NBA Draft 2017

The NBA Draft is on Thursday June 22^nd in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center; (home of the Nets who will not be relevant for the next decade) that much we are sure of but after the start it could be complete mayhem. This is the first year I can remember with so many questions and trade rumors swirling around the draft, there really is no consensus #1 guy. We have already seen the #1 overall pick traded from the Celtics to the Sixers, with the Celtics getting the #3 pick and future picks.  Most people have Markelle Fultz going #1 but what if the Sixers traded for the #1 pick to take Lonzo Ball, who the Lakers covet at #2? If Lonzo is gone do the Lakers trade the #2 pick and some of their young prospects for Paul George? There are a number of All-Star caliber players being mentioned in trade rumors: Paul George, Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, and Kristaps Porzingis just to name a few. Now, I know that there are always rumors leading up to the draft but this year is different. You hear more rumblings from players and NBA analysts.

There are so many teams in the lottery that have major holes that could be filled through the draft or through trades. For me this draft is loaded with a few franchise type players and a number of All-Star type players. Point guards Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, De’Aaron Fox, and Dennis Smith; and wing players Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, Malik Monk and Jonathan Issac could all be corner stone guys for some of the franchises in the lottery. All of these players are ready to start and have tremendous potential. But if you are the Lakers, trading for Paul George is an extremely intriguing option even if it costs you the #2 pick. George is arguably a top 10 player in the league and something the Lakers have been missing. If the lottery teams do this right they could set themselves up for a bright future. The Sixers have “The Process” with Ben Simmons last years #1 pick, Joel Embiid the 2014 #3 pick, and the #1 pick in this years draft. The Celtics lost to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals this year and have the #3 pick in the draft and the Kings have the #5 and #10 picks for a franchise that has been lost in turmoil for years.

My team, the Timberwolves, have the #7 pick and have a young core of players that could challenge for the Western Conference in the near future. Being at #7 they are on the fringe of getting one of those top flight prospects. However, I hope come Thursday the Wolves trade Ricky Rubio and the #7 pick to move up into the top 5. I do not remember the last time being this excited for an NBA draft and come Thursday I will be sitting on my couch taking it all in.

Come back next week for my take on the art of drafting and building a team through the draft in today’s NBA.