Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2017 NBA Draft: Mock Draft 2.0
PF. Arizona. Lauri Markkanen. 9. player. 79.
2.0 update: Markkanen still feels like the pick here for the Mavericks at No. 9. It’s a popular mock pick you’ll see everywhere, but it does make sense for Dallas.
1.0 update: 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
Gonzaga. Zach Collins. 10. player. 67. . PF/C
2.0 update: Collins’ stock is high. There’s a real chance he doesn’t fall outside of the top 12 selections on draft night. The Kings addressed their point guard need with the fifth pick and DSJ and now they get another young big, which could open things up for some roster reconstruction.
1.0 update: 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.