Jordan's 2017 Mock Draft

It's that time of year again, Kings fans! The 2017 NBA Draft is here. This week has already been crazy around the league and it'll only get crazier until every pick has been called. Below I give you my final mock draft ahead of Thursday's draft.

1. Markelle Fultz - PG (Washington/Freshman)

The 76ers moved up to #1 after agreeing to trade the #3 pick along with either a first-rounder in 2018 or 2019. Philly moved up to #1 for one reason and one reason only: Markelle Fultz. Fultz is by far the most talented player in this extremely deep draft, there's no way Philadelphia passes on him at #1.

2. Lonzo Ball - PG (UCLA/Freshman)

The Los Angeles Lakers have been in love with UCLA's Lonzo Ball for quite a while now, I don't believe that has changed any despite all the rumors lately about what the Lakers may or may not do at 2. Lonzo Ball is the second best point guard in this draft and nothing Lonzo's dad LaVar says can affect that, nor will it affect the Lakers taking Lonzo Ball at #2.

3. Jayson Tatum - SF (Duke/Freshman)

This is where everything gets interesting. The Celtics, as mentioned earlier, passed on Markelle Fultz by trading down two spots to #3. The Celtics felt that the guy they wanted at #1, they'll still get at #2, which means one of two things: they want either Tatum or Jackson. I believe Tatum is the better fit for the Celtics due to his scoring ability and I think Boston believes that as well.

4. Josh Jackson - SF/SG (Kansas/Freshman)

I wholeheartedly believe that Josh Jackson is number one on Phoenix's big board (If you take Fultz out of the equation). The Suns need a wing bad and with the Celtics going Tatum at #3, Phoenix will get their guy at #4. Josh Jackson is the second best overall player in this draft in my opinion, there's no way he falls passed the Suns at #4.

#5. De'Aaron Fox - PG (Kentucky/Freshman)

The Kings will end up getting their guy at #5. Kentucky point guard De'Aaron Fox will be a King and will get the keys to the Kingdom right away upon arrival in Sacramento. Not only will Fox be the best player available for the Kings at this point, he'll fit their biggest need at point guard. In this perfect case scenario for the Kings, they'll get the guy who will lead this young team into the next decade of Kings basketball.

#6. Jonathan Issac - SF/PF (FSU/Freshman)

Jonathan Issac, who's draft stock has risen quite a bit in the last month or so will go off the board to Orlando at #6. The Magic are one of the teams who simply need everything at the moment. Issac has a very high ceiling and is not considered to be as good as Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum...yet. He is, however, still the third best option at small forward in this draft.

#7. Lauri Markkanen - PF/C (Arizona/Freshman)

The Timberwolves will have to decide whether or not they want to go scoring or big at #7. For my mock draft, I have them going big and deciding to completely fill out their young, future starting line-up. With Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine in the back-court, Minnesota will take Markkanen to fill up the spot in between Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns. Lauri will help stretch the floor for Towns, as well as knock down 3-pointers when needed.

#8. Frank Ntilikina - PG (France/International)

The New York Knickerbockers have been involved in a lot of trade chatter in the past day or two. According to many, the Knicks are interested in moving into the top 4 to grab Josh Jackson. They're reportedly so interested, that they're willing to give up star player, Kristaps Porzingis. But assuming the Knicks stay put at #8, I believe they take the guy Knicks' President Phil Jackson has been in love with for a while, Frank Ntilikina.

#9. Dennis Smith Jr. - PG (NC State/Freshman)

The Mavericks will take whoever the Knicks don't at #8 and in this case they're getting one of the steals of the draft in Dennis Smith Jr. In my honest opinion, no one benefitted more (besides the Kings) from the Kings moving up to #5 than the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are in need of a star at the point guard position and Smith fits that role perfectly.

#10. Malik Monk - SG (Kentucky/Freshman)

Dennis Smith Jr. may be one of the biggest steals of the draft, but I believe Malik Monk at #10 WILL be the biggest steal of the draft. Now the question at this point may be "Really? Another shooting guard for the Kings?" Well I believe so and here's why. Malik Monk might be the best scorer in this draft behind Fultz, Tatum and Josh Jackson. He can go anywhere from pick #3 to pick #11 in my honest opinion. Monk would come to the Kings and immediately be a top scorer on the team. Not to mention the fact that he'd be playing next to his college point guard, De'Aaron Fox. A logjam

of Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Malachi Richardson, and Malik Monk at the two isn't too bad of a problem to have. The Kings would also be able to explore more small-ball options, which works well in today's NBA.