know they have to hit a home run that they were fortunate enough to keep after the draft lottery and many believe Ball is going to be that pick for them. The Big Baller Brand will have a big market to try and sell shoes that cost more than many people’s mortgage payments, so the Showtime Lakers are (almost) back?