2017 NBA Mock Draft: SLC Dunk Edition

The 2017 NBA Draft is in just two days. The SLC Dunk Staff got together for our never too late Mock Draft. Each writer was assigned two teams to draft for. Enjoy.

1. Philadelphia from Boston via Brooklyn

Markelle Fultz, University of Washington

Pick by Uber

Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

He's the most talented player in the draft with all the physical tools needed to succeed in the NBA. There's no question about this pick. The only question mark around Markelle is his defense and effort.

[Editor’s Note: Check out Markelle Fultz’s USA Team highlights. You will not be disappointed.]

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2. Los Angeles Lakers (For now)

Lonzo Ball, UCLA

Pick by Austin

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This seems destined to be a perfect fit. Magic won't be able to pass up a playmaker like Lonzo. While there are many questions about his shot, defense and some dude named Lavar, this is a match that seems to have been set for a while now.

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3. Boston Celtics

Josh Jackson, Kansas

Pick by REXDunk

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson can provide Boston with versatility in the long run. Improving his shooting will be the highest priority. It will be interesting to see if Boston even keeps this pick.

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4. Phoenix

Jayson Tatum, Duke

Pick by Kaleb Searle

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

If Phoenix decides to move on from Eric Bledsoe and/or Brandon Knight, they could be in dire need of a point guard. But putting Tatum's all-around game next to Devin Booker's shooting on the wing is just too tantalizing to pass up.

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5. Sacramento (from Philadelphia)

De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky

Pick by Jazzyman

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Fox is one of my favorite prospects in the draft. Reminds many of John Wall with his skills and upside. However, I personally think De'Aaron Fox will find more early success in his career than John Wall did. The Kings need a point guard, and Fox is one of the best in the draft, who also happens to be the best player available at this spot.

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6. Orlando

Dennis Smith Jr., North Carolina State

Pick by Tavan Parker

Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

The top 5 seem to be in place in the draft, leaving the Magic to start the 2nd tier. The guys in Orlando seem to love this kid and they'll hope he's the PGOF Payton never became. They were one of the worst shooting and scoring teams in the league last year, so adding a young explosive scorer and playmaker only makes sense.

7. Minnesota

Jonathan Isaac, FSU

Pick by Mylo

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota would love to trade this pick for a scenario like what Utah did to have the leap from team with potential to playoff contender. But no trades today. And boy is Minnesota gifted with something amazing. Jonathon Isaac is available here and the Timberpups are able to grab a replacement for Shabazz Mohammed. Even better Isaac can develop into a stretch 4 in today's NBA and be a great person to pair next to KAT in the offense. THANK YOU ORLANDO.

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8. New York

Lauri Markkanen, Arizona

Pick by DWest

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

New York needs a point guard, but make no mistake: If this guy falls to them at #8 they'd be very foolish not to pick him. Markkanen has proven to be a talented floor spacer who can not only hit the three, but hit it consistently. He also has a decent post game and solid footwork. Two talented 7-footers who can hit from downtown could make the Knicks very scary if they are coached properly.

[Editor’s note: New York is rumored to have their other 7 footer on the market: Kristaps Porzingis.]

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9. Dallas

Frank Ntilikina, Strasbourg

Pick by Nate de la Cruz

The Mavs would gladly take the French PG if the Knicks pass him up. The Mavs are searching for that potential star PG of the future who they can pair next to Harrison Barnes and 1 more year of Dirk to push for one of the last playoff spots. If Ntilikina's potential is as good as his promise he could earn the starting job within a year or two.

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10. Sacramento (From New Orleans)

Malik Monk, Kentucky

Pick by Jazzyman

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Collins, Donovan Mitchell, and Luke Kennard are all tempting selections at this point. However, Malik Monk is a high-level talent who is slipping in this mock draft. If I were the Kings, I would gladly snatch him up at #10.

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11. Charlotte

Donovan Mitchell, Louisville

Pick by James Hansen

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Miles Plumlee, Cody Zeller, Frank Kaminsky and now Zach Collins... Not this time. Michael Jordan has had his fun with stretch big men who use an spf 45 sunscreen, but it's time to go with an impact player that can play off of Kemba. Donovan Mitchell brings Charlotte the shooting and defensive combo they have been wanting from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

[Editor’s Note: At the time of drafting Dwight Howard wasn’t a Bobcat Hornet. He is now.]

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12. Detroit

OG Anunoby, Indiana

Pick by Mylo

Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

With Milwaukee no longer in the lottery to value prospects with insane wingspan who are long-term projects, it's up to Detroit to take up the wingspan mantle. OG Anunoby is a guy I think we could be talking about down the line who turns into an all-star after some good development in the vein of giannis antetokounmpo or Kawhi Leonard. But this is not the guy Detroit had on their radar. Donovan Mitchell would have been Detroit's dream. They could have traded away Reggie Jackson for some cap flexibility with Mitchell on the roster, but now? They're stuck in their salary cap woes without salary relief in sight. But ... they got a good prospect in Anunoby.

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13. Denver

John Collins, Wake Forest

Pick by Jason Walker

Brian Spurlocki-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Kennard is a very tempting pick, especially if the Nuggets feel they can't re-sign Danilo Gallinari. Zach Collins also tempts. But John Collins gets the nod because he's a true power forward (Denver already has Nikola Jokic and Mason Plumlee at center). John will give the Nuggets formidable depth underneath with his polished post scoring and rebounding prowess.

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14. Miami

Zach Collins, Gonzaga

Pick by A. Cheng

Chris Steppig-USA TODAY Sports

The starting power foward for the Miami Heat for most of the 2016-2017 season was Luke Babbitt, who averaged about 5 ppg and 2 rpg on roughly 40% shooting. With Chris Bosh no longer in the picture, suffice it to say that power forward is the biggest priority. While Zach Collins is often listed as a center, his stellar lateral quickness combined with his shooting stroke should allow him to develop as a prototypical modern 4.

[Editor’s Note: TWO COLLINS IN A ROW? BOLD CHOICE.]

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15. Portland

Justin Patton, Creighton

Pick by Kaleb Searle

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

When Dwyane Wade was hitting threes last season, the Bulls became dynamic and that's why Chicago is ecstatic to have Luke Kennard fall to them at 16. A lights out shooter that will hit shots from day one, Kennard could possibly be the steal of the draft.

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16. Chicago

Luke Kennard, Duke

Pick by James Hansen

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

When Dwyane Wade was hitting threes last season, the Bulls became dynamic and that's why Chicago is ecstatic to have Luke Kennard fall to them at 16. A lights out shooter that will hit shots from day one, Kennard could possibly be the steal of the draft.

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17. Milwaukee

Harry Giles, Duke

Pick by Tavan Parker

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

WIth Jabari Parker's injury concerns and Greg Monroe likely leaving in FA after next season, the Bucks could be looking for more frontcourt depth to build around their promising core of Giannis, Middleton, Brogdon, and Thon. The once highly touted Giles also comes with an injury history, but the Bucks drafting record shows they are willing to take risks and swing for the fences. If he pans out this could be a scary group in a year or 2.

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18. Indiana

Bam Adebayo, Kentucky

Pick by DWest

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

The Pacers need help at pretty much every position. The end of the 1st round is a bit of a crapshoot, but I think Indy goes BPA here, and that player seems to be Bam Adebayo. He's got serious rebounding abilities, can play above the rim, and may be a much-needed upgrade at power forward. If he can add a mid-range jump shot, he could be a solid complement to budding star Myles Turner.

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19. Atlanta

T.J. Leaf, UCLA

Pick by Jason Walker

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta needs size to begin with, but with Paul Milsap potentially leaving in free agency, drafting a big becomes all the more necessary. The Hawks likely would have wanted Bam Adebayo to fall to them, but Leaf gives them the shooting that you want out of the modern NBA power forward.

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20. Portland (From Memphis via Denver and Cleveland)

Justin Jackson, North Carolina

Pick by Kaleb Searle

Chris Steppig-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson's slide ends here. With their salary cap situation, Portland would be wise to try to get out from under the awful Evan Turner contract they cornered themselves into last year. Jackson could take some of Turner's 25 minutes per game and give the Blazers similar production at a fraction of the cost.

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21. Oklahoma City

D.J. Wilson, Michigan

Pick by Nate De la Cruz

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

It's time to start putting the pressure on a certain former Jazz player to play defense(I know it's never going to happen). Wilson showed maturity and the potential to contribute right away as a bench player with how he played in the tournament(16 ppg). The upside for Wilson lies in his defensive capabilities. If he can blossom on that end of the court he would have all of Kanter's minutes within a couple of years.

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22. Brooklyn (From Washington)

Jarrett Allen, Texas

Pick by REXDunk

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Allen has some incredible physical tools and there's a chance he could become something special. He's not tall enough to play center but he has a ridiculous 7'5 ¼" wingspan and 9'1 ½" standing reach. His game will require a LOT of polishing but Brooklyn is not in "win now" mode. They need to draft based on talent and ability. If Allen is still on the board when the Nets are up next they have to take him, if only because of his elite athleticism.

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23. Toronto (From LA Clippers via Milwaukee)

Semi Ojeleye, SMU

Pick by Jazzyman

Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Versatile stretch forward who would be able to space the floor off the bench, shooting well from 3 in college. He could be a solid backup for years to come, complimenting Toronto's inside presences.

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24. Utah

Derrick White, Colorado

Pick by Austin

Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

The Jazz are in a very interesting spot here. We don't know what the team will look like when free agency begins. Last season's team didn't have any glaring weaknesses. I'm tempted to take a high risk, possible high reward player here. There are many ways this pick could go, but I'm going with Derrick White. At 6'5" he has great size for a combo guard. He shot 40% from three last season and was Colorado's main shot creator. This is somewhat of a safe pick as he is 23 years old, but White could immediately help the Jazz at arguably one of their weakest spots.

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25. Orlando (From Toronto)

Ike Anigbogu, UCLA

Pick by Tavan Parker

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Having addressed the backcourt with their first pick, the Magic look for a long term prospect to fit next to Aaron Gordon down low. Ike has an NBA body with his strength and a 7'6 wing span, despite being only 18 years old . He's definitely a project, but the Magic aren't looking to win right now so adding a player with his athleticism and potential this late in the draft is a smart move. A rebounding, shot-blocking, high energy rim-runner is something every team has a place on their roster for.

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26. Portland (From Cleveland)

Anzejs Pasecniks, Latvia

Pick via Kaleb Searle

Let's be real: Portland isn't keeping all 3 of these picks in reality. However, on the off chance that they do, a draft-and-stash prospect makes a lot of sense here. I was tempted to go with Jawun Evans here, but three rookies in one class is a lot to take on. The 7'2" Pasecniks has flashed a great offensive game already including range to the 3-point line. Another year or two overseas and he could be a dominant figure when he does come to the NBA.

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27. Brooklyn (From Boston)

Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State

Pick by REXDunk

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Pick 22 saw Brooklyn take a big man. Pick 27 addresses Brooklyn's point guard situation which leaves a lot to be desired. Jawun Evans is a talented playmaker. He's got great handles, can pass effectively, and can find his own shot despite being (generously) listed at 6' 0" tall. His ability to finish around the rim, particularly against NBA size, will take some work. Evans brings the panache Brooklyn needs.

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28. Los Angeles Lakers (From Houston)

Isaiah Hartenstein, Zalgiris

Pick by Uber

When in doubt, go for raw potential. The Lakers already got their Big Baller at #2, and might be nabbing Paul George in free agency next year. Hartenstein is a big man at 7'0 with a decent reach and solid frame. He is very raw, but could eventually turn into a serviceable backup center.

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29. San Antonio

Terrance Ferguson, Adelaide 36ers

Pick by A. Cheng

Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

It's the Spurs, so naturally someone with star potential falls to them, gets developed, and goes on to extend the Spurs dynasty for another 5 years.

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30. Utah (From Golden State)

Kyle Kuzma, Utah

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Pick by Austin

I'm tempted to go with former Lone Peaker, Frank Jackson. However, I don't feel confident in his ability as a point guard. Kuzma makes too much sense here. He's a versatile scorer, fitting the mold of a modern day stretch 4. He only shot 32% from three last season at Utah, but his form is pure. He's quick laterally and in transition. He's a decent rebounder at nearly 6'10". He's also a great playmaker. With the PF spot being a big question mark for the current Jazz, this pick gives the team another option. He has the experience to contribute off the bench possibly right away depending on how the Favors, Diaw, and Lyles situation plays out.