Pippen Ain’t Easy’s 2017 NBA Draft: Mock Draft 2.0
73. . SF. Indiana. OG Anunoby. 13. player
2.0 update: I still like Anunoby at No. 13 to Denver. This could really turn into a steal for the Nuggets, because if Anunoby was healthy all year long for the Hoosiers and took a couple steps forward, you could make the argument he’d be in top-5 pick discussions. I’m not joking.
1.0 update: 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
110. . SF. North Carolina. Justin Jackson. 14. player
2.0 update: Although Jackson is a popular pick among mock drafts with the Bulls, I still think the Heat look this direction, too. Part of me was thinking maybe Luke Kennard sees a boost in his stock, but with the Ntilikina/Monk movement, there was really nowhere to bump Kennard up, especially with Tyler Johnson in the fold for Miami. It wouldn’t have made sense to put him here, hence Jackson remaining the pick at No. 14.
1.0 update: “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.